Preface

The aftermath of the 2019–20 fire season continues to have a ripple effect on communities, infrastructure, and the environment. However, it has also led to vital reflections and opportunities for reforms on how emergencies are managed in Victoria.

My Inquiry into the 2019–20 Victorian Fire Season: Phase 1 – Community and sector preparedness for and response to the 2019–20 fire season report (Phase 1 report) made recommendations to ensure that Victoria will be better prepared for future events. Following the release of the Phase 1 report and my Review of 10 Years of reform in Victoria’s emergency management sector (10 Year Review), the Victorian Government put forward detailed implementation plans outlining actions to address each of the 22 recommendations from both reports.

This is the second progress report assuring the community and government of the implementation of these actions. Of the 139 actions committed by the government to address recommendations from the 10 Year Review and Phase 1 report, a further 34 actions have been assessed as complete or closed, leaving 47 actions in progress.

The implemented actions have brought about significant changes to better equip the sector and the community to handle future emergencies. I am pleased to report that the Office of Bushfire Risk Management is now established, and I commend the efforts of the sector in progressing development of the whole-of-sector bushfire strategy. Both initiatives will contribute to a clear vision for bushfire fuel management in Victoria.

Other significant achievements include the delivery of the Victorian Emergency Management Sector Outcomes Framework which articulates high-level outcomes the sector seeks to achieve for communities before, during and after an emergency. The evacuation exercises carried out by Victoria Police will help to better prepare responsible organisations to handle future emergencies and evacuate high-risk communities efficiently.

I also acknowledge the efforts of Emergency Management Victoria and sector partners to implement the new Australian Fire Danger Rating System and the Australian Warning System across Victoria. This is an important step forward to achieving clear, consistent messaging across the community. It is also worth noting that the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions-led Victorian implementation of the Strengthening Telecommunications Against Natural Disasters program is near completion, which will better connect and prepare high-risk communities for future emergencies.

Implementation of remaining actions has not been without their challenges. Many actions have had their planned completion timeframes extended due to funding constraints, availability of resources, the consultation necessary for complex legislative reforms, and other difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these challenges, I appreciate the cooperation and efforts of lead organisations in implementing the remaining actions and recommendations across this period.

On 30 July 2021 I delivered my Inquiry into the 2019–20 Victorian Fire Season: Phase 2 – Progress and effectiveness of Victoria’s immediate relief and recovery arrangements report (Phase 2 report) to the Minister for Emergency Services, which concluded the independent Inquiry. The Phase 2 report contains 15 recommendations to address relief and recovery arrangements. Much of the work in relation to these recommendations depends on establishing a dedicated recovery entity – Emergency Recovery Victoria. The government has also worked to develop an implementation statement to support the delivery of Phase 2 recommendations. I look forward to reporting on the implementation of these recommendations in my next progress report, consistent with my monitoring of Phase 1.

In closing, I acknowledge the significant progress made during this reporting period, and commend all lead organisations for working collaboratively to establish and embed key initiatives and to foster continuous improvement of emergency management arrangements.

Tony Pearce Inspector-General for Emergency Management