Agencies who can help you

Disasters like the severe storm event in June can lead to complicated legal issues for our community, including insurance matters, or exacerbate existing issues like family violence. These issues may particularly start to show up in the recovery period following the disaster.

Eastern Community Legal Centre (ECLC) is offering free information, advice and referrals for anyone in the Eastern Region including the storm affected areas. All ECLC services are free.

Appointment times available:
Thursdays 2pm-4pm

If you are uncertain about your insurance details, or have questions about the claims process the Insurance Council of Australia can help. They can provide advice about insurance and assist you with any claims process.

Appointment times available:
Wednesdays 9am-11am

Yarra Ranges Council Environmental Health Officers, Planning Officers and Building Officers are available via virtual appointment. Our officers can help you by providing expert advice and guidance.

Appointment times available:
Planners available Thursdays 9am-12pm
Environmental Health Officers available on request.

Yarra Valley Water has many services to assist you in managing your bills.

Virtual appointments are available for you to chat about setting up a payment arrangement, registering your concession card and asking any questions you may have about billing.

Appointment times available:
Thursdays - 2pm to 4pm

Bushfire Recovery Victoria assists Victorians impacted by the June 2021 storms and floods can call for help or assistance.  

Operators can assist you with registering for:

• clean-up of structures on private property (new registrations close on 31 October 2021) 
• accessing your own recovery support worker
• mental health and wellbeing support
• financial counselling and information on available payments.  

The recovery hotline is open from 9am-5pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).   

Tel - 1800 560 760 

Website - Bushfire Recovery Victoria - Storm

There are many organisations located in the Yarra Ranges that are dedicated to providing mental health support to people when they need it. It is ok to ask for help and support is available.

Mental health support services to help if you are in need include Anglicare, Inspiro, Youth Help Hub, Head to Help, Eastern Health and more. Below is a full list of services that are available to the Yarra Ranges community and this list also includes phone numbers to 24-hour hotlines and links to online resources. 

• Services in the local and eastern region
• 24 hour/online services - Victoria/Australia wide
• Crisis support services
• Directories and online resources
• Other mental health support services
• Mental Health Care Plans
  

Lifeline: 131 114  24-hour telephone counselling, information and referral service.
BeyondBlue: 1300 224 636 Provides information on depression and anxiety. To access professional counselling services, please make contact with your GP and ask for a referral.

It's important to remember that all Medicare cardholders are also eligible for 10 subsidised individual and 10 group mental health appointments per year — referred to as a Mental Health Treatment Plan. Australians affected by COVID-19 can also access an additional 10 sessions per calendar year until 30 June 2022.

The Storm and Flood Financial Counselling Program is open to Victorians affected by the June 2021 storms and floods on 1800 560 760 and is open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).   

The program can connect you to a financial counsellor to help you to:

Speaking to a financial counsellor early can help stabilise your finances, reduce stress and allow you to focus on other areas.  

People and families eligible for assistance may have experienced:

• loss of housing
• loss of other assets (for example, car, equipment, clothing, personal items etc.)
• loss or impeded access to essential services (electricity, gas, water)
• significant psychosocial trauma
• significant physical trauma
• business impacts or loss.

If you or somebody you know is experiencing family violence, access one of the support services below. You can also visit the DHHS website for more advice and access to support services. If a person is in immediate danger call 000.

There are many organisations located in the Yarra Ranges that are dedicated to providing family violence support to people when they need it. It is ok to ask for help and support is available.

Family violence support services to help if you are in need include EDVOS, 1800 RESPECT, The Orange Door, Kids Helpline, Safe Steps and Sexual Assault Crisis Line. Below is a full list of services that are available to the Yarra Ranges community and this list also includes phone numbers to 24-hour hotlines and links to online resources.  

• Services in the local and eastern region
• Feeling unsafe or need advice? Help is at hand 
• What is family violence? What you need to know
• Supporting someone else experiencing family violence
  
  

Lifeline: 131 114  24-hour telephone counselling, information and referral service.