Submitted by daniel on Mon, 06/04/2026 - 21:08 Picture Image Description Fuel and fertiliser prices have seen costs for farmers and residents impacted by January's grass fire at Streatham, Carranballac and Skipton skyrocket by hundreds of thousands of dollars. Subscribe now for unlimited access. or signup to continue reading BUY 6 MTHS / GET 6 FREE All articles from our website & app The digital version of Today's Paper Crosswords, Sudoku and Trivia All other in your area The fuel crisis has been described as a "significant blow" for those recovering from the fire, which destroyed 20,000 hectares and burned 16 houses on January 9. Skipton farmer Megan Read, who is involved in the region's recovery efforts, said increasing costs and supply concerns have made plans for planting crops more challenging. Old fencing destroyed in January's bushfire was on the side of the road in Skipton a month on and recent fuel prices in Ballarat (inset). Pictures by Lachlan Bence, Kate Healy "(Fuel prices and fertiliser pricing) has been a really significant blow," Ms Read said. "Within a matter of a few weeks, you're talking increases of hundreds of thousands of dollars. That has been a real worry, actually. "That's been a significant threat to people putting crops in. We're all watching that space really closely. "We've all been trying to stockpile that product of fuel and fertiliser - it's not for panic buying, it's actually a necessity to actually get the crops in." But she said the community is resilient and the recovery efforts continue three months on. "I think that everyone knows where they are with insurance and what capacity they have to rebuild now. It's been disappointing for some, just underinsured - that's the nature of how these things go," Ms Read said. "The support still is pouring in from donations and help, Blaze Aid fencing and that. "It's probably still a bit frustrating with red tape and bureaucracy. We've got a network agency group that's started." Ms Read said some are still dealing with layers of bureaucracy holding some of the recovery back. "On average, it takes probably about five layers of hierarchy per department to get a decision made. That's been frustrating because some of the things that people are calling out for are pretty simple," she said. "We're still battling with water, and skip bins for the cleanup. "Trees are a really big issue, the roadside trees. The funding to help local government control that is really limited, which is really unfortunate. That's been another big issue. "But overall, the community has just been really resilient, adaptable." 'Recovery is a marathon' Corangamite Shire mayor Kate Makin said council staff were involved in case support for 21 families in the Skipton area. "On a daily basis, council staff are in touch with community members affected by the Streatham to Skipton (Yalla-Y-Poora) fire, the Larralea Fire, and the Otways Complex, which impacted around Kennedys Creek and Simpson," Cr Makin said in a statement. "During the fires, Corangamite and Pyrenees Shire staff supported 100-plus people at the Beaufort Emergency Relief Centre and more than 690 people went to the Skipton Recovery Hub in the following weeks. "Council coordinated water and waste cleanup, including five tank cleans, eight properties having tank and dam refills. "Twelve properties have been supplied with multiple waste and scrap metal bins. "The work has been constant with a significant number of community meetings, newsletters sent out on a weekly basis, and regular social media and website updates." Ms Read said donations are still being accepted to help the families who lost homes. "The ones that are pretty well established and have capacity to rebuild are even helping others," she said. "What we're trying to do is be able to help every single family impacted with just a gift of hope or something that they need. "We know recovery is a marathon, not a sprint," she said. "The important thing is for our community to know they're not forgotten. Council is here to help and is only as far away as a phone call." How to donate: Electronic Funds Transfer - Skipton to Streatham Fire Recovery Fund BSB: 633 000 Account Number: 241 004 076 Daily Your morning news Today's top stories curated by our news team. Weekdays The lunch break Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. Weekdays The evening wrap Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. Weekly Subscriber Only Note from the Editor Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. Weekly Sport The latest news, results & expert analysis. 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