We recommend downloading the VicEmergency App to your phone or checking their website for the most accurate and up to date information. Also tune into Radio Mansfield 99.7FM for latest updates.
VicEmergency Website
The VicTraffic website highlights road closures in our area and has the most accurate road closure information
VicTraffic Website
The Mansfield Emergency Relief Centre operated for 11 days and helped provide shelter, food and drink, medical support to over a thousand members of the Mansfield Shire community along with some from further afield. It closed its doors on 20 January 2026 as the shire left relief efforts behind to focus on recovery.
Location: Mansfield Visitor Information Centre
Address: 175 High St, Mansfield VIC 3722
Phone Number: 0429 948 630
Opening Days: Monday - Friday
Opening Hours: 9am - 3pm
if you would like to volunteer to help with the impacts on the Longwood fire please fill out the attached form below
Longwood Bushfire Volunteer Registration Form
Field response: Agriculture Victoria have teams of field staff on the ground supporting farmers, prioritising animal welfare and carrying out impact assessments across the state. Any farmers needing support with animal welfare should call 1800 226 226.
Livestock disposal: Agriculture Victoria have set up a Livestock Disposal Advisory Service to assist landholders with managing deceased livestock. Farmers can contact the advisory service on 0407 145 077 and livestock.disposal@agriculture.vic.gov.au.
Expanded support package
Primary Producer Recovery Grants: Grants of up to $75,000 will be provided to eligible primary producers to help cover the costs of clean-up and reinstating their enterprises. Grants will open as soon as possible. Information will be available shortly at ruralfinance.com.au.
Concessional Loans for Primary Producers: Concessional loans will be available to help primary producers recover from the bushfires. Loans of up to $250,000 will be available for producers who have suffered significant damage to assets. Information will be available shortly at ruralfinance.com.au.
Prolonged Power Outage Payments: Up to $16 million will be made available in financial assistance for households impacted by extended power outages following the bushfires. Full details at energy.vic.gov.au/about-energy/safety/power-outages.
Financial Counselling: Over $4 million will be used to provide financial counselling for communities impacted by the bushfires, helping Victorians access emergency assistance, navigate recovery systems and stabilise their finances so they can rebuild. The funding will boost the Victorian Farmers Federation’s Financial Capability Support Program, giving primary producers tailored financial advice.
Community Recovery Officers and Hubs: More than $15 million to establish Community Recovery Officers and Recovery Hubs. Councils will receive between $450,000 and $1.3 million to employ recovery staff and deliver local programs, while community organisations can apply for grants of up to $75,000 for locally led initiatives.
Other resources
"Look over the Farm Gate” grants are opening tomorrow 16 January, providing community organisations with up to $5,000 for events that support mental health and wellbeing as part of drought and fire recovery. 16 January, providing community organisations with up to $5,000 for events that support mental health and wellbeing as part of drought and fire recovery.
A range of rural charities are supporting farmers with recovery, including through fodder, fencing repairs, wellbeing services, and financial assistance. Links are available on the Agriculture Victoria website.
Social media links
The VFF are offering 5k relief packages for farmers affected by the bushfires. More information can be found on the VFF Website and applications can be made to vff@vff.org.au
Donations to the fund can also be made on the VFF Website
The VFF have also set up an Emergency Fodder Support Program for affected farmers
The VFF will coordinate the supply, transportation and distribution of fodder to landholders impacted by an emergency such as a bushfire.
How you can assist
- Farmers can provide fodder. The VFF will call for the provision of fodder, if a fodder program is activated with government.
- Transporters must register with the VFF to be eligible for a freight rebate by government. This is only available for transporters directly engaged by the VFF Emergency Fodder Program. A consignment notice issued by the VFF is required.
Emergency Fodder Supply Form
Emergency Fodder Request Form
Emergency Fodder Transport Registration Application
If you would like to make a donation towards helping those affected by the current bushfires please visit the GIVIT Website. Here you can donate to the Victoria Disaster Appeal to help people and communities in recovery, or use the GIVIT List to give an item or service needed by someone impacted by a natural disaster.
GIVIT WEBSITE
If you are looking to make a financial donation to help once the relief effort becomes a recovery effort in Mansfield Shire, please head to Community Bank Mansfield & District's Victorian Bushfire Appeal. Donations for Mansfield Shire will be spent on Mansfield Shire's recovery.
Mansfield Shire Council is seeking to understand how the recent Longwood bushfire has affected local businesses. This short survey will help Council:
- Identify businesses needing immediate support
- Advocate for state and federal assistance
- Prioritise recovery actions
The survey should take 5–7 minutes to complete. All information will be treated confidentially and reported in aggregate.
Longwood Bushfire – Business Impact Snapshot Survey
We are pleased to announce, given the latest emergency advice that bushfire activity has subsided, Mansfield Shire* is once again open to tourists provided travel is undertaken safely and responsibly.
**Excluding area with current emergency warnings - the communities to the west of our shire remain impacted by the fires and are not open to visitors. Tourists trying to access the western parts of our shire will be stopped at the road block in Bonnie Doon. Merton, Maintongoon and Peppin Point are open to residents only.
The risk posed by the bushfires is now said to be low. It is not yet non-existent but it is low-enough that we are able to open up our little shire in the High Country to guests.
We thank you all for the understanding and patience you have shown while the shire closed its doors to tourists to focus on the bushfire emergency and relief efforts.
If you make plans to come to Mansfield Shire, stay up to date via VicEmergency, VicTraffic and Radio Mansfield 99.7 for emergency advice and road closures, follow all signage and direction, and be mindful of emergency services and local residents as they continue their critical work.
Our towns and villages, rivers, lakes and mountains, remain special places to visit. Many local businesses are ready to welcome you back and show you a great time. Whether you are looking to mountain bike on Mt Buller, get your motorbike down to Woods Point, put your fishing rod in the lake at Goughs Bay or in the river at Jamieson, there's something for everyone.
Please remember that some members of our community (and many from neighbouring communities) have experienced significant loss, and recovery will take some time. Continue to extend our community your care, patience and respect.
When you’re ready, we look forward to seeing you back in Mansfield Shire - reconnecting with the unrivalled beauty of the region, supporting top-class local businesses and enjoying all that the High Country has to offer; safely and respectfully.
Representatives of all the relevant authorities gathered at the Mansfield Performing Arts Centre on Saturday 17 January to discuss the implications of the Longwood Fire on the Mansfield Shire Community. If you missed the meeting, it’s currently available to view through Mansfield Shire Council’s Facebook page.
Watch Video Recording Here