The “Repair of rural fencing and fire control line and stabilisation policy” enables the Victorian Government to pay half the cost of materials to repair or replace bushfire damaged fencing of agricultural land bordering national parks, State parks and State forests to its pre-existing standard.
Under the Fences Act 1968 the government is not liable for any maintenance, or contribution towards fences that adjoin crown land and private property. However, this policy, managed by Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) is designed to provide support to landholders.
What support is provided
Under this policy, half the costs of materials up to a maximum of $5000 per km is funded. Payment will consider the type of fence being replaced. This includes fences damaged by a backburn which are treated the same as damage by bushfire.
Labour costs are to be met by the landholder.
Where fences (boundary and internal) have been damaged by firefighters either by machinery or cutting of the fence to gain access, FFMVic will fully cover the cost of repairs or replacement of the damaged section of the fence to the pre-existing standard.
Landholders are ineligible for support if their fences are covered by insurance, and they chose to use it.
Fencing factsheet for landholders
Recovery assistance info form for landholders