Council services on Catastrophic or Extreme Fire Danger Rated days
General Council Services changes
Schools and Kindergartens changes
Events changes
There is a new Australian Fire Danger Rating System in place from September 2022. We are currently reviewing our policies to ensure our services align. For further information go to the CFA website.
General Council services changes
On days of Extreme or Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating we will try to keep services running, but for the safety of our community and staff we may make some changes or cancel them all together. We will get advice from the CFA but may make these changes:
Extreme Fire Danger Rating:
- Visitor Information Centres in Lorne, Anglesea and Winchelsea may be closed. Torquay Visitor Information Centre may remain open pending advice.
- Anglesea landfill may open only from 5am to 10am.
- Anglesea waste transfer station may open from 9am to 10am.
- Lorne and Winchelsea transfer stations may close - contact Council on 5261 0600 to confirm.
- Kerbside waste collection may be collected from 3am to 10am. Roadside litter bins may be emptied from early in the morning.
- Afternoon immunisation sessions in Lorne and Anglesea may be cancelled.
- Winchelsea swimming pool and health club may remain open pending advice.
- Delivered meals may operate with an altered schedule.
- Community engagement sessions and on-site meetings involving Council staff may be rescheduled.
- Mobile library services may not operate in areas of elevated fire risk (including Lorne, Anglesea, Aireys Inlet and Deans Marsh).
- Senior Citizens Centres in areas of elevated fire risk (including Lorne, Anglesea, Aireys Inlet and Deans Marsh) may be advised to close.
Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating:
- No kerbside waste collections will operate, collection services will be be rescheduled.
- Anglesea Landfill and Waste Transfer Station will be closed.
- Lorne Waste Transfer Station will be closed.
- Winchelsea Waste Transfer Station will be closed.
- Visitor Information Centres in Lorne, Anglesea and Winchelsea will be closed. Torquay Visitor Information Centre may remain open pending advice.
- Afternoon immunisation sessions in Lorne and Anglesea will be cancelled.
- Winchelsea swimming pool is likely to be closed pending advice.
- Delivered meals services will not operate and home and community care services will be cancelled.
- Community engagement sessions and on-site meetings involving Council staff may be rescheduled.
- All sport and recreation centres will be closed.
- Council’s Community Bus service will not operate.
- The Geelong Regional Mobile Library service will not operate.
- All Senior Citizens Centres will be advised to close.
- Some services at Council’s Torquay office may operate with reduced capacity.
Schools and Kindergartens changes
The Victorian Department of Education and Training governs arrangements for schools in areas that experience a high bushfire risk. Schools in Lorne, Aireys Inlet, Anglesea, Bellbrae and Deans Marsh are affected on days of Catastrophic and Extreme Fire Danger Rating.
The Department of Education and Training also puts in place arrangements for kindergartens that are on the Bushfire At Risk Register as follows:
- Parents receive at least 48 hours notice in writing of any closures on potential days of Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating.
- All kindergartens follow their emergency plans on days of Catastrophic or Extreme Fire Danger. Kindergarten staff can provide more information on these plans to parents.
To find out more, visit the Department of Education and Training website.
Event changes
Events scheduled for days that are declared a Catastrophic or Extreme Fire Danger Rating may run pending advice from the CFA. Check the relevant event websites for details.
To confirm any arrangements for council-run facilities, contact Council within 24 hours of the Catastrophic/Extreme fire danger day on: 5261 0600 or check our Facebook or Twitter pages.