Base camp at Victoria Park established to support fire response

Victoria Park will once again be home to approximately 200 fire fighters over the coming days as a base camp is quickly being established to address the fire situation in western Victoria.

The City of Ballarat is assisting Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) and Country Fire Authority (CFA) to establish the base camp before elevated fire weather on Boxing Day (Thursday).

Support includes access to two ovals, expediting permit processes for marquees, providing waste management services to the site, and communicating with residents around Victoria Park.

Large marquees to accommodate personnel from FFMVic, CFA and partner agencies will be set up by Monday on ovals 6, 7 and 8 on Military Drive opposite the Ballarat Dog Obedience Club pavilion. Both pavilions will be set up as command stations and an oval will also be used for parking.

After the success earlier in 2024 as a base camp, the location will once again provide much-needed facilities to firefighters who are currently working to contain the bushfire in the Grampians National Park including showers, toilets, laundry, kitchen and accommodation.

Road closures

There will be road closures in and around Victoria Park beginning from Tuesday 24 December to facilitate the traffic management needed for the camp. FFMVic, CFA and the City of Ballarat are working with Victoria Police on these road closures.

Please follow signage throughout the park. Access to the Inclusive Playspace and surrounding parking will remain available.

Impact on park users

Council’s Sport and Recreation team will work with the Ballarat Cricket Association (BCA) and other users (such as the Dog Obedience Club, school sports, soccer club and the Ballarat Football and Netball Club) to coordinate any impacts and to work through potential alternative venue options.  

CFA Deputy Chief Officer West Region, Brett Boatman said the base camp will play a valuable role in keeping crews rested and prepared for deployment to the fire grounds.

City of Ballarat CEO Evan King said Ballarat was the ideal location for the base camp to allow resources to be quickly distributed across western Victoria, as previously demonstrated in February and March 2024.

“The City of Ballarat is pleased to once again offer our support to the many emergency service personnel who are doing an outstanding job battling the blazes that are yet to be brought under control,” he said.

“We ask people who live around and travel in the Victoria Park precinct to be mindful of the camp that’s quickly being established. We are trying to minimise the impacts on regular park users, some roads within the park will need to be closed. Please be patient and understanding of the important work that’s being done to assist our emergency service agencies.

“And with extreme weather conditions predicted for Christmas and particularly Boxing Day, it’s also a timely reminder for us all to ensure our properties are fire ready – ensure your grass has been slashed and your gutters cleared. We all need to play our part.” 

The VicEmergency website and app are the official Victorian Government resources for access to community information and warnings for all types of emergencies in Victoria.