DEECA Barwon South West

DEECA Barwon South West Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action - Barwon South West region Our climate is changing and the effects are being felt around the world.

This page keeps you informed of DEECA's activities in the Barwon South West region. Victoria has set an ambitious climate action agenda with a strong focus on establishing a renewable energy sector, reducing emissions and preparing for a future with less water. At the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, we will lead this exciting work, bringing together the energy, environment, c

limate action, water, agriculture and resources portfolios, in addition to its vital role in emergency management. We are working to meet strong targets to halve emissions by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050. We are rapidly progressing work to grow a strong renewable energy sector here in Victoria to support our solar, battery and offshore wind initiatives, ensuring that people have access to reliable and affordable energy. We are supporting our agricultural, water and resources sectors to adapt and become more resilient to the effects of climate change while driving sustainable production and economic growth. Victoria has an unmatched native landscape and we continue to work with Traditional Owners and other partners to protect and preserve it, ensuring a healthy, resilient and biodiverse environment. Bringing these portfolios into a single department allows us to draw on knowledge and expertise of these critical sectors and work together to deliver the Victorian Government’s leading climate action and environmental protection agenda. Barwon South West region stretches from the You Yangs to the South Australian border. The region encompasses the local government areas of; City of Greater Geelong, Borough of Queenscliffe, Surf Coast Shire, Colac Otway Shire, Corangamite Shire, City of Warrnambool, Moyne Shire, Southern Grampians Shire and Glenelg Shire. We value the comments and contributions we receive on social media. While we encourage people to join the conversation, we will not tolerate disrespectful, offensive, crude, hateful or irrelevant comments, or comments that make another person feel unsafe. Please keep all comments and discussion respectful and courteous. You can view our full social media policy on our website.

Local community members are invited to an H5 bird flu information session in Portland.  Hear directly from our staff abo...
15/09/2026

Local community members are invited to an H5 bird flu information session in Portland.

Hear directly from our staff about the current situation, response activities and advice for the local area. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions.

πŸ“ Portland Civic Hall
πŸ“… Wednesday 23 September
πŸ•’ 7 pm to 8.30 pm

We hope to see you there.

Find out more: https://go.vic.gov.au/3T09lws

Glenelg Shire Council, Glenelg Hopkins CMA

As we see increasing reports of H5 bird flu across Victoria's coastline and into inland areas, we are preparing more pub...
15/09/2026

As we see increasing reports of H5 bird flu across Victoria's coastline and into inland areas, we are preparing more public land management staff and volunteers to be ready and able to contribute to response and sampling.

πŸ§ͺπŸ₯ΌDuring 10 sessions held across metropolitan and regional locations including Colac, Anglesea, Tidal River, Orbost, Benalla, Knox and Horsham, more than 500 people were trained on a range of topics including response, risks and protections, personal protective equipment (PPE) and sampling procedures.

DEECA's H5 bird flu surveillance program is helping us understand how the virus is affecting wildlife across Victoria, including which species are impacted and where further investigation is needed.

Community reports remain vital and help inform response decisions across the state.

If you see sick or dead birds or wildlife:
βœ… avoid direct contact
βœ… record the exact location and what you observed
βœ… report it online

πŸ”— agriculture.vic.gov.au/birdflu

πŸ‹ Celebrating 20 years of recording whales Dedicated citizen scientist, Peter Read, has been recognised for two decades ...
14/09/2026

πŸ‹ Celebrating 20 years of recording whales

Dedicated citizen scientist, Peter Read, has been recognised for two decades of recording southern right whales.

Sightings and photos submitted through WhaleFace help scientists identify individual whales, track movements and monitor this endangered species as it recovers.

Contributions like Peter’s give scientists extra eyes along the coast and help build our understanding of this endangered species as it recovers from near extinction.

Thank you, Peter - and all whale watchers - for giving science extra eyes along the coast.

πŸ“Έ Dr Kasey Stamation from DEECA’s Arthur Rylah Institute presenting Peter Read with a certificate recognising 20 years of recording whales.

πŸ”— Read more about southern right whales in Victoria https://www.ari.vic.gov.au/research/threatened-plants-and-animals/animals/southern-right-whales-in-victoria

Welcoming home another team of highly skilled incident management personnel from CanadaπŸ‘¨β€πŸš’A second contingent of 12 inci...
11/09/2026

Welcoming home another team of highly skilled incident management personnel from CanadaπŸ‘¨β€πŸš’

A second contingent of 12 incident management personnel from Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic), CFA (Country Fire Authority) and Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) returned home after supporting wildfire operations in British Columbia, CanadaπŸ”₯

Their professionalism, leadership and wealth of incident management experience were on full display throughout the deployment, helping support Canadian wildfire operations and strengthening international partnerships in emergency management.

