On site assessments by Council

A Secondary Impact Assessment (SIA) is a detailed inspection carried out after the initial rapid assessment conducted by emergency services during the fire. It includes:

• Structural integrity and building safety
• Environmental and health risks
• Wastewater and drinking water systems
• Dangerous or fire‑affected trees
• Impacts on essential services (power, water, gas, telecommunications).

Once a Secondary Impact Assessment has been completed, Council may send you a letter and an 'Order'. This could be an Emergency Order or a Minor Works Order.

The on‑site assessment will:

• Provide accurate information about damage to buildings, infrastructure and property.
• Identify safety issues and environmental risks.
• Help guide Council’s recovery response.
• Connect residents with relevant support services.
• Provide information that may assist with insurance claims, government assistance, clean‑up, recovery work, or rebuilding.

Properties with damaged or destroyed homes, buildings or essential infrastructure will be visited first, as part of a phased approach once roads are officially reopened.

The Assessment also means that Council may provide the property owner with an 'Order'. Some insurance companies request a copy of a Council Order to progress a claim.

Assessment teams may include:

• Building Surveyor
• Environmental Health Officer
• Arborist
• Personal Support Officer
• Administration Officer

Teams include staff from Murrindindi Shire Council and partner councils. All staff will carry official Council identification.

During the assessment, officers can provide guidance on:

• Building safety and structural damage
• Wastewater and drinking water contamination or system failure
• Hazardous materials (including asbestos, chemicals, fuel or gas)
• Dangerous or fire‑affected trees
• Personal and wellbeing support
• Available grants and recovery assistance

Teams will also take photographs and collect information to help with ongoing recovery planning.

The SIAs will take several weeks to complete. Teams will only enter areas and properties that have been assessed as safe to access by arborists and engineers.

SIAs cannot be booked, as Council is prioritising properties that have been destroyed or severely damaged.

If your property cannot yet be accessed safely, Council will return as soon as it is cleared.

The SIA process may result in Council sending you a covering letter with an Order which may be requested by your insurance company. There are two types of orders:

• An Emergency Order will be issued where, due to the fire damage, the building or land could be a danger due to such things as the presences of asbestos, unstable brickwork or structurally unsafe building elements.
• A Minor Works Order will be issued where the danger of the damage structure is not as high, such as the structure has been completely destroyed and all elements are on the ground. 

A Building Order is a legal document which seeks to ensure that the built environment is safe for all individuals.

The document is a prescribed format and generally contains formal instructions. It sets out timeframes for you to carry out works, such actions may be to secure or remove the structure which has been damaged or destroyed. Building orders remain in place until they are complied with.

Emergency Orders have a timeframe, Council will not expect the owner to comply with these timeframes, however this order has been issued because the building or land is considered dangerous and extreme caution should be taken until the structure is removed.