South eastern Australia, including Victoria, is among the most bushfire-prone areas in the world.

Victoria’s high bushfire risk is due to a combination of factors including increasing population density in fire-prone areas.

Major bushfires can lead to loss of life and injury, damage to key state infrastructure such as electricity transmission lines, water supply assets and transport links.

Additionally, fast moving grass fires in metro/rural interface environments, structure fires in urban environments, and mine fires caused by fires in nearby bushland all pose their unique challenges and consequences.

Examples of significant bushfires and related fires include the 2009 Black Saturday fires, 2014 Hazelwood mine fire and more recently the 2019-20 fires which led to major reviews at state level and a Royal Commission at national level: Inquiry into the 2019–20 Victorian Fire Season and Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements respectively.

All links in the table below will open in a new window.
Publish year Assurance activity Summary Organisation
2015 Emergency Service Response Times (External link) An assessment of the accountability of emergency service organisations and the relevant portfolio departments for response time performance. The audit found that there were multiple problems with emergency response time measures, targets and data that prevent Parliament and the public from holding agencies fully to account. Victorian Auditor-General's Office
2015 Independent investigation into Lancefield-Cobaw fire  (External link) An investigation of a fire resulting from a planned burn that broke containment lines, this report recommended improvements to the planned burning systems and processes of DELWP. The new direction, to be implemented over the next five years sought to ensure that fire and land managers and community work as one to reduce bushfire risk. Independent
2015 Interim Report on the Inquiry into the CFA Training College at Fiskville (External link) The Interim Report identifies a number of key themes emerging from submissions and the first four public hearings Parliament of Victoria
2015 Stewarton Fire Review Community Report (External link) A review examining the significant storm and subsequent fire activity that occured across the Hume region of Victoria and its impact on the communities of Goorambat, Goomalibee and Stewarton. Victoria Police
2016 Summary of investigations into breaches of planned burn control lines (1 January to 30 June 2016) (External link) A summary of IGEM’s observations of investigations into breaches of control lines by planned burns conducted by DELWP during the period 1 January 2016 to 30 June 2016, that focuses on the observations and opportunities for continuous improvement. Inspector-General for Emergency Management
2016 Review of community recovery following the 2013–14 Victorian bushfires (External link) A system-wide review to identify opportunities to improve strategies for engaging with communities and supporting community recovery following a major emergency. The review found that early consideration of characteristics of different groups within communities is critical to ensuring recovery programs are coordinated and empower community action. Inspector-General for Emergency Management
2016 Review of the initial response to the 2015 Wye River – Jamieson Track fire (External link) A review of learnings from the bushfires that burned for 34 days ignited by lightning strikes in the Barwon Otway area. Government and the EMC, in collaboration with the fire responder agencies, accepted all four recommendations on good practice and fostering continuous improvement. Inspector-General for Emergency Management
2016 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission - 2016 Progress Report (External link) An assessment of the implementation of the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission recommendations and actions addressing a broad range of issues including community warnings, shelter options, emergency management governance and incident management, powerline safety, planning and building, and land and fuel management. Inspector-General for Emergency Management
2016 2013–14 Fire Season Compliance Report – 2016 Final Progress Update (External link) Final progress report on the implementation of identified actions from three 2013–14 fire season reports; these actions related to improvements to road traffic management, community involvement, initial attack and utilisation of resources, cross-border fire arrangements and other systemic issues. Inspector-General for Emergency Management
2016 Lancefield-Cobaw Fire - Progress Report - June 2016 (External link) The second report on DELWP’s implementation of recommendations and commitments in response to the Lancefield-Cobaw Fire, overall it found that DELWP had acted swiftly to respond to the Investigation findings and rebuild community trust. Inspector-General for Emergency Management