Colac Otway Fire Event - FAQs

Material donations can't be accepted at this time.

Financial donations to a registered organisation

GIVIT

People who wish to help are encouraged to donate through GIVIT, which is coordinating donations for this recovery and working with support organisations to ensure help goes where it’s needed most.

Wildlife Victoria

Each year Wildlife Victoria’s Emergency Response Service responds to hundreds of thousands of calls from the Victorian public seeking assistance for sick, injured and orphaned wildlife. You can donate to the organisations summer appeal via their website: https://www.wildlifevictoria.org.au/

CFA Victoria

CFA is extremely grateful for the many generous donations and fundraising efforts which will support the organisation and the important work of their brigades in protecting our communities. You can donate directly to your local brigade via the CFA & Brigades Donation Fund: CFA & Brigades Donations Fund | CFA (Country Fire Authority)

Victorian Bushfire Appeal 2026

Donations to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal can be made by credit card through Westpac’s secure online payment system, PayWay. All donations over $2 are tax deductible. For more information visit: Victorian Bushfire Appeal 2026 – donate now | vic.gov.au

Emergency Fodder Support Program

Contact the Victorian Farmers Federation to find out how you can support the delivery of fodder to fire-affected farmers through their Emergency Fodder Support Program. Visit The Voice of Victorian farmers | Victorian Farmers Federation to find out how you can get involved.

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteering Victoria

Volunteering Victoria is the state peak body for volunteering, focusing on advocacy, sector development, and the promotion of volunteering. Search Volunteering Victoria's database of volunteer opportunities: Search for volunteer roles - Volunteering Victoria

Australian Red Cross

The Australian Red Cross supports communities across the country. They are a key stakeholder that has supported Colac Otway Shire Council, and other Council's across the state, to open Emergency Relief Centres in communities that have been impacted by these fire events. Find out about their volunteering opportunities on their website: Volunteering | Australian Red Cross

Local Service Organisations

Join a local service organisation like Lions Australia, Rotary Australia or Apex Australia. If you'd like to find out about other volunteer opportunities in the Colac Otway Shire, the Colac Community Hub's Community Directory provides a wealth of resources in your community.

Bushfires can contaminate rainwater tanks with ash, debris, dead animals or fire retardants.

• Do not drink tank water that looks, smells or tastes unusual
• Disconnect tank downpipes during fire risk events where possible
• Only reconnect downpipes after roof cleaning or good rainfall

If your tank water may be contaminated, it may need professional cleaning. Boiling water does not remove all chemicals such as fire retardants.

For more information visit Better Health Channel: Bushfires and your private drinking water supply

Emergency Relief Payments

Emergency relief payments are available for eligible people impacted by the fire to help meet immediate needs.

You may be eligible if:

• Your principal place of residence was damaged or destroyed and you cannot live in it, or
• Your principal place of residence was in an evacuation warning area, and you evacuated, and
• You have unmet immediate relief needs.

Support officers from the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing are available to help people apply.

You can:

• Call the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 560 760 (press 0, then 1), or
• Get information online at VicEmergency

Have personal identification (ID) with you if you can. This could be a: 

• driver licence 
• Medicare card 
• letter or bill with your name and home address. 

Need an interpreter?

Call the VicEmergency hotline on1800 226 226. Press 9 for an interpreter.

Please note:

The VicEmergency Hotline is experiencing a very high number of calls about the current fires and relief payments. There may be a delay in answering your call. If you can’t speak to a support officer immediately you will receive a call back, which may be from an unknown number.

Smoke and Air Quality 

Smoke from bushfires can affect health, particularly for older people, young children, pregnant people and people with heart or lung conditions.

To reduce risk:

• Stay indoors where possible and keep windows and doors closed
• Avoid outdoor exercise when smoky or during extreme heat
• Use air conditioning on recirculate if available
• Stay cool and hydrated and avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day

If you have trouble breathing, chest tightness or feel unwell, seek urgent medical help and call 000. For health advice, call Nurse-on-Call on 1300 60 60 24.

More information about smoke, heat and health is available from the Victorian Department of Health: Bushfires and public health.

VicEmergency-Community-Newsletter-Monday-12-January-2026.pdf(PDF, 1MB)

VicEmergency-Community-Newsletter-Tuesday-13-January-2026.pdf(PDF, 315KB)

Bushfires can damage septic systems, pipes, pumps and lids.

• Avoid walking or driving near your system until it has been inspected
• Do not touch untreated wastewater or effluent
• Reduce water use until the system is checked and repaired

Have septic systems inspected and repaired by a licensed plumber before returning to normal use.

Support, services and information for businesses affected by and recovering from Victorian bushfires can vary based on the specific nature and location of the event.

Visit Business Victoria's Recovering from a Bushfire online resource page: Recovering from a bushfire | Business Victoria

This page will be regularly updated with new information as it becomes available.

Transfer Stations and Drop-Off Facilities

Council's waste Drop-Off Facilities (Beech Forest, Lavers Hill, Carlisle River and Gellibrand) are CLOSED. 
Council's Transfer Stations in Apollo Bay and Alvie are OPEN from 10am to 4pm.

Kerbside Collection

Council is monitoring the situation and will update residents if there are changes to Wednesday's scheduled kerbside collections.

Safe disposal of dead stock

A bushfire, flood or drought can result in animal carcasses requiring disposal.

Guidance is provided in the Disposing of carcasses after bushfire, flood or drought section of Agriculture Victoria’s website. 

General information on-farm biosecurity and animal disease is available on the Agriculture Victoria website.