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Inquiry Hears Towong Residents as Summer Fires Impact Comes Under Scrutiny
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Residents of Corryong and the wider Towong Shire were given an opportunity to speak directly to the Victorian Parliament’s summer fires inquiry through a special online ‘open mic’ session. Towong Shire Council also su...
Residents of Corryong and the wider Towong Shire were given an opportunity to speak directly to the Victorian Parliament’s summer fires inquiry through a special online ‘open mic’ session. Towong Shire Council also submitted a formal report outlining the severe economic, infrastructure, and emergency management challenges caused by the 2026 bushfires, including road damage, power and telecommunications failures, and difficulties establishing relief centres for cross-border communities.
The Victorian Parliament’s inquiry into the devastating 2026 summer bushfires has provided residents of Corryong and surrounding communities in Towong Shire with a direct opportunity to share their experiences and concerns. Following sustained lobbying by Towong Shire Council and strong community advocacy, the inquiry held a dedicated online ‘open mic’ session, allowing Upper Murray residents to speak about the profound impacts of the fires and the challenges faced during the emergency. Although the session was welcomed as an important step, community members and local media expressed disappointment that the inquiry provided very little notice, limiting the ability of many affected residents to prepare submissions. Participation was also restricted to just twenty speakers, each allocated only three minutes to present their views. In its comprehensive submission, Towong Shire Council highlighted the far-reaching consequences of the bushfires, emphasizing that the disaster caused significant disruption to local businesses, tourism operators, and households. Prolonged road closures and restricted access led to lost trade for businesses, while cancellations during the peak summer holiday season severely affected accommodation providers, retailers, and hospitality venues. The council also noted that financial pressures resulting from the fires have compounded mental health and wellbeing challenges across the community. A major concern identified in the submission was the failure of essential infrastructure, particularly electricity and telecommunications services, which proved unreliable during the emergency. Council argued that these shortcomings placed residents at greater risk and hindered effective coordination of response efforts. The submission also stressed that lessons from the catastrophic 2019–20 bushfires have not been fully implemented, especially regarding the provision and resourcing of evacuation and relief centres for isolated cross-border communities in the Upper Murray region. The council further criticized the administration of state and federal recovery grant programs, stating that complex processes and delays created additional burdens during the transition from emergency response to long-term recovery. Another urgent issue raised was the deteriorating condition of key transport routes, including the Murray Valley Highway and Murray River Road. Council described these roads as being riddled with dangerous potholes, rough surfaces, and crumbling shoulders, conditions that are particularly concerning because they serve as vital evacuation routes and access corridors for emergency services. Towong Shire Council has called on both the Victorian and New South Wales governments to provide substantial investment in road repairs, resilient infrastructure, and better support for cross-border emergency planning. The submission underscores the need for all levels of government to recognize the unique and ongoing risks faced by rural communities and to ensure they are better prepared for future bushfire events.
CouncilTowongEmergencyResidentsShire
Residents of Corryong and the wider Towong Shire were given an opportunity to speak directly to the Victorian Parliament’s summer fires inquiry through a special online ‘open mic’ session. Towong Shire Council also submitted a formal report outlining the severe economic, infrastructure, and emergency management challenges caused by the 2026 bushfires, including road damage, power and telecommunications failures, and difficulties establishing relief centres for cross-border communities.
The Victorian Parliament’s inquiry into the devastating 2026 summer bushfires has provided residents of Corryong and surrounding communities in Towong Shire with a direct opportunity to share their experiences and concerns. Following sustained lobbying by Towong Shire Council and strong community advocacy, the inquiry held a dedicated online ‘open mic’ session, allowing Upper Murray residents to speak about the profound impacts of the fires and the challenges faced during the emergency. Although the session was welcomed as an important step, community members and local media expressed disappointment that the inquiry provided very little notice, limiting the ability of many affected residents to prepare submissions. Participation was also restricted to just twenty speakers, each allocated only three minutes to present their views. In its comprehensive submission, Towong Shire Council highlighted the far-reaching consequences of the bushfires, emphasizing that the disaster caused significant disruption to local businesses, tourism operators, and households. Prolonged road closures and restricted access led to lost trade for businesses, while cancellations during the peak summer holiday season severely affected accommodation providers, retailers, and hospitality venues. The council also noted that financial pressures resulting from the fires have compounded mental health and wellbeing challenges across the community. A major concern identified in the submission was the failure of essential infrastructure, particularly electricity and telecommunications services, which proved unreliable during the emergency. Council argued that these shortcomings placed residents at greater risk and hindered effective coordination of response efforts. The submission also stressed that lessons from the catastrophic 2019–20 bushfires have not been fully implemented, especially regarding the provision and resourcing of evacuation and relief centres for isolated cross-border communities in the Upper Murray region. The council further criticized the administration of state and federal recovery grant programs, stating that complex processes and delays created additional burdens during the transition from emergency response to long-term recovery. Another urgent issue raised was the deteriorating condition of key transport routes, including the Murray Valley Highway and Murray River Road. Council described these roads as being riddled with dangerous potholes, rough surfaces, and crumbling shoulders, conditions that are particularly concerning because they serve as vital evacuation routes and access corridors for emergency services. Towong Shire Council has called on both the Victorian and New South Wales governments to provide substantial investment in road repairs, resilient infrastructure, and better support for cross-border emergency planning. The submission underscores the need for all levels of government to recognize the unique and ongoing risks faced by rural communities and to ensure they are better prepared for future bushfire events.
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