2.2 Inquiry into the 2019–20 Victorian Fire Season

On 14 January 2020 the Victorian Government announced IGEM would conduct an independent Inquiry into the 2019–20 Victorian fire season.

About the fire season

During the 2019–20 fire season Victoria faced its most challenging bushfire emergency since the devastating 2009 bushfires, with a geographic scale not seen since 1939. Between November 2019 and February 2020, more than 1.5 million hectares of land were seared by fire in large parts of Victoria’s North East, Gippsland, and Alpine regions.

Five people died, and some 313 primary residences and 145 non-primary residences were destroyed or damaged. Commercial properties and other buildings were also destroyed or damaged, along with community infrastructure, cultural heritage sites and environmental assets. The impacts on flora, fauna and waterways are still being assessed and experienced.

Many regional businesses, including hundreds not directly affected by the fires themselves, were impacted by the events of the fire season. Tourism was among the most affected industries. Agriculture, logistics, and small businesses across a range of sectors were also affected.

About the Inquiry

IGEM’s Inquiry was conducted in two phases and concluded on 30 July 2021.

 Phase 1 considered Victoria’s preparedness for and response to the 2019–20 fires. The Phase 1 report was provided to the then Minister for Police and Emergency Services on 31 July 2020. It made 66 observations, 36 findings, and 17 recommendations.

 Phase 2 considered the progress and effectiveness of the state’s immediate relief and recovery arrangements in relation to the 2019–20 fire season. The Phase 2 report was provided to the then Minister for Police and Emergency Services on 30 July 2021. It made 48 observations, 111 findings, and 15 recommendations.

Many community members shared their views and experiences with the Inquiry by making a submission. The Inquiry reports are available at igem.vic.gov.au

2.3 10 Year Review and Phase 1 government response and implementation plans

On 14 October 2020 the Victorian Government responded to the 10 Year Review and Phase 1 report, accepting all 22 recommendations.3

Following the release of the government response, an interim Interdepartmental Committee (IDC) was established, co-chaired by Emergency Management Victoria (EMV) and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP), to support development of implementation plans and provide oversight of their delivery.

Detailed implementation plans were released on 30 July 2021. The plans outlined 139 government actions in relation to the two reports, specified the lead department or agency responsible for implementing each action, and included the expected completion dates for some actions.4

In February 2022 government approved the IDC’s closure and transferred responsibility for oversight of the delivery of the plans and any future adjustments to the SCRC. The SCRC was the authorising body for amendments to the implementation plan in October 2021 and June 2022.

3 The government response is available at emv.vic.gov.au/publications/gov-response-igem-review-10years-reformand-2019-20-inquiry-phase1

4 The implementation plans are available at vic.gov.au/igem-inquiry-review-implementation-plans

In June 2022, SCRC approved the cessation of public progress reporting on delivery of the implementation plan via the Victorian Government website, given this process duplicates public progress reporting by IGEM on its website. SCRC endorsed that any future changes to scope or delivery dates for the actions to be made by relevant departments and agencies, in consultation with relevant ministers. Lead departments and agencies are expected to report to SCRC on key implementation risks and issues on an as needs basis.

Revisions to the 10 Year Review and Phase 1 implementation plan

October 2021

On 7 October 2021 SCRC endorsed an updated implementation plan which outlined changes to the scope and/or delivery timeframes of selected actions in light of the 2021–22 Victorian State Budget outcomes and the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and June 2021 extreme weather event.

June 2022

On 30 June 2022 SCRC approved amendments to delivery dates for 20 actions reflecting further delays from the impacts of budget outcomes and resourcing challenges due to emergencies. This included seven actions that will not be advanced without dedicated funding5. IGEM considers these actions to be 'on hold' and will continue to monitor the status of these actions.

IGEM's monitoring is based on the revised June 2022 implementation plan with any further revisions to the scope and delivery dates of actions subject to approval by relevant departments and agencies, in consultation with relevant ministers.

2.4 Phase 2 government response and implementation statement

In October 2021 the Victorian Government responded to the Phase 2 report by supporting all 15 recommendations.

On 30 June 2022 SCRC endorsed an implementation statement outlining the government's approach to implementing all recommendations from the Phase 2 report as part of its broader commitment to strategic relief and recovery reform.

IGEM has been provided with a final version of the statement however as of September 2022 the government had yet to approve the statement for public release. Therefore IGEM is unable to provide an update on implementation progress against the statement in this report.

Establishment of a dedicated recovery entity

Recommendation 13 from the Phase 2 report involves the establishment of dedicated recovery entity and underpins other Phase 2 implementation activity:

Recommendation 13

The Inspector-General for Emergency Management recommends that the Victorian Government establish a permanent and comprehensive entity dedicated to recovery management with the authority, capability, capacity and resourcing to coordinate the planning and delivery of recovery functions for all emergencies.

5 In June 2022, SCRC provided approval for the following actions to no longer have specified delivery dates as progression of these actions is dependent on the availability of dedicated funding: 10YOR Actions 3.3, 4.2, 4.6 and 4.7, and FSIP1 Actions 11.12, 15.8 and 17.4. Two of these actions - 10YOR Action 3.3 and FSIP1 Action 11.12 were subsequently progressed and reported as complete in this report.

The Phase 2 implementation statement references the government's response to Recommendation 13 which includes the establishment of the new entity Emergency Recovery Victoria (ERV). ERV will operate as a standalone business unit of the Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS) and will be a new, permanent, and comprehensive recovery entity. This action will entail Bushfire Recovery Victoria (BRV) expanding its responsibilities and transition to ERV encompassing all emergencies across the state.

It is intended that ERV will:

 work closely with the recovery sector to help build stronger communities that are better prepared for, and recover faster from, emergencies

 be better integrated with the emergency management sector to ensure a seamless transition from response to recovery

 work with local government and communities to ensure they lead their own engagement processes, collectively determine their recovery priorities and plan how they will achieve them.

In May 2022 government approved the design and implementation plan for ERV. A DJCS Steering Group will guide the development and establishment of ERV and agency transition plans to address interim and final entity arrangements over a phased duration. A Working Group will also be established to support the activities of the Steering Group.

2.5 IGEM's implementation monitoring role

IGEM’s implementation monitoring offers assurance to government and the community that lessons from emergencies contribute to sustainable improvements that make a difference for Victorian communities.

In April 2021 the then Minister for Police and Emergency Services requested that IGEM report by November each year on the work of departments and agencies in implementing the actions committed to in the government response and implementation plans under section 64(1)(ca) of the EM Act 2013. The request asked IGEM to consider any risks or delays to implementation progress and invited inclusion of assessment or commentary on the alignment of implementation with the intent of the 10 Year Review and Phase 1 report recommendations.

In October 2021 the Minister for Emergency Services requested that IGEM monitor and report on the implementation of Phase 2 recommendations, consistent with its monitoring of the implementation of Phase 1 actions.

IGEM will provide a progress update of remaining 10 Year Review and Phase 1 actions, as well as Phase 2 actions, in its next progress report.

For a full list of all recommendations and actions pertaining to the 10 Year Review and Phase 1 report, including actions reported as complete or closed in IGEM’s 2021 progress report, refer to Appendix A.