14 January 2026

Disaster Recovery Allowance announced

Services Australia has just announced availability of the Disaster Recovery Allowance for people living or working in Mount Alexander Shire who have lost some or all of their income because of the current bushfire event.

Keep an eye on the Services Australia website for more details as they are provided.

Claims open: Thursday 15 January at 2.00pm.
How to claim: You can claim through your myGov account or come in person to discuss with Service Australia staff at the Recovery Hub at the Castlemaine Town Hall this week 11.00am - 5.00pm.

For an updated list of agencies attending the Recovery Hub, head here.

Federal and state governments announce new recovery measures for fire-affected communities

Close to $100 million in new recovery funding for communities has been announced today, including targeted grants, loans, and support services for households, councils, and primary producers.

• Community organisation grants
  Up to $75,000 for locally-led community recovery initiatives.

• Prolonged power outages payments for households
  Households without power for 7+ days in a two-week period are eligible for $2,380 per week, for up to 3 weeks.

• Primary Producer Recovery Grants
  Up to $75,000 per eligible primary producer for livestock disposal, infrastructure repair, operational restoration.

• Concessional Loans for Primary Producers
  Up to $250,000 in loans for asset damage for equipment repair, infrastructure rebuild, livestock purchase, working capital. Also available - up to $100,000 in loans for income loss. Information on eligibility and how to apply will be available at https://www.ruralfinance.com.au 

• Financial Counselling
  Government is investing more than $4 million to provide financial counselling for communities impacted

Victorians can call the Emergency Recovery Hotline on 1800 560 760 for information about payments and recovery programs. 

Victorian Chamber 2026 Bushfire HR Support Helpline

The Victorian Chamber is offering FREE, practical HR guidance for business owners in our shire, with workplace relations advisers assisting with urgent HR questions, employee entitlements, and referrals to trusted contacts.

Support includes: 

• Pay and leave if staff are stood down (annual, personal/carer’s, unpaid leave, and related options) 
• Employee entitlements when staff cannot safely attend work (including leave and flexible arrangements) 
• Guidance on pay when sending staff home versus a government directive 
• Information on payments for employees affected by the fires 
• Referrals to additional support, helplines, and agencies (e.g. recovery grants, business advice, employment support)  

Call 03 8662 5461 Monday to Friday 9.00am – 5.00pm.

Tell us how your business has been affected by the current fire event

We want to know if your business has been affected by the current fire event in our region.

Council wants to know how many businesses have been impacted, and to what extent. We can connect you to support services and advocate on behalf of shire businesses for state and federal support.

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Mount Alexander Shire Council
email: business@mountalexander.vic.gov.au  web: www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au

Mount Alexander Shire Council acknowledges that the traditional custodians of this
land, the Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung peoples, proudly survive. We acknowledge their continued practice of custom and their close cultural, spiritual, physical, social, historical and economic relationship with the land and waters that make up
their country, which includes Mount Alexander Shire.