The inquiry into the 2026 summer bushfires is in full swing this week as the committee visits affected areas across the state to inspect sites and hear directly from the people affected.
The Nationals’ Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad is a member of the Legislative Council’s Environment and Planning Committee conducting the inquiry, along with The Nationals’ Shadow Minister for Public Land Management, Melina Bath.
Ms Broad said the committee had heard some incredibly powerful and heart-breaking stories from the communities they visited.
“The catastrophic bushfires that tore through communities across Victoria changed lives overnight. These hearings provide an opportunity for people to share their experiences and shape the future of our fire preparedness and emergency response.”
Ms Broad said victims had highlighted the need for planned burns, and the significant help these burns could be an be in reducing the impact of fire.
Other key points to come out of the hearings so far include:
- The ageing fleet of fire trucks and equipment;
- The need for rural brigades to raise large amounts of money;
- Outdated facilities and ageing trucks mean brigades are losing volunteers;
- The significant contribution volunteers are making, including using their own vehicles to go to fire grounds and leaving their own homes to help defend others; and
- The lack of maintenance of grass and fuel levels on crown land by public authorities.
The inquiry is considering fire preparation and planning by government, including management of public and private land and roadsides. It will also investigate the causes of the bushfires, their impact on the community, business and the environment, including native wildlife, and resourcing and funding of emergency services agencies.
This week the committee schedule includes visits to Gellibrand, Colac, Quantong, Natimuk and Alexandra, Ruffy and Fawcett. Next Thursday the committee will visit Harcourt, where there will be an open mic session. People interested in speaking at the open mic must register their interest on the inquiry website.
The inquiry is due to report back to Parliament in July 2026.
The hearings and open mic sessions will be broadcast live on the committee’s website. https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/summerfires-hearings
Media Contact: Linda Barrow 0484 303 764 linda.barrow@parliament.vic.gov.au
