General News
9 July, 2026
IN BRIEF
VICTORIA’S fire services are urging residents to ensure they have working smoke alarms and a Home Fire Escape Plan
Be winter safe
VICTORIA’S fire services are urging residents to ensure they have working smoke alarms and a Home Fire Escape Plan as new figures show an increase in the number of preventable fire fatalities last year. Across Victoria, in figures compiled by CFA and FRV, there were a total of 21 preventable residential fire fatalities in 2025. This compares to 18 equivalent fatalities in 2024, with the highest number of deaths reported in winter. The majority of fatal fires in 2025 - 85 percent - started in bedrooms or living rooms CFA and FRV are calling on all Victorians to take action to help reduce the number of preventable fire fatalities by ensuring their homes are fitted with working smoke alarms.
Water prices
ESSENTIAL Services Commission has approved the maximum prices Victoria’s 18 water businesses can charge their customers for services in 2026-2027. The average annual water bill for owner-occupiers will increase by around $73 (seven per cent) in Melbourne (including an allowance for the costs associated with the desalinated water order) and around $68 (five per cent) in regional Victoria (compared to 2025-26). Coliban prices will rise 6.3 per cent.
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