Emergencies can occur without warning, impacting individuals, families, and communities. Benalla Rural City is committed to equipping residents with the knowledge and resources to prepare for, respond to, and recover from fire, flood, and other emergencies.

Call Triple Zero (000) in life-threatening emergencies.

For the latest incidents and warnings, visit the VicEmergency website. 

Residents with accessibility needs can access key resources through the Deaf Emergency Information resource and National Relay Service at 1800 555 677.

Additional help includes the VicEmergency Hotline at 1800 226 226, with translation services available for non-English speakers via 131 450.

Emergencies can disrupt essential services, leaving people without help for up to 72 hours. Preparing in advance can ensure safety and resilience.

You can handle any emergency better if you are prepared!

Emergencies can be hard to predict and emergency services may be unable to reach you in a disaster.

What will you do in the first 72 hours if you have no services, such as: 

1. Create an Emergency Plan

   • Consider evacuation routes, emergency contacts, and essential items for survival.
   • Download the Emergency Plan Template from Emergency Management Victoria.

2. Prepare an Emergency Kit

   • Include water, non-perishable food, medication, first aid supplies, torches, and warm clothing.

3. Stay Connected and Updated

   • Tune in to ABC Local Radio (97.7 FM) for official updates during emergencies.

Are you ready for flood?

For flood/storm emergency call the SES on 132 500

For life threatening emergencies, call 000 (Triple Zero)

The SES has developed Local Flood Guides to explain flood risks.

Visit the SES Flood Guide for Benalla Rural City. 

Floods in Benalla Rural City

Historically, floods have had serious consequences for our Rural City’s residents and businesses.

In October of 1993, Benalla Rural City floods caused the following:

• 1,500 people were evacuated from their homes
• 500 houses and businesses were flooded or cut off
• Five bridges were damaged or destroyed and roads were cut
• 400km of rural fencing and farm machinery was damaged
• Telephone services, power, sewage and water supplies were damaged which led to interruptions of service

How to prepare for flood

• Prepare an emergency plan. Visit SES Victoria for information and to download the Benalla Local Flood Guide.
• Monitor emergency.vic.gov.au for information on flood emergencies. Listen to emergency broadcasters including ABC FM 97.7 during a flood emergency.
• Monitor the Bureau of Meteorology for information on river heights.
• Floodwater is dangerous – never drive, walk or ride through floodwater.
• Check on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours if a flood threatens.
• Visit the Goulburn Broken Community Flood Intelligence Portal. This web portal provides easy access to the latest available flood inundation maps and property specific flood risk reports. 

More Flood Advice

Detailed flood advice for your property can be obtained from the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority.

Catchment Management Authorities and locals Councils have a joint responsibility to provide property specific flood information to property owners, developers and other interested stakeholders.

To help meet this responsibility, the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (GBCMA) and several Councils (Greater Shepparton City, Benalla Rural City, Moira Shire, Strathbogie Shire) have co-funded the development of the Goulburn Broken Community Flood Intelligence Portal

The portal provides easy access to the latest available flood inundation maps and property specific flood risk reports. 

Features include:

• Comprehensive user guide

• View flood maps  (riverine flood maps, historical floods, design floods including the 1 in 100 year flood

• Search for a property of interest 

• Download a property specific flood risk report including flood information to assist with risk management, planning and insurance

This information provided on the portal does not replace the need for planning permits under the Municipal Planning Schemes, nor written advice from Catchment Management Authorities.

Are you ready if a bushfire threatens you or your community?

Understanding your risk, planning and preparing for a bushfire is crucial.

Preparing for Fire Season

The CFA restricts the use of fire in the community during the Fire Danger Period. Fire restrictions come into force. You cannot light a fire in the open air (burn-off) without a permit.

Read more about the Fire Danger period and what restrictions are enforced on the CFA website.

The state of Victoria is one of the most fire-prone regions in the world. The Country Fire Authority (CFA) helps people to prepare for bushfires.

For information on how to plan and prepare your property, visit the CFA website.

Go to CFA’s information to help know what to do before and during a fire, including creating a bushfire plan and fire ready kit.

Know your Bushfire District

Benalla Rural City is located in the NORTH EAST Fire District.

It’s important you know this while staying, visiting or travelling through Benalla Rural City.

Bushfire Ratings & Restrictions

Visit the North East Fire District page on the CFA website for Fire Danger Ratings.

Not sure about what you can and can’t do during particular fire danger periods? Visit the CFA website to explore what you can and can’t do during declared fire danger periods.

Is there a planned burn near me?

Visit the Forest Fire Management website to see if there is a planned burn near you. Note that CFA burns are not currently on the website. You can find this information on the local CFA Facebook page.

Burning off

To ensure fire services know about your planned burn, notify the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA) by email or call ESTA on 1800 668 511.

You need to let us know if you plan to burn off. The CFA guide to burning off gives great tips about planning a burn off. You do need a permit to light a fire in the open air.

What to do if your home is damaged by fire

The CFA has great information on their website to consider in the immediate period after a fire in your home.

You need to consider the safety of you and your family as a priority. This includes whether gas and electricity supplies are safe and whether the structure of your home is stable. You need to notify insurance as soon as you can – it’s an obligation you are likely to have to comply with your insurance contract.

If you need somewhere to stay, family and friends are usually best. If you don’t have this option, contact BeyondHousing  – 1800 825 955 who can assist with emergency accommodation.

NSPs are places of last resort when evacuation isn’t possible. Benalla Rural City has five NSPs, including Devenish Hall and Tatong Recreational Reserve Community Hub. Remember, NSPs are not guaranteed safe and are a last resort option.

Leaving early on high-risk fire days is the safest plan.

If you’re impacted by an emergency, several support options are available to assist with recovery.

• Flood Recovery Hotline: Call 1800 560 760 for assistance with temporary accommodation, cleanup, and more.
• Emergency Financial Assistance: Explore grants for flood or bushfire recovery on the Services Australia and Business Victoria websites.
• Mental Health Support: Find out more about mental health support services available to in Benalla on our Mental Health Support page.
• Emergency relief: Knowing what to do is critical to help you and your family to recover quickly from the emotional and financial impacts of emergencies. Explore support available through the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing website. 

We’re all in this together. By preparing and participating in community readiness programs, we can reduce risks and foster resilience. For detailed resources and local emergency updates, visit the Benalla Rural City Council website regularly or contact the Emergency Management team for assistance.

Stay safe. Stay informed. Stay prepared.