Emergency Relief Centres (ERCs)

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In an emergency, it is important to know what arrangements are on offer to you, especially in volatile conditions.

As stated in the Glenelg Municipal Emergency Management Plan 2025-2028(PDF, 2MB) , an Emergency Relief Centre (ERC) is a building or a place that has been activated for the provision of essential personal needs for people affected by, or responding to an emergency. The Glenelg Shire Council’s position on the activation of ERCs is:

  • Opening of an ERC is a decision made by the Victoria Police, fulfilling the role of Municipal Emergency Resources Coordinator (MERC), in consultation with the control agency and Council’s Municipal Emergency Management Officer (MEMO) and Municipal Recovery Manager (MRM) to accommodate residents relocating in response to a direct emergency;
  • Activation of an ERC is determined once the location of the emergency is known and is typically located well away from any threat to ensure public safety;
  • Council may activate ERCs in the instance where a situation is of genuine emergency;
  • An activated ERC is only able to provide basic support services such as food, first aid and emergency shelter.

ERC Locations

Council has identified three buildings across the Municipality that can be utilised as ERCs in the case of an emergency. The buildings are located in Portland, Heywood and Casterton.

For more information about support agencies who are available to provide assistance to those attending an ERC, please watch the video below.

Key Information

  • If you leave your property, it is recommended to register at an open ERC.
  • It is important that you have alternative plans to stay with family or friends or other private accommodation.
  • An emergency relief may be noisy, crowded, hot or cold.
  • While at an ERC, it is your responsibility to ensure the safety of your entire family, particularly any children in your care.

 

Animals at ERC's

  • Wherever possible, residents should make short-term accommodation arrangements for their companion animals, e.g. with friends or family outside of the affected area, or at a boarding facility.
  • There is likely to be minimal provision for animals at an ERC and all animals are to be under control of their owner and confined to a cage or leash at all times. Council will assist where possible to provide short-term relocation of livestock and horses.

 

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