We're glad they're home safely and ready to contribute to the upcoming bushfire season – after some well-served rest of course!

04/09/2026

With damaging winds forecast across parts of the state from Saturday morning and possible severe thunderstorms in the afternoon, there is a risk of localised power outages.

To be prepared, make sure you have access to:
πŸ“± a fully charged mobile phone with emergency contact numbers
πŸ”¦ a torch or battery-operated light
πŸ“» a battery-powered radio for alerts and updates
β›‘ an emergency kit
πŸ₯« non-perishable foods and bottled water

Stay safe by keeping clear of fallen powerlines – always assume they are live – and report any fallen powerlines to your electricity distributor.

If you are a registered power-dependent customer, ensure your power outage plan is updated and in place.

To find out how you can prepare for power outages, visit www.energy.vic.gov.au/safety/power-outages or phone 136 186.

Keep an eye on www.bom.gov.au/vic/warnings for the latest warnings.

The Anderson Point steps in Portland are closed until further notice due to serious safety concerns.  Significant erosio...
01/09/2026

The Anderson Point steps in Portland are closed until further notice due to serious safety concerns.

Significant erosion, slope deterioration and cliff instability have made the area unsafe for public access.

Large swells, heavy rainfall and coastal erosion have impacted the steps over time, causing stability issues where the steps join the cliff face.

The closure includes additional safety signage as well as barricades to both the top and bottom of the steps.

DEECA is working with Glenelg Shire Council on cliff risk treatment at Portland Cliffs.

Have questions about H5 bird flu? Join us for a community information session in Torquay. Our wildlife and agriculture s...
01/09/2026

Have questions about H5 bird flu?
Join us for a community information session in Torquay.

Our wildlife and agriculture staff will share the latest information about H5 bird flu, provide local updates, explain what to do if you see sick or dead birds or wildlife, and answer your questions.

πŸ“ Surf Coast Civic Centre (1 Merrijig Drive, Torquay)
πŸ“… Monday, 7 September 2026
πŸ•’ 5:30 to 7:00 PM

Come along to learn more and ask questions.

More information: agriculture.vic.gov.au/birdflu

Surf Coast Shire Council
Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority
Great Ocean Road Parks

Spring is the ideal time to head out to state forests  to replenish firewood stocks for next winter. Firewood collection...
01/09/2026

Spring is the ideal time to head out to state forests to replenish firewood stocks for next winter.

Firewood collection areas are now open and maps are online - https://www.ffm.vic.gov.au/firewood/find-a-firewood-collection-area

If you rely on firewood for heating and cooking plan ahead and organise your collection now.

We want you to have a good time, but is very important that when collecting firewood you do it safely.

This means understanding the conditions in the forest, ensuring you have the right equipment and checking weather conditions before you go.

Remember:
🚧 Check daily fire conditions and road closures before travelling to collection areas.
πŸ”₯ Firewood collection rules and limits apply – please do the right thing and follow them. Penalties apply for those caught breaking the rules.
πŸ’² Financial assistance is available for people on low incomes who rely on firewood as their sole source of heating and buy firewood: www.ffm.vic.gov.au/firewood/energy-concession-and-support or https://services.dffh.vic.gov.au/non-mains-energy-concession

Welcome home πŸ‘¨β€πŸš’The first contingent of 28 Victorian firefighters and specialists has returned from North America, where...
31/08/2026

Welcome home πŸ‘¨β€πŸš’

The first contingent of 28 Victorian firefighters and specialists has returned from North America, where they supported wildfire operations across Canada and the United StatesπŸ”₯

Representing Forest Fire Management Victoria, CFA (Country Fire Authority) and Parks Victoria, they helped manage more than 200 fires that have burnt nearly 12 million acres.

Thank you for stepping up to support communities across the globe 🌏

VicEmergency - Barwon South West

Human cases of H5 bird flu are very rare and it has not been shown to spread easily from person to person. As a precauti...
30/08/2026

Human cases of H5 bird flu are very rare and it has not been shown to spread easily from person to person.
As a precaution, people who regularly work or interact closely with birds, particularly sick or dead birds, should follow standard safety advice and hygiene measures.
If you come into contact with sick or dead wildlife and you develop flu-like symptoms, call your doctor for medical advice and let them know about any contact with sick or dead wildlife in the last 10 days.
If you see sick or dead birds or wildlife:
AVOID contact with sick or dead wild birds or wildlife and their environment
RECORD what you see
REPORT it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888 or online through the Agriculture Victoria website: agriculture.vic.gov.au/birdflu
For more information about H5 bird flu and human health visit: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/bird-flu-avian-influenza

Victorian Department of Health

Address

Corner Fenwick And Little Malop Streets
Geelong, VIC
3220

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

136 186

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when DEECA Barwon South West posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to DEECA Barwon South West:

Shortcuts

Share