Colac Otway Flood Event - FAQs

Complete this Emergency Information Request form and a Colac Otway Shire officer will contact you. You can also call Council on 5232 9400 during regular business hours and speak to an officer.

Injured Native Animals

If you find an injured native animal, you can:

• Contact Wildlife Victoria on 03 8400 7300
• Visit Wildlife Victoria's website.
• or find the closest wildlife carers and organisations using this tool

   

VicEmergency-Community-Newsletter-FLOOD-Friday-16-January-2026.pdf(PDF, 418KB)

Contaminated Water

• If your private or town water supply looks, smells or tastes unusual, do not use it. 
• Floodwater and flood-related debris can contaminate water supplies.
• Do not use potentially contaminated water for drinking, preparing food or bathing. Do not give it to animals.
  
  For information about drinking water after a flood, contact your water corporation or visit the Department of Health website.

Water Quality

Avoid contact with the water at Kennett River, Wye Rive and Cumberland River. Keep your pets away from the water and do not let them drink it.

EPA are investigating the water quality after the heavy rainfall and flash flooding along the Great Ocean Rd. Flood waters can carry dangerous debris and pollution that affects your health.

Floodwater and your health: https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/floodwater-and-your-health

Material donations can't be accepted by Council at this time.

Donations of goods

Please contact your nearest charitable organisation before donating clothing, toys or household items.

• Second Sails Op Shop, Apollo Bay. Phone 5237 1240
• Lorne Op Shop, Lorne. Phone 5289 5043
• Salvos Stores, Colac. Phone 5234 0610
• Vinnies, Colac. Phone 5231 2738
• Lifeline Op Shop, Colac. Phone 5219 3997
• The LEAP Shop, Colac. Phone 5231 3260

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/

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.

Replacement passport after a natural disaster 

If your passport has been lost or damaged in a natural disaster, you may be eligible for a free replacement. 

Call 131 232 - the nearest passport office will then contact you and guide you through the process to get a new passport. 

 For further information, click the link Replacing your passport after a natural disaster or visit the to visit the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Natural disasters Office website: https://www.passports.gov.au/help/natural-disasters

Replacement driver licence

During the 2019-20 Bushfires, VicRoads were able to provide drivers with a replacement licence at no fee. The VicRoads website does not currently have information about free replacement licences for people who have lost their licence as a result of a natural disaster, there is now precedent to request a fee waiver.

Call VicRoads on 13 11 71 to request a replacement licence.

For further information, click the link Replace your licence or learner permit or visit the VicRoads website: Replace your licence | VicRoads

If your property has a septic system and has been affected by floodwater, you should get a licensed plumber or service technician to assess your septic system for safety and function.

Using a damaged system can cause sewage to back up into your house or garden. This could cause a human health and pollution risk.

After flooding, there may be damage to:

• shallow PVC pipes, which may be blocked
• plastic tanks and sumps (concrete tanks are less likely to be damaged, but should still be inspected)
• disposal or irrigation systems and pipework
• pumps and other equipment with electrical components.

You may need to replace your system.

For more information visit: Manage an onsite wastewater management system | epa.vic.gov.au

Disposal of Flood Waste (including contaminated waste)

Flood affected waste can be dropped off at the Apollo Bay Transfer Station free of charge.

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.

Call your insurance company to organise any insurance matters and remember to take photos of damage.

If your property is damaged, the Insurance Council of Australia has information about:

• What to do after a storm
• The insurance recovery and claims process

You can also contact:

• A financial counsellor through the National Debt Helpline - 1800 007 007
• The Australian Financial Complaints Authority for independent dispute resolution for financial complaints
• Disaster Legal Help Victoria to speak to someone about your legal questions.