The City of Boroondara is liaising with other councils and state government agencies to determine the best way to help communities affected by bushfires.
Council is also exploring whether staff can be offered in a voluntary capacity to help during these difficult times.
Bushfire updates
- Victorian Bushfire Information Hotline 1800 240 667
- For fire information www.cfa.vic.gov.au
- For road closures www.vicroads.vic.gov.au
- Callers with hearing, speech or communication impairments with access to a TTY (teletext) machine can call during business hours on: TTY 1800 122 969.
Displaced residents
- Checking on family members or friends in affected areas 1800 727 077 or email enquiries@redcross.org.au.
- Overseas inquiries about family or friends in bushfire areas +61 3 9328 3716.
Financial assistance
- Department of Human Services - emergency assistance including grants www.dhs.vic.gov.au
- Centrelink disaster payment information 180 2211 or www.disasterassist.gov.au/
Donations
Victorian Bushfire Relief Fund
Relief organisations have reported difficulties managing the large influx of material aid (clothing, white goods, food etc) that has been generously donated.
At this time people are being asked to instead donate to the Victorian Bushfire Relief Fund launched by the Victorian Premier and the Prime Minister. It is being coordinated by the Red Cross and overseen by an independent advisory panel.
- Call the Red Cross on 1800 811 700 or donate online at www.redcross.org.au
- Donate at any Bendigo Bank or any branch of the ANZ, Commonwealth, NAB or Westpac banks.
- Donate at any Bunnings store or Australia Post outlet.
Note: Red Cross will not deduct any funds from this appeal for administration costs. All funds received will be kept in a Trust Fund set up by the Victorian Government. All interest earned on donations will be invested back into the Appeal.
- Urgent blood donations are not needed at this time. However people should continue donating over the coming weeks to maintain supplies. Call 13 14 95 to make an appointment or visit www.donateblood.com.au to fill out an online registration form.
Housing/emergency accommodation
The Department of Human Services is coordinating donations of billeting/housing and emergency accommodation for Victorian bushfire victims.
People wishing to donate accommodation should contact the Victorian Bushfire Public Accommodation Donation Line by calling 1800 006 468 between 8am to 8pm.
Personal support/counselling
- Lifeline 131 114 or www.lifeline.org.au
- Parentline 13 22 89 or www.parentline.vic.gov.au
- Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 or www.kidshelp.com.au
- Department of Human Services www.dhs.vic.gov.au/emergency
Animal welfare
Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is responsible for animal welfare response and recovery activities with the support of the RSPCA and Department of Sustainability and Environment.
- DPI Customer Service Centre on 136 186 for advice on nearest DPI coordination centre.
- RSPCA temporary emergency accommodation for animals 03 9224 2222 or www.rspca.org.au. RSPCA is also providing wildlife assistance.
- Animal Aid in Coldstream (Yarra Ranges Shire) for care of domestic pets affected by fires. Contact 0418 982 070.
- Wildlife Victoria 24 hour contact for injured animals 1300 094 535 or www.wildlifevictoria.org.au.
Donations
- To make fodder donations for livestock, contact the Victorian Farmers Federation 1300 882 833 or www.vff.org.au
- To make pet food donations, contact your local RSPCA www.rspca.org.au
Volunteering
- Victorian Bushfire Volunteer Hotline:
1300 366 356. - Apply to be a volunteer at Volunteering Australia - Volunteering registration form.
Camberwell Sunday Market offers bushfire relief
The Rotary Club of Balwyn with the assistance of the Rotary Club of Boroondara, the Rotary Club of Canterbury and Rotary Club of Kew on Yarra will donate all money collected at the Camberwell Sunday Market for the next four weeks starting from this Sunday 15 February 2009. A minimum of $100,000 or more will be donated to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal.
