council alert
February Weather Event
This page will be updated as new information becomes available
This content was last updated on:
February 23, 2024 1:47 PM

This page contains important info for anyone who has been affected by power outages in Yarram and surrounds. Updates will be provided below as they become available.

Free Storm Waste Disposal at all Transfer Stations

Free disposal of storm waste available this week (situation to be assessed on Sunday 25 February). Details as below:

Anyone living in Wellington Shire can now dispose of storm related waste (spoiled food, garden, general waste etc) for free between now and the end of this weekend. Here’s what you need to know:

  • Available at any waste facility
  • Normal opening days and times apply
  • All waste types (as long as it’s storm damaged)
  • Proof of residence required (Drivers License or rates notice)

Please find waste facility opening hours here.

Update 7 - Monday 19 Feb, 11.45am

Power has now been restored to the majority of properties in Wellington Shire this morning. Approximately70 customers are back offline across Tarra Valley, Won Wron and Devon North today. AusNet expects these customers to have power restored by end of day today (Monday)

No community meals available tonight (Monday) due to lack of need and interest.

24-hour access to showers and device charging remains available at the Yarram Recreation Reserve.

 

Storm waste

Free disposal of storm waste available this week (situation to be assessed on Sunday 25 February). Details as below:

Anyone living in Wellington Shire can now dispose of storm related waste (spoiled food, garden, general waste etc) for free between now and the end of this weekend. Here’s what you need to know:

  • Available at any waste facility
  • Normal opening days and times apply
  • All waste types (as long as it’s storm damaged)
  • Proof of residence required (Drivers License or rates notice)

Please find waste facility opening hours here.

Support available

Following the extreme weather event, multiple avenues of compensation and financial assistance are available for those affected, see the factsheet to learn more. Please note that council is not responsible for providing the assistance outlined in the factsheet so please reach out to the providing agencies or organisations to seek eligibility and arrange support.

Update 6 - Sunday 18 Feb, 10.15am

In good news, power has continued to be restored across yesterday, with less than 200 local residents still without power this morning.

We know that Won Wron in particular is still without power - here’s the support that is available today for anyone who needs it:

  • Free meal tonight (Sunday) at the Devon North Church Hall from 6pm.
  • Showers and charging available at the Yarram Recreation Reserve (this will continue until full power is restored).

No meals in Yarram or Binginwarri tonight due to lack of interest and need.

For anyone with continued relief needs who might be closer to Foster, Leongatha, Korumburra or Mirboo North, South Gippsland Shire Council has generously extended their relief services to us. Details below:

  • Showers – Churchill Leisure Centre, Leongatha SPLASH, Baromi Park (Mirboo Nth), Korumburra, Toora, Foster and Poowong swimming pools.
  • Charing/internet (BYO charger) – Milpara Community House (Korumburra), Foster and Toora swimming pools, WIFI available at South Gippsland Shire Council HQ in Leongatha (select public WIFI).

South Gippsland Shire Council is providing updates via their website at www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au/stormeventupdate if you need up to date info.

Update 5 - Saturday 17 Feb, 9.30am

Power, showers and meals - Saturday 17 Feb

Saturday morning update for anyone in Yarram and surrounds still without power or connectivity (please help spread this info if you see it)

Free meals:

Community-led free meals will be held tonight (Saturday) at Binginwarri Hall and Devon North Church Hall at6pm.

Showers and power:

Showers and power for charging still available 24/7 at the Yarram Recreation Reserve.

Disposing of waste for no-fee

Now that power is starting to be restored throughout Yarram and nearby areas, a reminder that anyone impacted can drop off spoiled food and green waste at the Yarram Transfer Station for no-charge.

If you’re in Dargo and keen to dispose of spoiled food, you can do so for no-fee this weekend by visiting the Dargo Transfer Station (green waste isn’t accepted at this site).

  • Yarram Transfer Station open and accepting both spoiled food and green waste today (Saturday), Sunday and Monday, 9am-5pm each day.
  • Dargo Transfer Station open and accepting spoiled food only today (Saturday) 1-5pm and Sunday 10am-3pm. The Dargo Transfer Station does not accept green waste.

A reminder that if you are dropping off spoiled food or green waste for no-charge, you will need to show proof of residency.

Please also note that we are currently accepting domestic quantities of waste to ensure we can manage the large amounts being received.

If you have larger or commercial amounts of waste that you need to dispose of (including businesses),if you can, please keep hold of it until next week and contact our Waste team on 1300 366 244 on Monday who can provide advice on a case-by-case basis.

Alternatively, and if it is easier for you - you can dispose of spoiled food waste in your kerbside bins.

Update 4 - Friday 16 Feb, 5.30pm

Power starting to be restored to Yarram and nearby areas.

Fuel now available at the Yarram BP Service Station.

Free community dinners still going ahead in Yarram, Binginwarri, Woodside and Devon North. Phone charging available.

Access to no-fee waste will proceed over the weekend as below:

  • Spoiled food and green waste accepted for free at Yarram Transfer Station today, Sat 17, Sun 18, and Mon 19 Feb from 9am-5pm each day. Spoiled food only at the Dargo Transfer Station today, Sat 17 Feb 1-5pm and Sun 18 Feb, 10am-3pm. This facility does not accept green waste.

