The Victorian Government is continuing to reform the state’s fire services based on recommendations from the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission and other subsequent reviews.
As part of the reform, the Fire District Review Panel (the Panel) has been established to undertake reviews of the Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) fire district boundaries at least once every four years. The current review is to be completed and recommendations made to the Minister for Emergency Services (the Minister) by 30 June 2024.
The Minister may also request additional reviews of any FRV fire district boundaries to address location specific issues and emerging risks.
Following the Panel’s recommendations, any change(s) to the FRV fire district boundaries will be determined by the Minister.
The Panel is an independent public entity that commenced on 1 July 2020. It is bound by legislative obligations under section 4 of the Fire Rescue Victoria Act 1958.
Its remit is to provide independent advice to the Minister on whether drivers such as population growth, service demand, land use and climate change are altering the fire risk, and whether these changes mean the FRV fire district boundaries need to be adjusted.
Accordingly, this discussion paper describes the proposed approach for undertaking a quantitative risk assessment as the basis for determining recommendations to the Minister.
As part of the review process, the Panel will consult with all relevant stakeholders, including fire agencies and local government. This discussion paper is the first step in the consultation process. It outlines the proposed risk assessment methodology to be used for reviews and invites feedback.
To have your say:
- read the discussion paper and supporting appendices
- consider the proposed risk assessment methodology
- share your thoughts by completing the survey. The survey closes 5pm on Friday 19 November 2021.
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