General News
20 January, 2026
Emergency water points in focus as fire season tightens grip
AS bushfire season intensifies across western Victoria, councils and emergency authorities are urging residents and landholders in fire-prone areas to familiarise themselves with emergency water supply points before conditions deteriorate further. Across the Northern Grampians Shire, a network of designated Emergency Water Supply Points (EWSPs) is available to support bushfire response and stock welfare during periods of extreme heat, drought and elevated fire danger.
The points form part of a broader statewide system designed to provide reliable, non-potable water when private supplies run low or when rapid access is critical.
GWMWater says the emergency water points are intended specifically for firefighting support and stock watering, with access managed through a permit system that allows temporary use during high-risk periods.
The water is not suitable for human consumption and is drawn primarily from council-managed bores and tanks.
Permits are available for three- or six-month periods, with volume limits scaled to need.
Options range from 10,000 litres up to 100,000 litres, reflecting the emergency nature of the supply and the need to manage demand carefully during peak fire season.
Water points are spread across the district including;
· 329 Garden Gully Road, Great Western
· Cubitt Street, Great Western
· Haughton Street Stawell (GWMWater Depot)
· Landsborough and Joel Joel Sth Road, Joel Joel
· 2047 Landsborough Road, Joel Joel
· 988 North Woodlands Road, Navarre
· 17 Tulkara Road, Greens Creek
· 348 Campbells Bridge Road, Campbels Bridge
The distribution is intended to ensure coverage for communities most exposed to grassfire and bushfire risk.
At a state level, authorities have reinforced the importance of emergency water access as climate conditions drive longer fire seasons and more frequent extreme heat events.
According to Water Victoria, emergency water supply points play a critical role during bushfires by supporting firefighting operations, protecting livestock and helping landholders maintain basic resilience when dams, tanks or waterways are depleted.
Authorities stress that emergency water points should not be seen as a substitute for personal fire preparedness, but rather as a last-resort support mechanism when normal supplies fail.
Landholders are encouraged to plan early, ensure they have suitable fittings and equipment, and understand access requirements well before a fire threat emerges.
Users must supply their own compatible hoses and female fittings.
With forecasts again pointing to severe and extreme fire danger days across the region, emergency services are reminding residents that preparation time shrinks rapidly once a fire starts.
Past fires across western Victoria have shown how quickly conditions can escalate, particularly on days of high temperatures, low humidity and gusty winds.
For more information visit GWMWater’s website www.gwmwater.org.au.
Read More: Concongella, Glenorchy, Great Western, Halls Gap, Landsborough, Marnoo