Clean-up and rebuild
Help if your property has been damaged
Emergency Recovery Victoria
Help to clean-up your property is available if you are uninsured or underinsured. Emergency Recovery Victoria will remove eligible damaged homes, businesses, and community assets (eg. town halls and sports facilities) at no cost.
Call the Emergency Recovery Hotline on 1800 560 760 or visit vic.gov.au/register-for-clean-up.
Clean-Up Program Registrations close on Monday 31 August 2026.
If your home is insured, contact your insurance company even if you don't know the full extent of the damage. Take photos and make a list of everything that is damaged.
Emergency Recovery Victoria has more information about what to expect and who can support you as you rebuild, repair or sell your home after a bushfire.
For more information visit vic.gov.au/rebuild-repair-home-disaster or download the Clean-up for free flyer(PDF, 3MB).
What happens if you're not eligible for clean-up assistance?
If the owner is not eligible for the Victorian Government clean-up program, Council’s Building Services team can undertake an inspection of the site. Following the inspection, and where appropriate, the Municipal Building Surveyor may issue an order exempting the owner from the requirement to obtain a Building Permit under certain situations.
To arrange an inspection, please contact Building Services on 03 5471 1700 or email building@mountalexander.vic.gov.au.
Temporary accommodation for homeowners after a fire
When you've lost your home to bushfire, getting temporary housing in place quickly can be a vital step towards recovery.
Victorian Building and Planning laws and regulations allow people to set up emergency housing on their land without a planning or building permit – though there are still some requirements.
For more information:
Accommodation notification requirements
An intended occupier of an emergency accommodation building must notify Mount Alexander Shire Council in writing of their intention to occupy the building as their principal place of residence. This notification must be provided no later than the day construction commences or at least 14 days before the intended occupation date, whichever occurs first.
The Owner Intention to Occupy Template(DOCX, 150KB) may be used to assist with the notification process. While completion of the form is not mandatory, it provides a useful checklist to help applicants compile the information required by the regulations.
Completed forms and supporting documentation can be submitted by email to building@mountalexander.vic.gov.au or delivered in person to:
Mount Alexander Shire Council
27 Lyttleton Street
Castlemaine VIC 3450
Rebuilding your permanent home after a fire
Building and planning regulations will apply when rebuilding your permanent home.
You will need a building and planning permit when your rebuild your permanent home and most permanent structures.
For more information read the Staying on your land after fire flyer(PDF, 247KB).