MITCHELL-STRATHBOGIE EDITION
56 PAGES
AVENEL • BEVERIDGE • BROADFORD • CLONBINANE • DONNYBROOK • EUROA • HEATHCOTE JUNCTION • KILMORE • LONGWOOD NAGAMBIE • PUCKAPUNYAL • SEYMOUR • TALLAROOK • TRAWOOL • VIOLET TOWN • WALLAN • WANDONG
Welcome to new readers
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2026
$160 MILLION IN EXTRA SUPPORT
■ The Federal and State Governments have nnounced $160 million in additional support to help fire-affected families, businesses and primary producers. Local government areas eligible for support are Mansfield Shire, Mitchell Shire, Murrindindi Shire and Strathbogie Shire. This funding builds on the more than $210 million in already announced relief and recovery supports for bushfire-affected Victorians, including emergency relief payments, grants for primary producers, access to emergency accommodation, and support for councils. An additional $112 million will expand the state-coordinated Clean-up Program with Forge Solutions now appointed as lead contractor. Uninsured and underinsured community assets – like sporting facilities and community halls – will also be able to access the clean-up program if clean-up is not covered by other programs. An additional $20 million will expand the Emergency Recovery Support Program. The program helps people affected by the bushfires navigate and access the government support programs and services they need. Further funding is being provided to ensure immediate accommodation supports are available to those who need it, while we work to provide medium to longer term accommodation options best suited to the recovery needs of individuals, families and communities. Financial counselling and advisory support for businesses
Inside This Week FREE ADS FOR FIREAFFECTED BUSINESSES
Throughout 2026, our ‘Phoenix’ section will offer absolutely free 40-word ads for local fireaffected businesses. Lodge your ad at phoenixnews.com.au
Places To Go OUR DIRECTORY TO THE BEST DESTINATIONS
● Jacinta Allan, State Premier
$9000 FINE OVER UNSAFE BATTERIES
● Leanne Hughson, Energy Safe CEO
■ The Local Paper is expanding its readership throughout the bushfire recovery area, with free hard copies available fortnightly at: ■ Avenel. Ampol Foodary, Cnr Jones St and Ash St. Imperial Hotel, 17 Mitchell St. W.B. Gadd General Store, Queen St. ■ Euroa. Euroa Newsagency and Lotto, 61 Binney St. Shell Roadhouse, Hume Fwy. Strathbogie Shire Council offices, 109a Binney St. ■ Longwood. Longwood General Store, 12 Down St. White Hart Hotel, 63 Hill St. ■ Nagambie. Newsagency, 310 High St. ■ Violet Town. Supermnarket and Newsagency, 32 Cowslip St. Additionally extra copies are being provided at: ■ Beveridge. Hunter’s Tryst. ■ Flowerdale. Boots 'n Bobs Brew 'n Bakes ■ Strath Creek. The General Store ■ Tallarook. Tallarook Hotel. Free digital editions are available weekly at www.LocalPaper.com.au Up to $1720 in free advertising is available for all businesses in the bushfire recover area: go to www.phoenixnews. com.au
■ A solar and battery system company has been fined $9000 without conviction in the Seymour Magistrates’ Court after admitting to offences related to unsafely installing home batteries at five Victorian properties between December 2023 and July 2024, including one that sparked a minor house fire. Greenova Pty Ltd pleaded guilty on January 8 to three charges under the Electricity Safety Act 1998 for not complying with electrical installation requirements and failing to have the battery energy storage systems assessed by a licensed electrical inspector before connection. Energy Safe Victoria became aware of the offending conduct after receiving information from the Country Fire Authority about a battery fire at a Toolamba property. Further enquiries revealed Greenova had installed battery systems at other properties in Caveat, Doncaster, Marong and Launching Place, similarly without arranging the legally required electrical inspections. Magistrate Allison Vaughan said the battery fire “could have had catastrophic results”, highlighting the incident as a clear example of why electrical safety laws require installations be independently checked before connection. Energy Safe CEO Leanne Hughson said the outcome sent a clear message about the importance of complying with mandatory battery safety requirements: “Installing battery systems safely is not optional and neither is arranging the required electrical inspections before switching them on,” Ms Hughson said.
The ‘Places To Go’ section has the latest news on travel – in Victoria, interstate and internationally. By road, by rail, by air, by water – Places To Go covers it all. Starts February 18 issue.
YOUR GUIDE TO COUNTRY LIVING
Life in the bush has its own unique set of challenges. Check our ‘Victorian Rural News’ section for the latest info. VicRuralNews.com.au