General News
19 February, 2026
Submissions open for bushfire preparedness inquiry
SOUTH West Victorians have been encouraged to make their voices heard on the state’s bushfire preparedness, with submissions now open on a newly-secured inquiry.
Member for Lowan Emma Kealy said the Nationals had secured a Parliamentary inquiry to give communities across the state a chance to share their concerns and experiences with Victoria’s bushfire preparedness, planning and response.
The inquiry will consider bushfire causes, their impact on communities, businesses and the environment – including native wildlife – and the resourcing and funding of emergency services agencies.
It will also investigate the State Government’s fire preparation and planning including management of fuel loads and the management of public and private land and roadsides.
Ms Kealy, the deputy leader of the Nationals, encouraged volunteers, firefighters, farmers, emergency service personnel and community members to make a submission.
“Unfortunately, our region is more familiar with bushfires than many other parts of the state, having faced multiple significant fires in the past three summers,” she said.
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“Because of those experiences and their impacts, there is a wealth of knowledge and information in our communities that – when governments choose to listen – will help shape improved fire preparedness and responses.
“I strongly encourage those who have fought on the front line or in operational roles, people who have been directly impacted, those who provided support in the immediate aftermath and recovery, those who cared for wildlife impacted by the fire and the wider community to take the time to share their feedback so that we can develop practical recommendations for the future.”
Ms Kealy said the inquiry – which the Legislative Council’s Environment and Planning Standing Committee will lead – would also examine multiple recommendations from past inquiries which the Labor Government still had not implemented.
Submissions are open until March 15 and can be made at parliament.vic.gov.au/get-involved/inquiries/inquiry-into-the-2026-summer-fires-across-victoria/submissions.
The inquiry committee is due to provide a report to Parliament by June 1.
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