The 2019–20 bushfire season has been unprecedented in intensity, duration and loss of life and property. The annual bushfire season usually runs from December to March, however the prolonged drought and record breaking temperatures has seen fires heavily impacting regions in NSW from as early as September 2019, and continuing across Basin states at catastrophic levels into the new year.
This webpage is intended to provide a selection of direct links to emergency information, warning and recovery resources for impacted states across the Murray-Darling Basin. We also acknowledge the impacts of fires across Tasmania and Western Australia at this time.
Basin-wide information
The Murray-Darling Basin Authority has published information on its website regarding water quality and safety in the Basin, including an updated water quality map:
NSW Information
The NSW Government has published a number of resources relating to water quality following the fires:
VIC Information
Information from the Victorian government includes:
For up to date information regarding bushfires in your region, please click on the below links:
Australian Capital Territory Current emergency information: ACT Emergency Services Agency Media Conferences: https://www.facebook.com/pg/actemergencyservicesagency/videos/ |
New South Wales Current emergency information: https://www.emergency.nsw.gov.au/ NSW Rural Fire Service Media Conferences: https://www.facebook.com/pg/nswrfs/videos/
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Queensland Current emergency information: https://www.qld.gov.au/emergency Queensland Fire & Emergency Services Media Conferences: https://www.facebook.com/pg/QldFireandEmergencyServices/videos/
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South Australia Current emergency information: SA Country Fire Service Media Conferences: |
Victoria Current emergency information: https://www.emergency.vic.gov.au/ Victorian State Control Centre Media Conferences: |
It is normal for a distressing or frightening event to affect us physically, mentally and emotionally, even if we are not directly impacted. Long running fires, drought and other extremes in our local and extended areas can be extremely stressful and can trigger emotional, physical and psychological reactions. There are a number support services available to assist you and those closest to you up recover from the strong emotional or physical reactions you may be experiencing, and we recommend you take care to be aware. If at any time you are worried about your mental health or the mental health of a loved one, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, your doctor or community health centre.
Register, Find, Reunite Services (Help to locate loved ones or to let people know you’re safe):
http://www.register.find.reunite/
https://register.redcross.org.au/
There are a number of ways to get involved and help support the communities that have been impacted by the bushfires. Donations of goods and services will be valuable in the months ahead when distribution networks have been established. However the MDA recommends donating money to a registered not-for-profit organisation helping with the relief and recovery effort, or Community Relief Fund. Experience tells us that donation of money is much more effective and provides more flexibility than the donation of material items or pre-loved goods. The following links provide a selection of agencies where your donations will help to combat the bushfires.
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To support our fire-fighters and volunteers, please make a donation via the following websites: |
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FINANCIAL ASSISTANCEThe following information provides as a quick reference for MDA communities and members in need of help which can be sourced through the various government relief and recovery support options: Australian Government Financial Assistance Disaster Recovery Payment: https://www.disasterassist.gov.au/Pages/disaster-recovery-payment.aspx Disaster Recovery Allowance https://www.disasterassist.gov.au/Pages/disaster-recovery-allowance.aspx Volunteer Firefighters – Financial Support (NSW Bushfires 31 AUG 19 onwards): https://www.disasterassist.gov.au/Pages/disasters/current-disasters/New-South-Wales/northern-nsw-bushfires-31082019-onwards.aspx QLD Government: Emergency Hardship Assistance: https://www.qld.gov.au/community/disasters-emergencies/financial-assistance/immediate-hardship-assistance NSW Government: Rural Assistance Authority: https://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/disaster-assistance Disaster Recovery Grants: https://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/grants/disaster-recovery-grants/bushfires VIC Government: Disaster Recovery Payments: https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/victorian-bushfires-december-2019-australian-government-disaster-recovery-payment Disaster Recovery Allowance: https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/victorian-bushfires-december-2019-disaster-recovery-allowance Emergency Re-Establishment Payments: https://services.dhhs.vic.gov.au/personal-hardship-assistance-program SA Government: State Emergency Relief Fund: https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/emergencies-and-safety/recovery/donating Centrelink Disaster Recovery Payment: https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/south-australian-bushfires-november-2019-australian-government-disaster-recovery-payment Disaster Recovery Allowance: https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/south-australian-bushfires-november-2019-disaster-recovery-allowance |
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Image credits:
Banner image: NSW RFS Adam Stevenson
Photo 1: Dean Lewis EPA
Photo 2: Brett Hemmings Getty Images