Relief and Recovery

Council ensures effective arrangements are in place in the lead up to, during and in the aftermath of an emergency.

Relief

What is a Relief Centre?

Emergency Relief Centres are established to provide the basic needs of people displaced and/or impacted by an emergency event. They are established on a short-term basis to provide temporary shelter, food, registration, and related emergency assistance.

Emergency Relief Centres may not open for every event.

The location of a Relief Centre is only advertised to the community after all details of the emergency situation are known.

Location details will be broadcast in a variety of ways including:

Where possible, the community is encouraged in the first instance to seek accommodation with family and friends, as this may be a better option during an emergency as a relief centre may be crowded, noisy, hot or cold.

Animals at an Emergency Relief Centre

  • Wherever possible, residents should make short-term accommodation arrangements for their companion animals, e.g. with friends or family outside of the affected area, or at a boarding facility.
  • There is likely to be minimal provision for animals at an emergency relief centre and all animals are to be under control of their owner and confined to a cage or leash at all times. Council will assist where possible to provide short-term relocation of livestock and horses.

Recovery

A recovery centre/s may be opened following a major emergency after the immediate danger has passed. They are usually located within the affected community or town to provide a place where impacted individuals can go to access information and support services to aid their recovery from the emergency, such as:

  • Insurance
  • Accommodation and financial support
  • Meeting place for the community to come together and support one another

Recovery Information

During a significant emergency relief and recovery information can be found on the VicEmergency website and Council's website and Facebook page.

Recovery information may include:

  • Recovery centre locations
  • Recovery information
  • Support services
  • Road closures
  • Park closures
  • Returning home
  • Health and wellbeing
  • Water
  • Air quality
  • Livestock and pets

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