It has been a challenging start to the year for Victoria.
Severe weather has driven destructive bushfires and flooding, causing widespread damage and impacting thousands of people and businesses.
Whilst we have been lucky across the hills and foothills, we are all too aware of the impacts of living in an area prone to climate-related disasters.
If you would like to help and have the means to, the Victorian Government has launched the 2026 Victorian Bushfire Appeal to support fire-affected communities across the state.
Donations will fund both immediate relief and longer-term recovery programs identified by local communities in partnership with charities and local organisations and 100 percent of donations will go directly to fire-affected communities – the Government will cover all administrative costs
to ensure funds reach those in need as quickly as possible.
You can donate online at vic.gov.au/2026-Victorian-Bushfire-Appeal or donate by phone on 1800 837 733 (M-F 9am-5pm).
Although our area was not directly impacted by the fires, many have still felt the strain of severe heat, dense smoke, and extreme fire danger. These conditions remind us how quickly fire risk can escalate, and how important preparedness remains throughout the summer.
My heartfelt thanks goes to all our emergency services, and in particular our CFA and SES volunteers who continue to deploy on strike teams across the state, leaving their own families to help protect others.
Across the fire danger period, please continue to monitor VicEmergency warnings and Fire Danger Ratings and ensure your fire plan is ready to enact.
Last month I was pleased to see successful grants for three of our local emergency services through the Victorian Government’s Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP).
As part of the 2025-26 round, the following services received funding for new
vehicles:
Emerald SES – Toyota Hilux 4WD
Monbulk CFA – Rescue Support Vehicle
Silvan CFA – Medium Tanker.
These investments make a real difference on the ground and ensure our volunteers have the equipment they need to carry out their important work.
MONTROSE QUARRY
Many across the Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Ranges have expressed strong concerns about Boral’s proposal to expand the Montrose Quarry, putting operations closer to homes and primary schools and removing over eight hectares of native bushland.
Community members have described years of intense noise and dust from the Quarry’s activities and are justifiably worried about the impact that Boral’s expanded area will have on the places where they live, learn and work.
I have been advocating strongly to the Minister for Planning for our community in opposing the proposed expansion and requesting that a full Environmental Effects Statement (EES) be required as part of the assessment of their application.
I was delighted to attend the Community Open Day to celebrate 125 years of Puffing Billy (I think he’s looking exceptionally good for his age)! Free tickets for locals were snapped up within hours.
The good news for those who missed out is there will be more Community Days with free rides for hills folk to come.
Keep an eye out on their website and socials for more information.
Stay safe and well,
Daniela
