WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2026
RATES HELP FOR FIRE VICTIMS ■ Murrindindi Shire Council says that it recognises that for affected local people may feel overwhelming, and knows that Council rates will be the last thing on their mind right now. “Council is committed to supporting fire-affected property owners and renters as they begin the process of recovery and rebuilding,” a Shire representative said. “Tailored arrangements will apply for properties within the fire footprint. “For properties where a home or major outbuildings were destroyed or significantly damaged: ■ All impacted properties will have detailed on-site assessments undertaken to confirm the extent of damage. ■ The information from the assessment will then be used to help inform a revaluation of the property. This is expected to take several months to complete. ■ An adjusted (supplementary) rates notice will then be issued, reflecting the change in property value from January 8 to 30 June 2026. “No rates payment is required from affected ratepayers until after they receive the revised supplementary notice. For properties inside the fire footprint that did not sustain property loss, the due date for full rates payment or the third instalment for people paying by instalment will be extended to March 31. For properties outside the fire-affected footprint, there will be no change to the standard due dates.
PHOTO: ABC
● Livia Bonazzi, Murrindindi CEO
$9000 FINE OVER UNSAFE BATTERIES
● Leanne Hughson, Energy Safe CEO
■ 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.