A reminder that if you are dropping off spoiled food or green waste for no-charge, you will need to show proof of residency.

Please also note that we are currently accepting domestic quantities of waste to ensure we can manage the large amounts we expect to receive. If you have larger amounts of waste that you need to dispose of (including businesses), please keep hold of it until next week, and contact our Waste team on 1300 366 244 on Monday who can provide advice on a case-by-case basis.

Emergency Relief Payments via the Victorian Government are available.

Emergency relief payments are $640 per adult and $320 per child, up to a maximum of $2,240 per eligible family. Plese note that the payment is not based on how much money you earn. Payments can fund food, clothing, accommodation and medication with receipts provided.

If you think you are eligible for a relief payment, please call the Vic Recovery Hotline on 1800 560 760. More information here.

The Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund has generously stepped in to support our region once again and are running a special appeal. Call Council on 1300 366 244 to find out about eligibility. Donations can be made here.

Update 3 - Friday 16 Feb, 11am

Update on community-led shower, power (charging) and meals today in Yarram, Port Albert, Bingi, Woodside and Devon North

If you're in Yarram and surrounds and your power is still out, here's some support organised by the local community:

  • Yarram Community House - free lunch, midday today with phone charging available.
  • Yarram Community House - free dinner, 6-7.30pm with phone charging available until 7.30pm.
  • Yarram Recreation Reserve - showers and toilets available 24/7 with access to phone charging.
  • Port Albert Watersports and Safety Centre - Phone charging available 12-6pm (no meal tonight)
  • Binginwarri Hall - free meal happening at 6pm with phone charging available.
  • Woodside Recreation Reserve - free BBQ thanks to local Lions Club at 6pm.
  • Devon North Church Hall - free meal at 6pm with phone charging available throughout dinner service.

PS - Dargo's power is back up and running and no-fee waste is available today, 11am-3pm at the Dargo Transfer Station.

Again, thank you to everyone in the community who is helping others to get back on their feet. Our Emergency Management team continues to work alongside Yarram and surrounding communities to get access to services and community meals up and running.

Update 2 - Thursday 15 Feb, 5.30pm

In response to the ongoing power outage emergencies affecting our region, Wellington Shire Council is committed to supporting the community's recovery efforts.

Council is working closely with Yarram Neighbourhood House and Yarram Community Emergency Planning Group to coordinate and deliver this support, providing essential services to those in need, particularly in impacted areas including Yarram, Port Albert, Binginwarri, Woodside and Devon North.

Thanks to coordinated efforts, communities impacted by prolonged power outages in the south of Wellington Shire now have access to free community meals, 24-hour access to toilet and shower facilities and connected locations to charge phones and devices.

Key support available includes:

  • Free community dinners in Yarram, Port Albert, Binginwarri, Woodside, and Devon North
  • 24/7 access to showers and toilets at Yarram Recreation Reserve
  • Phone charging facilities in Yarram, Port Albert, Binginwarri, and Devon North

Specific locations for this support below:

  • Yarram Neighbourhood House
  • Yarram Recreation Reserve
  • Port Albert Watersports and Safety Centre
  • Binginwarri Hall
  • Woodside Recreation Reserve
  • Devon North Church Hall

Some communities in affected areas are facing the challenge of disposing of spoiled food and green waste due to extended power outages. To support these communities, Council will be accepting spoiled food and green waste at the Yarram and Dargo Transfer Stations for no-fee as follows:

  • Yarram and surrounding areas: spoiled food and green waste will be accepted at the Yarram Transfer Station on Friday 16, Saturday 17, Sunday 18, and Monday 19 February from 9am to 5pm.
  • Dargo and surrounding areas: spoiled food only will be accepted at the Dargo Transfer Station. This transfer station does not accept green waste. The transfer station will operate Friday 16 February from 11am to 3pm, Saturday 17 February from 1pm to 5pm and Sunday 18 February from 10am to 3pm.

Update 1 - Thursday 15 Feb, 3.45pm

Important info for anyone who has been affected by power outages in Yarram and surrounds.

If you or someone you know needs essential services such as bathrooms, phone charging or a cooked meal, please see below:

  • Yarram Community House - free meal provided tonight between 6pm to 7.30pm. Phone and device charging available today until 7.30pm.
  • Yarram Recreation Reserve - 24/7 access to bathrooms and showers, and areas to charge your phone or digital devices.
  • Port Albert Watersports and Safety Centre - phone charging available today (Thursday) 12 – 6pm and tomorrow (Friday) 12 – 6pm. Free community meal tonight at 6pm.
  • Binginwarri Hall - there's no generator at this location, so no ability to charge phones or devices. There is a free meal tonight at 6pm.
  • Woodside Recreation Reserve - free BBQ run by the Lions Club tonight from 6pm.
  • Devon North Church Hall - free meal at 6pm with phone and device charging available during dinner period.

Full customer service functionality is currently available at the Yarram Hub, this includes card and electronic payments.

If you have phone connectivity and need to contact us, please call 1300 366 244.

We know that there's a large amount of food and green waste to be disposed of - our team is working on a plan to help, and we'll update this page soon.

Thank you to everyone in the community who is helping others to get back on their feet. Our Emergency Management team continues to work alongside Yarram and surrounding communities to get access to services and community meals up and running.

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