Bushfire preparedness across Victoria will be scrutinised under a new Parliamentary Inquiry, with regional communities encouraged to share their experiences following this summer’s fires.
The inquiry, led by the Environment and Planning Standing Committee of the Legislative Council, will examine the state’s preparedness, planning and response to the 2026 bushfire season.
Submissions are now open, with the committee seeking input from residents, emergency services personnel, landholders and businesses affected by recent fires.
Eastern Victoria MLC and committee member Melina Bath welcomed the inquiry, saying it provided an opportunity to review how the state prepared for and responded to bushfire threats across regional areas, including East Gippsland.
Ms Bath said communities in areas such as Dargo and across the broader region had been impacted by fires this summer, while many local volunteers and emergency personnel also travelled to assist in responses elsewhere in the state.
“Regional communities have been devastated by this summer’s bushfires, and there is an urgent need to review preparedness and emergency response across the state,”
she said.
“This inquiry gives us the opportunity to look honestly at what worked,
what didn’t, and what must change in
our planning, prevention, funding and
emergency coordination.”
Ms Bath encouraged a wide range of people to make submissions, including CFA volunteers, first responders, farmers, business owners and residents who experienced fire impacts or were involved in response efforts.
She said community input would play an important role in shaping the inquiry’s findings and recommendations, which are expected to inform future bushfire planning and mitigation strategies.
Submissions to the inquiry close on March 15, with details available via the Parliament of Victoria website. The committee is due to report its findings by June 1, 2026.
