Out of control blazes at Longwood, Harcourt, Walwa; Premier Jacinta Allan announces State of Disaster; Dozens of homes destroyed
Premier Jacinta Allan declared a state of disaster for 18 local government areas as well as a mountain resort in Victoria; This will give emergency services in these areas extra power to force people to leave fire-affected areas.
The Prime Minister announced the declaration overnight after receiving advice from the emergency services minister and the emergency management commissioner and citing the “extraordinary extent and danger”.
The areas included in the declaration are: Alpine Shire, Ararat Rural City, Colac Otway Shire, Corangamite Shire, East Gippsland Shire, Golden Plains Shire, Greater Bendigo City, Horsham Rural City, Lake Mountain Alpine Resort (Unincorporated). Mansfield Shire, Mildura Rural City, Mitchell Shire, Moira Shire, Mount Alexander Shire, Murrindindi Shire, Pyrenees Shire, Strathbogie Shire, Towong Shire and Wellington Shire.
“This does not change the specific advice currently in place for people in fire-affected areas,” Allan said. “But this sends a clear message to those advised to leave: You should leave if you can.
“The declaration allows authorities to order evacuations, control movement in dangerous areas and act as decisively as possible. It ensures that every unit of government, every ministry, every department, every authority focuses on a single priority: the protection of life.”
“This also means that if someone insists on remaining in an area where their life is in danger, authorities have the power to force them to leave. These fires are widespread, fast-moving and destructive.”
“Taking this step is about one thing: protecting Victorian lives. And it sends a clear message: If you’re told to go, go.”
