MILDURA Rural City Council area is now under a State of Disaster order along with 17 other local government areas.
Issued by the Victorian State Government early on Saturday morning, the order hands the Minister for Emergency Services a range of powers and is in force for seven days unless ended early.
“(F)ollowing advice from the Minister for Emergency Services and the Emergency Management Commissioner, I declared a State of Disaster in 18 fire-affected local government areas and one alpine resort,” Premier Jacinta Allan said.
“This declaration gives our authorities extra powers to confront an emergency of extraordinary scale and danger.
“This does not change specific advice currently in place for anyone in fire-affected areas. But it sends a clear message to those who have been advised to leave: if you can, you must.”
Powers under a State of Disaster include the ability to limit or change government departments functions, overriding other legislation and laws, forcing people to evacuate and controlling movements within disaster areas, and the ability to take possession of people’s property to deal with the disaster.
“The declaration allows authorities to order evacuations, control movement through dangerous areas, and act as decisively as possible,” Ms Allan said.
“It ensures that every part of government; every department, every agency, every authority; is focused on one priority: protecting life.
“It also means that if someone insists on staying in an area where their life is in danger, authorities have the power to force them to leave.
“These fires are widespread, fast-moving and devastating. Taking this step is about one thing: protecting Victorian lives.”
The State of Disaster declaration comes with two uncontrolled fires burning in the thr Rural City of Mildura municipal area, one south of the Mallee Highway between Boinka and Walpeup, the other in the north-east of the Hattah Kulkyne National Park after starting at Colignan.
MRCC Mayor Cr Ali Cupper acknowledged the State of Disaster declaration and to follow the orders of authorities.
“The fire conditions over the last few days are the worst the state has seen since Black Saturday,” she said. “We cannot be too vigilant.
“I urge anyone located near the fire zones to exercise absolute caution and follow all the advice of Emergency Management Victoria. End of story.”
Cr Cupper also had praise for first responders at the forefront of the fire fights.
“I know I speak for the entire community when I express my deepest gratitude to our CFA and SES crews and their support teams,” she said. “You truly are the best of us.”
Other near by municipalities under the State of Disaster declaration include Horsham Rural City and Greater Bendigo City.
