Recovering from the impacts of fires and floods on parks and forests is important. Our role involves:
- rehabilitating and restoring the damage caused by fire control operations
- reopening our strategic road network and protecting it from erosion
- restoring forest and park infrastructure
- protecting water quality and supply
- protecting cultural heritage
- wildlife rescue
- helping other agencies with the recovery of the local community when a fire has affected the community's safety or economic or social well-being.
We try to reopen any closed areas as soon as possible. Reopening, however, may take some time. Infrastructure may need to be replaced or hazards such as falling trees may make the area unsafe.
Read past recovery programs reports
Recovery of the natural environment
Generally, native vegetation will recover from fire over time. How long this takes, depends on how particular ecosystems respond to fire, and the frequency of successive fire events in the same area.
To help some ecosystems recover, rehabilitation and regeneration activities may include:
- controlling invading weeds, whether from seed stock in the soil or from surrounding areas;
- controlling or preventing invasions of feral animals;
- stabilising areas at risk of soil erosion and replanting them with local indigenous plants; and
- replanting vegetation damaged by fire control activities.
Control of soil erosion is extra important within water catchments or where sedimentation will otherwise affect river or wetland ecosystems.
Bushfires over the last decade have left a legacy of millions of dead or severely damaged trees in Victoria.
The potential of falling trees and branches can pose significant risks to firefighters, our staff and Parks Victoria staff travelling through or working in affected areas, and the general public. Together with Parks Victoria, we are working to target and prioritise strategic roads, fire breaks, recreation sites, dams and helipads across Victoria’s public land.
What is a hazardous tree?
A hazardous tree is typically defined by one or more of the following characteristics:
- Dead or decaying tree or major branches.
- Suspected loose or broken branches.
- Significant lean with recent cause or indicators of failure.
- Evidence of longitudinal cracking.
- Evidence of roots lifting, or an undercut or disturbed root system.
- Other indicators of serious weakness based on local knowledge and conditions.
Hazardous Tree Fact Sheet (PDF, 399.7 KB)
Hazardous Tree Fact Sheet (accessible) (DOCX, 2.4 MB)
Where are the works taking place?
Works will target and prioritise strategic roads, fire breaks, recreation sites, dams and helipads across Victoria's public land.
In Victoria, there are approximately 60 000 kilometres of boundary fencing constructed by private landholders along the boundary of public (Crown land) and private land (not including Crown land river frontage). The policy is based on shared responsibility and our government encourages landholders to assess and manage their risks with regard to fire taking up adequate insurance where available.
Landholders are expected to manage risks to their assets from the potential impact of bushfire.
All landholders are expected to have appropriate levels of insurance cover for boundary and internal fences, in the same way any business venture or private householder should protect and insure their assets.
In line with the Fences Act 1968, the State Government of Victoria does not have any ownership or financial stake in fences along the boundary of private and public land except in cases where specific fencing agreements have been entered into with landholder.
It is the responsibility of the owner of private land to fence their property and secure stock within their boundary.
DELWP has a policy about fences and fire control lines after bushfires.
Repair of rural fencing and fire control line and stabilisation policy (PDF, 1.2 MB)
Repair of rural fencing and fire control line and stabilisation policy (DOCX, 1.7 MB)
Some landholders that have boundaries alongside national parks, state parks or state forests may be eligible for assistance following bushfire.
To find out whether you are eligible:
- For fires that start on public or crown land, contact us.
- For fires that start on private land, contact your local CFA District Operations Manager.
This scheme helps to relieve hardship in the community by replenishing essential private water supplies that have been used by fire services during bushfire emergencies.
The Victorian Government has a policy regarding replacing essential water used during bushfire fighting operations.
Essential water policy (PDF, 461.5 KB)
Essential water policy (accessible) (DOCX, 860.5 KB)
CFA and Forest Fire Management firefighters have the legislative powers to take water from any waterway or water source for firefighting purposes.
The water owner can request replacement of essential water under this scheme.
The water replacement scheme recognises that, while farmers understand the urgency of firefighting, their basic water interests have to be protected too.
If taken for firefighting purposes, a reasonable and sufficient volume of essential water will be provided to sustain the:
- health of affected residences and pets
- health and productivity of stock
To lodge a request for essential water replacement, download and complete the Essential Water Replacement form then email it to Emergency.recovery@delwp.vic.gov.au.
Essential water replacement form (PDF, 705.4 KB)
Essential water replacement form (accessible) (DOCX, 56.1 KB)
Your local council, DELWP or CFA Office can assist you with lodgement if required.
Essential Water Replacement requests must be submitted within 3 months of the essential water being taken for bushfire fighting operations.
Support services
The following support services can assist our communities following an emergency.
General assistance | For up to date information on the range of support available for emergency events across Victoria, visit VicEmergency Relief and recovery. Your local council may have the information you need, visit Know Your Council to find contact information for your local council. |
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Managing your health | The Department of Human Services website has a range of resources to assist with managing health issues after an emergency, including:
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Personal counselling | If you are dealing with stressful events you might find it helpful to talk them over with a local GP or with a member of the clergy. You might also find it useful to contact a counselling or personal support service or a telephone help line.The following personal and family counselling hotlines are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week:
For information about depression, anxiety and substance-use related disorders in the Australian community visit beyondblue or call on 1300 224 636. |
Other assistance | Other assistance may also be available from the following organisations: Salvation Army |
Page last updated: 08/03/23