Timing of the Inquiry

All hazards

Risks spanning across multiple hazard types and across the emergency management system.

Biosecurity

Exotic animal and plant disease outbreaks and pest incursions can have significant economic, community and environmental impacts.

Bushfire and other fires

Bushfire and other fires have potential consequences including loss of life and property, and damage to infrastructure and environment.

Climate change

Risks include more days of extreme heat, harsher fire weather, less rainfall and rising sea levels.

Communications disruption

Communications services are crucial in keeping communities safe, connected and informed before, during and after emergencies.

Cyber security and ICT systems failure

Risks relating to the confidentiality, availability, integrity of information and data and disruption of services.

Energy supply disruption

Reliable energy supplies are critical to many social and economic activities.

Flood

Major flood events have occurred in Victoria every 10 to 20 years, with much of the increasing risk created by human settlement.

Hazardous material incident

Potential risks relate to many places where Victoria’s hazardous materials are manufactured, stored, transported, used and disposed.

Heatwave

Heatwaves are considered to be the ‘silent killer’ of extreme weather events and are the leading cause of weather-related deaths in Australia.

Public health emergency

Risks may relate to the delivery of public health services, with impacts on community health and wellbeing and potential for loss of life.

Supply chain disruption

Geopolitical, environmental, economic, societal and infrastructure-related shocks can expose supply chains to wide ranging consequences.

Terrorism and extremism

Attacks carried out by individuals or non-state groups with ideological, political or religious goals can result in loss of life, severe injury and/or material damage.

Water supply disruption

Risks include collection, storage, treatment, delivery, availability and allocation of water for consumption and environmental, recreation and cultural uses.

Workforce and resourcing

Risks may relate to human resource supply and skills to support emergency management operations.

Phase 1 - Sector and community preparedness and response

Work under Phase 1 has concluded

Inspector-General Tony Pearce delivered government with his report on Phase 1 of the independent Inquiry on 31 July 2020.

On 14 October 2020 the Victorian Government responded to the Fire Season Inquiry Phase 1 report, accepting all 17 recommendations.

This report should be read in conjunction with the Review of 10 years of reform in Victoria’s emergency management sector as its recommendations are relevant to the findings of the Inquiry and are referenced throughout the Phase 1 report.

Read the government's response to both IGEM reports from emv.vic.gov.au (External link)

Phase 2 - Relief and recovery arrangements

Work under Phase 2 has concluded

Inspector-General Tony Pearce delivered government with his report on Phase 2 of the independent Inquiry on 30 July 2021.

Delivery of this second and final report concluded the Inspector-General’s independent Inquiry.

On 14 October 2021 the Victorian Government responded to the Fire Season Inquiry - Phase 2 report, accepting all 15 recommendations.

Read the government's response to both IGEM reports from emv.vic.gov.au (External link).

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Assurance in Emergency Management

Phase 1 - Sector and community preparedness and response

Work under Phase 1 has concluded

Phase 2 - Relief and recovery arrangements

Work under Phase 2 has concluded

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