Damaged or destroyed fences and rehabilitation of fire control lines after bushfire
The information here outlines what assistance the government will provide for damage to fences from bushfires or fire suppression activity. Contact the Victorian Bushfire Information Line (VBIL) on 1800 240 667 for access to any of the help and services detailed below.
Damage to fences caused by fire suppression agencies
Government will repair or pay 100% restoration costs of fences destroyed or damaged on private land as a result of machinery used in the control of bushfires by fire suppression agencies (this includes damage to fences to enable access by emergency vehicles).
The fire agency will pay for repair to, or replacement of, fences upon agreement with the landholder before works begin (excludes emergency repair to contain stock in which case the fire agency may inspect the repairs after the emergency works).
Damage caused by individuals or corporations to their own or other’s property as part of their own fire suppression activities (for example construction of their own fire control lines) will not be paid for by the fire agency.
Other damage caused by the creation of fire control lines
Government will fully fund the repair of fire control lines created as part of bushfire suppression activities, regardless of the origin of the bushfire. This includes the re-establishment of top soil and undertaking of erosion control measures so that the landholder can replant pasture or trees. Government will also provide pasture seed for the re-sowing of pasture by the landholder where the control line was established.
Call the VBIL on 1800 240 667 or visit these websites:
DSE's Fencing and Fire Control Line Rehabilitation Policy
Department of Primary Industries
Damage to private fences by bushfire
Primary producers – whose income from farming accounts for greater than 51% of their total income – are eligible to seek assistance in the form of grants and/or concessional loans including the Commonwealth and State Government’s Cleanup and Restoration Grants, which can be used to assist with restoration of fences destroyed or damaged as a result of bushfire.
All landholders are expected to have insurance cover for boundary and internal fences, in the same way any business venture or private householder should protect and insure their assets.
Call Rural Finance on 1800 255 925
Or visit the Rural Finance website.
The Victorian Government has provided direct financial support to the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) to employ coordinators in each of the fire affected areas and to support the volunteers who are helping rural landholders in restoring boundary fencing.
Damage to fences adjoining Crown land by bushfire
Government will reimburse reasonable insurance excess to a maximum of four hundred dollars ($400) on all insured Crown land boundary fences destroyed or damaged by bushfires regardless of the tenure of the land where that fire originates. If you have a ‘no excess’ policy you will also be eligible for reimbursement. Government will also repair or replace crown land boundary fences burnt by the fire agencies undertaking backburning during a bushfire emergency.
Call the VBIL on 1800 240 667
Or visit the Department of Primary Industries
How do I volunteer to help or donate materials?
The VFF is registering details of volunteers willing to help with fencing activities and donations of fencing materials.
To register call the VBIL on 1800 240 667 or VFF on 1300 882 833 or visit the Victorian Farmers Federation website.
Fact Sheet
The information above is also available on the following fact sheet.
Fencing assistance fact sheet (PDF - 517 KB)
Fencing and Fire Control Line Rehabilitation Policy
Following the 2006/07 Great Divide bushfires, the Victorian Government reviewed its Fencing and Fire Control Line Rehabilitation Policy for the 2008/09 Bushfire Season. The new policy provides for assistance to those affected by bushfire in relation to damage done by fire agencies in the construction of fire control lines on private land and damage to fences. The policy also outlines the assistance that will be provided for the replacement or repair of Crown land boundary fences.
Download the policy
A copy of the policy is available for downloading:
Policy - Fire control line rehabilitation and repair of fences damaged by bushfire (PDF - 35 KB)
For further information
Fire affected land-holders should note that assistance is also available for agricultural businesses via a number of other assistance measures; some of these include purchasing of fencing equipment. See the following websites for details:
DHS website
Those landholders requiring further information or assistance regarding fencing replacement or repair and fire control line rehabilitation should:
Contact their local DSE or CFA office
Call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667