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.

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Publish year Assurance activity Summary Organisation
2016 Audit and Quality Assurance Framework for Bushfire Management (External link) A framework to facilitate the maintenance of standards, continuous improvement and the management of risks for bushfire management activities (prevention, preparedness, fuel management, response and recovery). The framework is structured around risk, governance, continuous improvement, audit, people and capabilities, process, tools and systems and community and stakeholder management. Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
2016 Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry - Annual Report 2016 (External link) An assessment of the Victorian Government's progress of the recommendations from the 2014 and 2015–16 Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry reports, in line with the Victorian Government Implementation Plan and its 246 actions to address the recommendations and affirmations. Inspector-General for Emergency Management
2016 Lancefield-Cobaw Fire - Interim Progress Report - February 2016 (External link) A progress report on the implementation of the 22 recommendations from the independent investigation into the Lancefield-Cobaw fire and 10 additional commitments that DELWP made to improve the delivery of the Bushfire Fuel Management Program. Inspector-General for Emergency Management
2016 Beyond Bushfires Final Report 2010–2016 (External link) A report based on an examination of the impacts from the 2009 bushfires on community mental health, wellbeing and social relationships. The study found that although there was progressive recovery over time, evidence suggested delayed impacts on individual mental health extended five years on from the fires. Academia
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 Lancefield-Cobaw Fire - October 2015 Report of Community Observations and Response to Independent Investigation Auxiliary Report (External link) An independent investigation into the Lancefield planned burn and subsequent bushfire that escaped containment lines, it documents issues raised by community members and outlines treatment options for addressing gaps in performance or sustaining good practice with relevant organisations. Emergency Management Victoria
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 Review of Performance Targets for Bushfire Fuel Management on Public Land (External link) A review examining the appropriateness of a fixed hectare-based target for planned burning versus a risk reduction target. The review found that a risk reduction target would better encourage shared responsibility for the management of bushfire risk, integrate planning and investment, and provide a more adaptable approach for fuel management. Inspector-General for Emergency Management
2015 Bushfires Royal Commission Implementation Monitor Annual Report - July 2014 (External link) The final update on outstanding actions from the State’s Implementation Plan for each of the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission Final Report recommendations. Bushfires Royal Commission Implementation Monitor
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