ABC Central Victoria

13/01/2026

There are only a few buildings left in Ruffy's main street, including the town hall and Country Fire Authority (CFA) shed.

Locals in the central Victorian community of Ruffy say they are determined to rebuild after a bushfire destroyed most buildings in the small community.

13/01/2026

The transmitter providing radio and TV services to Bendigo, Castlemaine and surrounds, has been badly damaged.

A portable transmitter has been installed in Bendigo broadcasting ABC Local Radio via 91.1FM.

A fast-moving fire has silenced free-to-air TV and radio across central Victoria — and it could take months to fix the site.

13/01/2026

The Mount Alexander transmission site, which provides radio and TV services to Bendigo, Castlemaine and surrounds, has been damaged by the Harcourt bushfire.

The ABC TV service for the Bendigo region (located on Mt Alexander) was damaged by the recent bushfires and is OFF. Service restoration is expected to take some time given the extent of damage.
If you have lost access to ABC TV since 9 January, it is likely that your antenna is pointed towards the ABC Bendigo TV service at Mt Alexander. If you live in an area that also has access to other ABC TV services (coloured blue on the attached map), you may be able to have an antenna installer re-point your antenna towards the other location.
We do not recommend repointing your antenna without the assistance of a professional given the complexity of the task.
Further updates will continue at ABC Audience Help & Support.

A fast-moving fire has silenced free-to-air TV and radio across central Victoria — and it could take months to fix the site.

12/01/2026

A couple has lost their new home in Harcourt before spending their first official night there.

The couple was supposed to spend their first official night in the new home on Friday. It was destroyed by an out-of-control grassfire that afternoon.

12/01/2026

It appears to be the end of the line for the Harcourt Cooperative Cool Store, which was destroyed in the firestorm that hit the central Victorian town.

More than 90 businesses used the coolstore in the central Victorian town of Harcourt to store wine, beer, apples, and other produce. Now it's gone.

12/01/2026

Harcourt’s heart in ruins but community stands strong 💪 💔

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-12/harcourt-residents-stay-strong-after-bushfire/106218316ur

In a region famed for its lush pastoral farmland, locals thought Harcourt was less likely to be hit than neighbouring bush towns Castlemaine and Barkers Creek.

11/01/2026

***** TRANSMISSION UPDATE***********

The Mount Alexander transmission site in Central Victoria has been significantly damaged by fire and remains off air. The site normally provides Radio and TV services to communities around Bendigo, Castlemaine and nearby towns. It is expected to take some time for services to be fully restored.

For people in the immediate Bendigo area, ABC Local Radio Central Victoria is back on air on 91.1 FM.

Listeners outside of Bendigo can stay informed by tuning to ABC Wimmera on 594 AM.

The Mount Alexander transmission site in Central Victoria has been significantly damaged by fire and remains off air. The site normally provides Radio and TV services to communities around Bendigo, Castlemaine, and nearby towns. It is expected to take some time for services to be fully restored.

Download the ABC Listen App https://www.abc.net.au/listen/listenapp?sf264120931=1
📺Watch ABC iview https://iview.abc.net.au/

11/01/2026

10/01/2026

Tues 13 Jan ⚠️ Central Victoria Transmission Update:

Fire has damaged the Mount Alexander transmission site and it remains off air. The site normally provides Radio and TV services to communities around Bendigo, Castlemaine and surrounds. It is expected to take some time for services to be fully restored.

The outage is affecting ABC, SBS and commercial radio and television services. The transmission provider is working with fire authorities to find a safe way to access the site and restore services as soon as possible.

📻 ABC Local Radio Central Victoria is back on 91.1 FM for listeners in the immediate Bendigo area. Outside of Bendigo, tune to ABC Wimmera 594 AM for ongoing coverage.

📱Download the ABC Listen App https://www.abc.net.au/listen/listenapp
📺 Watch ABC iview https://iview.abc.net.au

10/01/2026

For a moment Troy “Catman” West thought his Mount Alexander property would be spared from the Ravenswood fire. Then the winds changed, and the flames were heading straight for his home.

Approximately 50 structures have so far been destroyed in the Ravenswood and Harcourt bushfire, according to emergency services.