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Significant incidents

On this page:

What happened?

From early January 2026, Victoria has been experiencing extreme weather and severe bushfires causing widespread damage and significant loss to Victorian communities.

Key contacts

  • Current bushfires and urgent needs:
  • Emergency Relief Payment and emergency accommodation:
  • Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment and connecting to a support worker:
  • Farmer grants and concessional loans:

What is the impact on consumers?

Communities are facing significant losses. Homes, farms, businesses and infrastructure have been affected, including access to essential services such as electricity, gas and water. EWOV acknowledges the impact of the recent bushfires on the Victorian community and our thoughts are with those affected.

In relation to energy and water, thousands of Victorians are experiencing or recovering from loss of supply or restricted access as well as a range of other issues.

Restoring the supply is always a priority for each energy distributor and water company. During bushfire emergencies and recovery, they are navigating active fires and/or damage to infrastructure and may need to wait to access sites until it is safe to do so.

Affected consumers may be able to access backup supplies from the impacted water or energy provider, such as water bottle refill stations or mobile and other device charging stations. To see what alternative temporary supplies may be available to you, please visit the company's website or contact the company (see links below).

In some circumstances, bushfires may affect drinking water quality. Check your provider’s website for the most current information on your water supply (see links below).

 

Where can I get information about energy or water issues?

The below contains details about the information you can access in relation to energy and water issues caused by the extreme weather and bushfire event.

Power outages

Extensive power outages are being experienced across the State due to the bushfires and extreme heat. Power supply and/or quality issues have impacted a number of service areas.

You can find out who your electricity distributor is by checking your electricity bill from your retailer or checking the map on this webpage.

If you see a damaged or fallen powerline, always assume they are live. Stay well away and report it using the phone numbers below.

If you rely on life support equipment and your power is out, call 000 if your life is threatened.

Your distributor may have a dedicated emergency life support phone number that you can call:

  • Powercor: 1300 364 301
  • CitiPower: 1800 066 909
  • Ausnet: 1800 818 832
  • United Energy: 1800 500 540
  • Jemena: 13 16 26 (24 hr faults and emergencies line)

AusNet

Jemena

Powercor and CitiPower

  • Outages: see CitiPower and Powercor’s full outage list and the live outage map.
  • General information: 13 22 06.
  • Emergencies and faults: 13 24 12.
  • Powercor’s emergency response: see Fire Safety webpage.
  • Prolonged Power Outage Payment: Powercor will send eligible consumers a link to a dedicated webpage. If you believe you are eligible for this payment but have not received an SMS and link, please contact Powercor on 13 22 06.

United Energy

Water quality and supply issues

Water supply and/or quality issues have impacted some service areas. Check if your water supply is impacted on the VicEmergency website.

The Victorian Government provides guidance for community members affected by the bushfires in its Emergency relief drinking water webpage. 
 

Barwon Water

Coliban Water

For information and the latest updates: on water supply and quality issues, and support available for affected customers, seevisit Coliban Water’s bushfire webpage.

East Gippsland Water

For information on accessing emergency relief drinking water, see the Victorian Government’s website, as mentioned on the East Gippsland Water webpage.

Goulburn Valley Water

For information and the latest updates: on water supply and quality issues, and support available for affected customers, see visit Goulburn Valley Water’s Emergencies and Natural Disasters webpage and Goulburn Valley Water’s service disruption webpage. 
 

Potential gas leaks

Report a gas leak or outage to the distributor listed on your bill:

  • Australian Gas Networks, call 1800 GAS LEAK (1800 427 532)
  • MultiNet Gas Networks, call 132 691
  • AusNet, call 13 67 07.

What can EWOV do to help?

Our role in the bushfire emergency is to support Victorians if a dispute arises between you and your energy and water provider, as services are restored and infrastructure is repaired.

If your energy or water supply has been affected during or after this major event:

  • Your energy or water provider should be able to assist you and give you information about when services are expected to be restored. Visit their website for updates.
  • If you need more help or information from them, explain your problem and tell them what help you need.
  • If you can’t get the information or help you need, then you can raise a complaint with us on 1800 500 509 or on our Start a complaint webpage. We’re a free, independent and fair dispute resolution service for Victorian consumers experiencing issues with their water, gas or electricity provider.

For more information on common issues consumers face, see our Natural disaster support webpage.

Support services

If you are struggling with your energy or water bills following the bushfire event, let your energy or water provider know because payment assistance may be available.

Free financial counselling and debt support

If you're struggling with bills and debt, MoneySmart lists national and local free financial advice and support services. Visit the MoneySmart website or call 1800 007 007.

Specific support is also available:

  • Mob Strong Debt Helpline (for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people): 1800 808 488.
  • Small Business Debt Helpline: 1800 413 828. 
  • Rural Financial Counselling Service (for primary producers, farmers): 1300 771 741.

Free psychological support and resources

Life in Mind website has resources to help support the mental health and wellbeing of people in bushfire-affected communities.

Beyond Blue has resources to help with the emotional impact of natural disasters as well as free counselling services available online or by calling 1300 22 46 36.

If you are experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence, please contact 1800RESPECT for counselling, information and support. Call 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit the 1800RESPECT website.