“Don’t forget us”: Skipton locals say lack of bushfire reporting leads to slow recovery and investment in wrong areas

In January 2026, a fast-moving grass and scrub fire burnt about 19,000 hectares and destroyed more than 25 structures across Streatham, outer Skipton and Carranballac, leaving residents without land, homes, and livelihoods. 

The fire impacted around 80 families – 20 with young children. The land that was burnt exclusively supported people who worked, lived, or provided housing for those in the agricultural sector.

It was a significant blow for a community where more than 33% of employment is in agriculture or related industries. 

No help: Multiple locals told the Brolga they were under insured, or not insured at all, and knew many others in the same position, further compounding the challenge of recovery after a major fire.

Skipton was skipped: Megan Read, co-coordinator of the Skipton to Streatham Fire Recovery Group (SSFRG) told the Brolga the town felt largely ignored.

• The SSFRG is a community-led group created by Skipton locals Megan Read and Deb Main to aid recovery efforts in Skipton, Carranballac to Streatham, following the 2026 fires. The group raises funds, shares resources, and coordinates relief efforts for affected families in these towns.

• “That lack of media attention, regardless of why that happened, was detrimental to us from a government support perspective,” said Read.

• Councillor Nick Cole, the local government representative for Mount Elephant Ward, which includes Skipton, says the speed of the fire also contributed to the lack of coverage.

• “It just happened so quickly - three hours and it was game over. That fire burned 20,000 hectares in four hours. Compared to the Otways fire which was going for weeks but burned only half that.”

What’s happening in Skipton now? While the three municipal areas affected by the fire - Pyrenees Shire, Ararat Rural City Council, and Corangamite Shire - collaborate on recovery efforts and communication, the Skipton Recovery Hub has now closed, and locals report persisting issues with basic needs as the clean up rolls on.

• Deb Main, SSFRG’s co-coordinator, said the provision of skip bins was a basic but overlooked community need.

• “It’s actually a really vital component to individual family recovery, because that's where they can put all their burnt curtains, they can put rubble from burnt sheds, and the metal. They are still waiting, 10 weeks down the track,” she said.

• “We live in a fire-prone area,” added Councillor Cole. “There should be protocols and processes ready to roll out. We shouldn’t have to wait…it leads to frustration all across the district.”

Skipton community impacts are varied and lasting: Skipton locals spoke of diverse challenges created from the fire, including:

• Presentation of illness related to consumption of water contaminated by ash and debris 

• 1000s of livestock euthanised

• Critical farming machinery damaged or destroyed

• Slow debris clean up, inhibiting movement of vehicles and resumption of work

Antonella, a volunteer from the Skipton Foodbank, described considerable need in the aftermath of the fires, matched by immense community collaboration to provide it. The service continues to provide support to the recovery, from basics like food and toiletries, to first aid kids, jackets, and farming equipment.

• “What was a small food bank that opened for three hours twice a week became something that was open non-stop,” said Antonella.

Lack of local interest leads to distrust in government: Councillor Cole is proud of Corangamite Shire’s response to the fires, saying the Council has been responsive and on the frontlines of community recovery. 

• “Corangmaite shire is not letting either fire [Skipton, Simpson] slip. They are not being ignored by Council.”

But the sentiment is starkly different for other levels of government.

• “There is no trust in government. We’ve been hit with this Fire Service Levy, the blokes trying to put the fires out, what’s that about? As local government, we’ve really tried, but Council is only a line on a map, and bushfires don’t care about lines on maps.”

“I think that's where people are at now - very disillusioned with the government response,” says SSFRG’s  Deb Main. “Government are capable of helping, this isn’t new to them. Why aren’t they learning?”