Council calls for emergency preparedness through bushfire inquiry

Council calls for emergency preparedness through bushfire inquiry

Published on 08 May 2026

Mansfield Shire Council is pleased to announce that our submission to the Parliament of Victoria's Inquiry into the 2026 summer fires across Victoria has been accepted by the Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee and is now published and available to view online.

The submission details the significant impacts of the Longwood-Berrys Lane fire and the Gaffney's Creek fire on the local community, economy and critical infrastructure.

Accompanied by a letter from Mayor Cr Steve Rabie, the submission highlights the unique challenges faced by rural councils managing vast, high-risk landscapes with limited ratepayer bases.

The submission also calls for recognition that existing emergency services facilities are not adequate for a rapidly growing population and the large number of visitors to this bushfire prone region.

Mayor Cr Steve Rabie said Council is grateful to the community members who have reached out to share their experiences with Council.

"This submission is a true reflection of the stories and the experiences that came out of Mansfield Shire during the 2026 Victorian bushfire season," he said.

"Thank you to everyone who has spoken to us to provide their insights, they were vital to our submission."

"Council put in a lot of hard work to support our community during the fires, we'll continue to support the community now the fires have passed. This submission is a reflection of that; our advocacy work is ongoing. We won't forget the lessons we learned during the fires and we'll use our voice to make sure these lessons are front of mind at all levels of government."

In the submission, Council recommended that disaster funding be expanded to reflect the disproportionate costs borne by rural communities, with a focus on rebuilding essential assets such as local roads, water infrastructure and public facilities vital to regional safety and connectivity.

"Above all else, we need to be prepared for emergencies. With 3900 new homes mandated by the state government, our shire is going to grow. The threat of fires and floods isn't going anywhere," Mayor Cr Rabie said.

"We need help in getting the Mansfield Emergency Services Precinct over the line. It's a project that will build the emergency resilience of not just Mansfield Shire but North East Victoria. The time is now. Ignoring the pressing need for it is neglect.

Council also urged greater government focus on resilient power and telecommunications infrastructure, including improved backup measures in high-risk areas and increased Federal support to restore emergency communications when primary systems fail.

To view Mansfield Shire Council's submission to the inquiry into the 2026 summer fires across Victoria and submissions from across the state, head to: https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/get-involved/inquiries/2026firesinquiry/submissions

• Community Safety