Murrindindi welcomes Bushfire Inquiry report and calls for action

As Victoria's most severely affected municipality during the 2026 summer bushfires, Murrindindi Shire Council has welcomed the release of the Victorian Parliament's Inquiry into the Fires, saying the report reflects the experiences shared by fire-affected communities and provides a strong foundation for improving disaster recovery across Victoria.

Mayor Cr Damien Gallagher said it was encouraging to see Parliament recognise many of the issues communities had been raising since the fires, but the focus must now turn to action.

"The important thing now is for the Victorian Government to turn these recommendations into practical improvements that people actually notice on the ground.".

The report reflects evidence provided throughout the Inquiry by local residents, farmers, volunteers, community organisations, neighbourhood houses, emergency services, businesses and Council. It acknowledges that recovery extends well beyond the emergency response and that support should better reflect the level of impact experienced by individual communities.

"This report belongs to everyone who took the time to share their experiences," Cr Gallagher said.

" For many people across Murrindindi, the recovery is far from over. Seeing those experiences recognised by Parliament is important, but what really matters now is putting those lessons into practice."

Council welcomed the Inquiry's recommendation that recovery funding be reviewed as the true scale of damage and community need becomes clearer, and that future funding better reflects the impact experienced by individual communities.

"Every major disaster is different, and communities recover at different speeds because they experience different levels of loss," Cr Gallagher said.

"If recovery support is based on impact rather than assumptions made in the first few weeks after a disaster, communities have a much better chance of rebuilding well."

The report also recognises the extraordinary contribution of volunteers, neighbourhood houses, community organisations, sporting clubs, businesses, recovery hubs and local leaders throughout Murrindindi's recovery.

"Our community demonstrated what can be achieved when people come together to support one another," Cr Gallagher said.

"People often talk about resilience as though communities simply find it when disaster strikes. The reality is resilience is built over many years through trusted relationships, strong local organisations and neighbours looking after neighbours.

"Community resilience is one of our greatest strengths, but it should never become a substitute for government responsibility."

Council also welcomed the report's recognition of the expanding role local government now plays during disasters and throughout long-term recovery.

"Rural councils are now expected to coordinate recovery, restore infrastructure, support businesses, strengthen community wellbeing and help communities rebuild, often for years after the emergency has passed," Cr Gallagher said.

"These responsibilities have grown significantly. The funding and capability available to councils must grow with them."

While welcoming the report, Council said its success would ultimately depend on implementation.

Council will continue advocating for:

• implementation of the Inquiry's recommendations;
• a transparent, impact-based recovery funding model;
• sustainable funding for the long-term recovery role of rural councils;
• stronger support for community hubs and locally led recovery; and
• a clear implementation roadmap so communities can see how recommendations are being delivered.

"Our advocacy doesn't stop with the release of this report," Cr Gallagher said.

"If the lessons learned in Murrindindi help strengthen Victoria's emergency management system, every community facing future disasters will be better prepared and better supported.

"No community wants to become an expert in disaster recovery. The real measure of success will be whether these recommendations are turned into practical improvements before the next emergency."

The full Inquiry into the 2026 Summer Fires report can be accessed via the Victorian Parliament website:https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/parliamentary-activity/tabled-documents-database/tabled-document-details/10329