Road recovery continues six months after the January Bushfires

Road recovery continues six months after the January Bushfires

Published on 28 July 2026

Six months after the January 2026 bushfires, significant work is continuing to repair and reopen Murrindindi Shire's fire-affected road network.

Council has assessed 451 kilometres of council-managed roads in the fire impacted area, with 405 kilometres requiring works of varying scale.

Assessing and treating hazardous trees across the affected network was the first step in restoring safe public access. Further works range from significant repairs to road surfaces and infrastructure, through to the replacement of signs and guideposts.

Of the affected network, 164 kilometres of roads require repairs to road surfaces and infrastructure, while a further 242 kilometres requiring replacement signs and guideposts. Of the 132 impacted roads, 62 have reopened to the public. Many remaining closures continue to allow authorised access for residents, clean-up crews and primary producers, where safe to do so.

The scale of damage extends beyond the road network. Council has completed inspections of 84 road bridges, with 55 found to be impacted and nine requiring full replacement or significant repairs.

On the Great Victorian Rail Trail, 27 bridges have been inspected, with 15 impacted and three requiring full replacement.

Temporary access arrangements, including temporary fords and other measures, have been established where required to support residents who remain on their properties.

Fire-affected roads can remain unpredictable due to damaged surfaces, subsequent heavy rainfall, missing guideposts, barriers, signage and line marking, as well as culverts, drainage and fencing. Some culverts have collapsed, or remain at risk of collapse, making conditions especially dangerous after dark.

With crews and machinery working across the network, drivers are urged to slow down and drive to the conditions, obey speed restrictions and remain alert for livestock and wildlife where fencing has been damaged.

Mayor of Murrindindi Shire Council, Cr Damien Gallagher, said the reopening of some roads represented important progress, but the scale of the recovery effort remained significant.

"Reopening 62 roads is an important step forward, but more than 400 kilometres of our road network still requires works, alongside significant damage to bridges and other critical infrastructure," Cr Gallagher said.

"Our crews and contractors are working hard to restore safe access, but recovery on this scale takes considerable time, resources, and investment.

"Council cannot deliver a recovery effort of this magnitude alone. Continued partnership and investment from the Victorian and Australian governments will be critical to restoring our infrastructure and supporting the long-term recovery of our communities.

"In the meantime, we ask everyone travelling through fire-affected areas to take extra care, check current road conditions before setting out and follow all road closures and restrictions", Cr Gallagher said.

Residents, visitors, service providers and delivery companies should check VicTraffic and Council's website for current road access information rather than relying on Google Maps alone.

Heavy vehicles must continue to apply for permits before travelling on affected roads.

Residents needing assistance with deliveries where a road is listed as closed on VicTraffic can contact Council at [email protected] and defects on Council-managed roads can reported to Council via either the Snap Send Solve app or by calling 5772 0333.

For current information about road access and closures in fire-affected areas, visit Council's January 2026 bushfire road access and closures webpage, https://www.murrindindi.vic.gov.au/fireimpactedroads

• Emergency and Recovery News