The damage bill on Victorian farms from the widespread February fires – which killed livestock, destroyed fences and burnt out vast areas of pasture – has been estimated at more than $35 million.
The extent of the losses means that, for some farmers, it could take 18 months or longer to get back to the same footing they were on before the fires.
The estimated agricultural losses, calculated by the Department of Environment and Primary Industries, are from the fires known as the Mickleham Road/Kilmore fire, the East Gippsland, Wunghnu and Sunbury fires. The fires hit eight different council areas.
PICTURE GALLERY: Macedon Ranges fires
PICTURE GALLERY: Mickleham fire
More than half the losses, about $18.9 million, were incurred by farmers near Melbourne’s northern fringe hit by the fast-moving fire that ignited next to Mickleham Road and spread north.
It had a major impact on livestock and cropping farmers, as well as hobby farmers, in areas such as Darraweit Guim and Kilmore. Because it moved so quickly across dry country, it gave some farmers limited time to respond.
The toll from this fire, which started in blistering hot conditions on February 9, included large numbers of livestock that were killed, had to be put down because of their injuries or simply disappeared and have not been seen since. The animal toll includes 14,776 sheep and 1135 beef cattle.
The Mickleham Road fire also destroyed valuable farm infrastructure including 1672 kilometres of fences and 84 farm sheds. And it robbed livestock farmers of a precious commodity essential to their farms – feed. The Mickleham Road fire alone destroyed almost 2400 tonnes of hay and burnt out a massive 8560 hectares of pasture.
Total agricultural losses from the February fires include 14,400 hectares of burnt pasture, 2479 kilometres of fences destroyed or badly damaged, almost 7000 tonnes of hay lost, 2624 tonnes of grain lost and almost 200 farm sheds destroyed or badly damaged. The animal losses include 15,300 sheep, 1360 beef cattle and 150 goats.
The East Gippsland fires burnt almost 190,000 hectares (mostly of public land) but also left behind a substantial agricultural damage bill, estimated at $8.3 million.
Victorian Agriculture Minister Peter Walsh said that although the fires were out, the government would continue providing support for many months to help farmers recover.
”It is not quick or easy work to get a farm back up and running after fire damage, Mr Walsh said.
