The Defence Force has started evacuating residents from a Victorian town at risk of bushfires.

The navy ship HMAS Choules, with the capacity of 1000, has docked off of Mallacoota with locals registering for the mass evacuation.

Mallacoota local Sean will be onboard the ship and tells Natalie Peters and Erin Molan he is preparing his family to evacuate.

“They started loading people onto the boat this morning and they’re still going.

“I think that anyone who wanted to go right now is going to get a ride on the boat.

“Best we get out and take a bit of stress and anxiety away from the people who are looking after the rest of the town.”

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Minister for Veteran Affairs and MP for Gippsland Darren Chester tells Natalie Peters and Erin Molan the operation is going smoothly.

“I’ve never seen anything like that in my community, to see so many people removed and taken off the coast.”

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Image: Nine News