At least 10,000 head of livestock have been killed in the fires that raced across the south-west on the weekend.
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While Agriculture Victoria has not confirmed the number of dead livestock, the mortality toll of at least 10,000 head has been mentioned unofficially by government agencies.
The Standard talked to two farmers alone in The Sisters and Garvoc areas on Monday with one saying he had lost 300 cows and the another more than 900 sheep.
Agriculture Victoria representative Martin Dunstan told a packed community meeting in Terang on Monday it hoped to get around to all properties affected by the fires to assess what their needs were.
“They might have livestock that have been burnt in the fires. They might have no feed. They might have no water. They might have personal needs,” Mr Dunstan said.
He said dealing with livestock burnt in the fires was a high priority for the government.
“Sometimes an unprofessional eye can make the wrong decision about whether to sell to an abattoir or put them in a hospital mob,” Mr Dunstan said.
He said farmers who wanted to ensure the health of fire-affected livestock should ring 5336 6721 for assistance.
Those who wanted to dispose of livestock that had died or been euthanised should ring Lyall Bond at Corangamite Shire on 0419 337 854, he said.
Victoria Police local area commander Gary Coombes called for people to obey traffic management by police on south-west roads that remained closed because of the fires.
He said there had been some incidents where people had driven around police traffic management points.
Inspector Coombes asked for people to try to seek a resolution with police about getting access to areas rather than driving around roadblocks.
He said reports of looting in fire-affected areas were incorrect.
Inspector Coombes said an incident that had gained public attention had occurred well before Saturday’s fires.
