Council
30 January, 2026
Opposition visits fire zones
LIBERAL leader Jess Wilson recently visited Skipton and Carranballac to meet with residents impacted by the recent Streatham/Skipton Fire.
Ms Wilson, alongside Members for Western Victoria Bev McArthur and Joe McCracken spoke with residents, farmers, Country Fire Authority (CFA) volunteers, recovery coordinators, community leaders and council representatives from the impacted communities.
Mrs McArthur said a lot of the discussion focused on the impact of the fire and recovery efforts going forward.
“Alongside the obvious devastation from loss and the tangible exhaustion, people also spoke about what has worked well,” Mrs McArthur said.
“The response from local councils was generally praised, including the level of cooperation across council boundaries, and Powercor too was also acknowledged for its responsiveness on the ground.
“There were mixed experiences with insurance companies – some were commended for acting quickly and constructively, while others were criticised for delays and uncertainty.
“We also discussed the destruction of the Carranballac Cricket Club rooms, which are far more than a sporting facility.
“They are a vital community hub – hosting social events, fundraisers and gatherings – and their loss has had a profound impact on the wider community.”
The visit was part of Ms Wilson’s visits to fire-affected communities across the state and meeting with those on the ground during the emergency and in the recovery period.
Mrs McArthur said she felt it was vital for her to join with Ms Wilson in visiting Skipton and Carranballac.
“As the local Upper House Member, I thought it vital to ensure the community’s experience is heard, and I hope learned from in future,” she said.
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“It was essential to be there– country people are resilient and self-reliant, but they value genuine engagement and respect.
“In Skipton, residents spoke about the toll of being hit time and again.
“After flooding in recent years, the fires are yet another blow, making recovery harder and stretching the community even further
“In Western Victoria our communities are already looking out for each other through volunteering, private firefighting support and local recovery efforts.”
Mrs McArthur said the reception she, Mr McCracken and Ms Wilson received was warm, gracious and practical.
“Despite everything they are dealing with, people went out of their way to be welcoming and hospitable to us, opening halls, sharing their stories, and making time to engage, even while they are still coping with loss and disruption,” she said.
“We are all extremely grateful for their efforts.
“I believe the people we met appreciated that Jess Wilson and her team were prepared to be on the ground, listening directly and engaging openly, without barriers or choreography.
“People know the difference between being listened to and being managed.
“I hope our visit was something of a contrast to the Premier’s recent visits, where communities have felt shut out and sidelined, with tightly managed appearances and departures through back doors.”
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