DEECA Gippsland

12/06/2026

If you buy firewood always ask where it came from.
Report suspicious firewood activity to Crimestopers Victoria
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CETJt4dn1/

Think twice before you buy firewood this winter, Victoria. We're joining forces with the Conservation Regulator Victoria to tackle the black-market firewood trade that's destroying wildlife habitat across our state. Here's what you need to know: https://bit.ly/illegal-take-of-firewood

11/06/2026

Aerial surveillance from Gabo Island to Eden in New South Wales has failed to locate an entangled humpback whale.

The whale, which was spotted last Monday with what appeared to be a rope around its upper mouth, was travelling north from Gabo Island towards the New South Wales border when last seen.

DEECA has spent the past two days searching with fixed wing planes on both sides of the border but has been unable to find it, although 46 other whales were sighted during today’s flight.

Authorities in NSW are now working with volunteer organisation ORRCA to continue the search in NSW waters.

Boaters from Gabo Island to southern NSW are being urged to keep an eye out for the whale. Members of the public should report any sightings to:

📍 Victoria — Whale and Dolphin Emergency Hotline: 1300 245 678
📍 NSW — ORRCA Hotline: 02 9415 3333

Specialised whale disentanglement crews from DEECA and Parks Victoria have been trained for this circumstance and are ready to launch if the whale is found in suitable conditions.

Similarly trained crews from NSW will be available if the whale is located north of the border.

Thousands of whales travel north along Australia’s east coast during winter to breed and give birth in warmer waters, having fed in Antarctica over summer.

People in boats must stay at least 200 metres from whales and should not attempt to disentangle. We would encourage people to stay at least a kilometre away to avoid causing it further distress.

Disentanglement operations are complex and extremely dangerous and must only be undertaken by trained whale disentanglement experts.

More information available at https://www.wildlife.vic.gov.au/wildlife-emergencies/whale-and-dolphin-emergencies

Whale image courtesy of Samuel McLennan Project Interrupt

10/06/2026

Parking’s not an issue when the forest is your office.

We employ hundreds of seasonal forest firefighters on a full-time basis for a fixed term each year (generally between November and April). They work alongside our permanent firefighting staff and help deliver land management activities and respond to bushfires and other emergencies.

A seasonal role is the perfect way to shake up your career, and make a difference in the community.

Register your interest ahead of applications opening on 2 July: https://jobs.careers.vic.gov.au/sffoo

10/06/2026

Boaters near Gabo Island are being urged to keep an eye out for an entangled humpback whale.

The whale, which was spotted yesterday near the New South Wales border appears to have a rope wrapped around the upper part of its mouth.

DEECA used a spotter aircraft today to try and locate the whale. The aerial search will resume tomorrow morning.

Our crews are gathering information on the whale’s location, behaviour and the entanglement, which will assist in forming response options.

The whale is heading north along the annual migration route, with NSW authorities actively helping to identify its location.

After feeding in Antarctica over summer, thousands of whales travel north along Australia’s east coast during winter to breed and give birth in warmer waters.

Members of the public are encouraged to report any sightings to:
📍 Victoria - Whale and Dolphin Emergency Hotline: 1300 245 678
📍 NSW - ORRCA Hotline: 02 9415 3333

Public in boats must stay at least 200 metres from whales and should not attempt to disentangle. We would encourage people to stay at least a kilometre away to avoid causing it further distress.

Disentanglement operations are complex and extremely dangerous and must only be undertaken by trained whale disentanglement experts.

More information available at https://www.wildlife.vic.gov.au/wildlife-emergencies/whale-and-dolphin-emergencies

Images and video credit: Samuel McLennan Project Interrupt

10/06/2026

Apply Now - Young Farmers Advisory Council

Help shape the future of Victorian agriculture by joining the Young Farmers Advisory Committee. If you’re a young farmer, now is your chance to bring your perspective and experience to the table.

👉 Expressions of interest close 14 June 2026. Apply now: https://www.boards.vic.gov.au/search-board-vacancies/young-farmers-advisory-council-chairperson-deputy-chairperson-and-members-vgb/19247

Agriculture Victoria

10/06/2026

𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐢𝐠 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 💪

There are lots of small things you can do around the house to make your home cosy and reduce your energy bill this winter.

