As the Murrindindi community continues the long road to recovery following the January fires, the scale of the task has made clear the importance of councils working together, alongside State and Federal Government support.
Murrindindi Shire Council covers more than 3,880 km2 - that's more than five times the size of Singapore, and operates with around 160 full-time equivalent staff. When a major emergency strikes a rural municipality of this size, additional capacity is essential to ensure communities are supported while everyday services continue.
Through the Municipal Association of Victoria's emergency management support program, councils from across Victoria have stepped in to assist Murrindindi Shire Council during the early and critical stages of recovery.
More than 90 staff from over 15 Victorian councils have stepped in to assist our community, including close to 50 from the City of Whittlesea, as well as teams from as far afield as Port Phillip, Bass Coast, Wyndham and Wellington councils. In addition, we have engaged a further 50 to 60 contractors to deliver critical infrastructure and recovery works across the Shire, including several local workers.
Murrindindi Shire Council is also working closely with fellow Longwood fire‑affected councils - Mitchell, Strathbogie and Mansfield - under a shared agreement to support our communities wherever help is needed, regardless of council boundaries or administrative barriers.
This means that if residents see staff wearing another council's badge working on local roads, trees, bridges or entering fire‑impacted properties, they are there on behalf of Murrindindi Shire Council. Community members are encouraged to give them a friendly welcome and know they are part of a coordinated recovery effort supporting our Shire.
The additional workforce is playing a vital role across our Shire, supporting recovery information hubs, undertaking on-site property assessments, inspecting roads, bridges and trees, and helping maintain essential council services while recovery work continues at pace. To date, hundreds of kilometres of roads have been assessed and more than 250 property assessments completed, helping to restore access and provide certainty for affected residents and landholders.
Council also acknowledges the significant support from the Victorian and Australian Governments, with funding covering the majority of costs associated with employing additional staff for the recovery effort. This investment ensures Council can respond to increased demand created by the emergency while continuing to deliver core services to the community.
Around half of Council's own workforce has been personally affected by the fires. Having extra staff on the ground means Council can continue supporting the community, with minimal disruption to services.
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Mayor of Murrindindi Shire, Damien Gallagher, said collaboration had been central to the recovery efforts.
"Our community has been through an incredibly difficult time, and our priority is making sure people feel supported at every stage of recovery.
The additional staff who have joined us from other councils, are making a real difference on the ground. Their contribution is helping us provide timely, practical assistance to residents, farmers and businesses where it's needed most."
"We also want to acknowledge the strength of our community and the way people continue to support one another. Recovery will take time, but Council will walk that path alongside our community and stay focused on what is needed at each step."
The numbers
Murrindindi Shire is by far the most impacted local government area in the January fires.
Damage is still being assessed, and to date includes:
- Houses destroyed: 193
- Sheds and other structures lost: 519
- Vehicles and machinery lost: 691
- Total stock/animal losses (including bee hives): 5672
- Fencing destroyed: 4524 km
- Agricultural land impacted: 561.4 hectares
Road and bridge assessments at a glance:
- 451 kilometres total roads to be assessed
- 376 kilometres roads currently estimated as directly impacted
- 43 kilometres roads open, including speed restrictions
- 87 kilometres tree works underway
- 228 kilometres tree assessments underway
- 73 bridges assessed
- 9 bridges closed
- 48 bridges damaged but remaining open
