Fire and Other Emergencies

Fire fighting and essential water replacement

Due to continued dry conditions across the state, the Victorian Government is again implementing an Essential Water Replacement Scheme during the current 2008/09 bushfire season. The aim of the scheme is to relieve genuine hardship in the community by replenishing essential private water supplies that have been used for fire fighting by the emergency services. The water replacement scheme recognises that, while farmers understand the urgency of fire fighting, the drought situation means their basic water interests have to be protected too. If taken for fire fighting purposes, a reasonable and sufficient volume of essential water will be provided to sustain the: health of affected residences and pets health and productivity of their stock. Every effort will be made to replenish essential private water supplies within 48 hours of the affected land-holders request. To lodge a request for water replacement contact your local council – www.mav.asn.au Download the Victorian Government's Water Replacement Policy: Replacement of Essential Water Following Bushfire (PDF - 30 KB) Guidance document for local authorities and agencies on implementing the policy: Guidance for Implementation (PDF - 160 KB) Please note: Document(s) on this page are presented in PDF format. If you do not have the Adobe Reader, you can download a copy free from the Adobe website.