Our top energy saving tips for winter are:

📅 Improve your heater’s performance and efficiency by cleaning the filters often (every 2-3 weeks is recommended if using your heater regularly)

🔥Set your heater to 18-20 degrees and save (your reverse-cycle air conditioner is by far the cheapest way to heat your home)

🔒 Lock in the heat by only heating areas of the house in use, shutting doors to unused areas and closing curtains

💨 Eliminate any window and door gaps by fitting draught seals

🔌Turn-off non-essential appliances at the switch

💦Run a full load of washing on the cold setting

For more energy saving tips visit energy.vic.gov.au/households/save-energy-and-money/top-10-energy-saving-tips

08/06/2026

Everyone associates firefighters with red – but did you know our specialist forest firefighters are always in green?

We employ several hundred seasonal firefighters on a full-time basis for a fixed term each year (generally between November and April). They work alongside our permanent firefighting staff and help deliver land management activities and respond to bushfires and other emergencies.

Register your interest ahead of applications opening on 2 July: https://jobs.careers.vic.gov.au/sffoo

05/06/2026

We’re improving access to water supplies in remote forest areas, cutting helicopter turnaround times and helping protect communities and the environment.

Last summer, new heli-dip sites supported operations at Wonnangatta, Mt Selwyn and Woods Point, with 15 more sites to be built in remote locations.

Because when it comes to bushfires, every minute counts.

Having reliable water where aircraft need it is like having an ace up our sleeve, helping crews hit fires hard and improving our chances of limiting their spread.

To find out more visit https://www.ffm.vic.gov.au/media-releases/remote-water-dip-tanks-boost-aerial-firefighting-in-victorias-forests

VicEmergency - Hume
VicEmergency - Gippsland

05/06/2026

🐸 Helping bring a critically endangered frog back from the brink
The Watson’s Tree Frog was once thought extinct in Victoria until its rediscovery in East Gippsland in 2015. Since then, dedicated captive breeding at Melbourne Zoo has paved the way for an exciting next step: returning this species to the wild.

DEECA’s Orbost team has partnered with Amplitude Energy, who generously donated 30 clean 44-gallon drums to support an innovative reintroduction approach. These modified, above-ground “pools” will house 20-40 tadpoles each, giving them a safer place to grow and helping reduce exposure to disease.

The project, led by Wild Research Pty Ltd in collaboration with Moogji Aboriginal Council, will see the drums placed in the Errinundra Plateau forests south of Bendoc, creating secure breeding sites and supporting long-term monitoring of the species.

By elevating these breeding habitats, we can help limit the spread of the deadly chytrid fungus and boost the frogs’ chances of survival.

Just another way, on , that we’re working together to secure a future for Watson’s Tree Frog. 🌿

🔗 Want to learn more about the Watson’s Tree Frog? https://www.zoo.org.au/fighting-extinction/local-threatened-species/watsons-frog/

Forest Fire Management Victoria
Parks Victoria
East Gippsland Shire Council
Zoos Victoria
Amplitude Energy
Moogji Aboriginal Council East Gippsland Inc.

04/06/2026

🦞 Cray season is here! Let’s protect our Murray spiny crayfish.

The crayfish harvest season has officially opened (1 June – 31 August). While it’s a great time to get on the water this long weekend, how we handle these iconic species matters.

The Murray spiny crayfish plays a crucial role within the ecosystem. Numbers have been declining since the 1950s and the species is listed as threatened in Victoria under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988.

Egg-bearing female crayfish are especially vulnerable, even gentle handling can knock off dozens of eggs, reducing their ability to reproduce. When combined with fishing pressure, this can put local populations at serious risk.

A few simple steps can make a big difference when fishing for crayfish:
❌ Avoid handling egg-bearing females wherever possible.
👀 Use non-invasive checks: look for the genitalia position, instead of unfurling the tail.
💧 If you catch a female with eggs, carefully return her to the water near logs, snags or structure close to the bank.

By taking care, we can all help ensure Murray spiny crayfish are around for generations to come.

🔗 Learn more about Murray spiny crayfish via Arthur Rylah Institute https://www.ari.vic.gov.au/research/threatened-plants-and-animals/animals/murray-spiny-crayfish

👉 Always follows fishing regulations Victorian Fisheries Authority https://vfa.vic.gov.au/recreational-fishing/recreational-fishing-guide/catch-limits-and-closed-seasons/types-of-fish/crustaceans/murray-spiny-freshwater-crayfish

📷Murray Spiny Crayfish at the rivers edge
📷Female crayfish with hairy ge****ls (gonopores) on middle legs
📷Male crayfish with ge****ls (papillae) on bottom legs