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Melina Bath said a VAGO report exposed ongoing failures in bushfire risk and fuel management

A VAGO report has raised concerns about Victoria’s bushfire risk management, citing unreliable assessments, inconsistent fuel reduction practices, and ongoing failures to improve data accuracy and transparency under the Allan Labor government.

By news@gippsland - 10th June 2026 - Back to News

A new report has raised fresh concerns about the Allan Labor government’s management of Victoria’s bushfire risk. Shadow Minister for Public Land Management, Melina Bath, said an independent report by the Victorian Auditor-General (VAGO) had exposed ongoing failures in bushfire risk assessment and fuel management.

Melina Bath said the VAGO report shows bushfire risk is underestimated, with unreliable data undermining community confidence and protection

Bushfire risk concerns

Ms Bath said, "The VAGO report, Follow-up: Reducing Bushfire Risk, shows bushfire risk is being under-estimated and fuel reduction decisions are not providing communities with the protection they deserve. Communities need confidence that the system designed to keep them safe is based on accurate and reliable data. Right now, that confidence simply isn’t there."

The report found longstanding issues with bushfire fuel hazard assessments remain unresolved, despite first being identified six years ago. "Labor is not conducting enough fuel hazard assessments and the methods being used remain inconsistent and unreliable."

"The findings show bushfire risk assessment problems have not been fixed, targets have not been updated, and Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) staff continue to rely too heavily on visual judgement, undermining the accuracy of the data. As a result, the Allan Labor government cannot guarantee its bushfire risk modelling is accurate, offering little reassurance to communities facing bushfire danger," Ms Bath said.

Bushfire planning failures

The Auditor-General also raised concerns about transparency, finding DEECA overstated its progress in implementing previous recommendations. "These failures undermine confidence in bushfire planning and preparedness.

"Six years on from the Black Summer bushfires, Victorians are still seeing the same issues identified, with too little progress made to address them. Only a Liberal and Nationals government will deliver more practical planned burning, properly measure bushfire risk, report it transparently and ensure communities are better protected," Ms Bath said.

Pictures from Melina Bath MP Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  Bass Coast Council is trialling new multilingual coastal safety signage at high-risk beaches, providing hazard warnings, QR codes, and educational resources to improve visitor safety and reduce drowning incidents.
• Wellington Shire Council seeks feedback on the Domestic Animal Management Plan Review until 24 September 2025
  Wellington Shire Council's draft Domestic Animal Management Plan outlines priorities for responsible pet ownership, safety, and welfare, inviting community feedback from 28 August to 24 September 2025.
• Coalition and crossbench Senators reject Albanese government’s Defence Honours Bill, citing consultation failures, appeal rights removal
  Coalition and crossbench Senators oppose the Albanese government’s Defence Honours Bill, citing lack of consultation, threat to veterans’ appeal rights, and overwhelming stakeholder opposition, urging its complete abandonment.
• Baw Baw Shire aquatic facilities future management decision announced
  Baw Baw Council will continue current aquatic and leisure facility operations with YMCA Victoria for 12 months, ensuring service continuity while assessing future management and preparing for a future tender process.
• Latrobe City adopts Amendment C150, rezoning Traralgon Golf Club land to reflect ongoing recreational use
  Latrobe City Council has adopted Amendment C150, rezoning Traralgon Golf Club land to a Special Use Zone, securing its long-term recreational use and preventing residential development.
• The Nationals pledge fair infrastructure funding for Gippsland, addressing regional Victoria’s ongoing underinvestment gap
  The Nationals have pledged to secure Gippsland a fair share of infrastructure funding, arguing regional Victoria is underfunded compared to its population and deserves greater investment in key services.
• Victorian government confirms Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix will remain at Phillip Island with ongoing event support
  Bass Coast Council welcomes Victorian Government confirming Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix will stay at Phillip Island, rejecting Albert Park move, ensuring ongoing funding, supporting tourism, jobs, and regional community benefits beyond 2026.
• Coalition demands Albanese government regulate veterans’ advocacy sector after damning Senate committee report release
  The Coalition urges urgent laws to regulate veterans’ advocacy, citing unethical practices, rising commercial providers, data risks, and unmet Royal Commission reforms to better protect vulnerable veterans and their families.
• South Gippsland Shire Council celebrates major project milestones and strong financial performance, and achievements in 2024/25 Annual Report
  South Gippsland Shire Council's 2024/25 Annual Report highlights major infrastructure projects, strong financial management, expanded community services, and full achievement of Council Plan initiatives across the past 12 months.
• South Gippsland Shire Council celebrates major project milestones and strong financial performance, and achievements in 2024/25 Annual Report
  South Gippsland Shire Council's 2024/25 Annual Report highlights major infrastructure projects, strong financial management, expanded community services, and full achievement of Council Plan initiatives across the past 12 months.
• Darren Chester raises concerns over gaps, inconsistencies in autism education after meeting worried local mother
  Darren Chester raised concerns about gaps in autism education after meeting Metung mother Lily Martyn, whose son George may miss specialist school due to strict IQ-based eligibility criteria.
• Nationals urge government to address wine industry crisis, converting excess wine into ethanol to support fuel supply and struggling growers
  The Nationals urge urgent action on Australia’s wine oversupply crisis, proposing surplus stock be converted to ethanol to support fuel supply and assist struggling growers facing mounting financial pressure.
• Tim Bull credited Darren Chester for securing post–Black Summer funding but criticised Labor’s mismanagement delaying the recovery project
  Tim Bull has criticised delays to the Mallacoota–Genoa Road upgrade, saying the Victorian government has wasted funding on consultants while failing to deliver long-promised bushfire recovery works.
• CFA faces critical staffing shortages in Gippsland as Labor government fails to act before dangerous fire season
  A new report reveals serious CFA staffing shortages in Gippsland, with vacancies, fatigue, and leadership gaps risking slower responses this dangerous fire season. Labor must act urgently.
• Danny O’Brien says Labor is delaying the Traralgon bypass, blaming mine rehabilitation and ongoing inaction
  Danny O’Brien says Labor is delaying the Traralgon bypass, blaming Loy Yang mine rehabilitation, leaving Gippsland frustrated after decades of stalled planning and inaction.
• Latrobe City Mayor Cr Gibson urges governments to reconsider brown coal oil production to address Australia’s fuel crisis and energy security
  Latrobe City Mayor urges State and Federal governments to reconsider brown coal-to-oil production as a solution to Australia’s fuel crisis and long-term energy security challenges.
• Opposition outlines priorities in Budget-in-Reply speech focusing on economic management and key commitments
  Opposition Budget reply criticises Labor for broken promises, higher costs, energy policy and regional neglect, while outlining alternative plan focused on cheaper energy, infrastructure investment, lower taxes and growth strategy.
• Bellbird Park to receive new raised pedestrian crossing improving safety and accessibility for Drouin’s busy sporting precinct
  Bellbird Park sports precinct in Drouin will receive a new raised pedestrian crossing improving safety, visibility, and accessibility for all users.
• Nature positive farming field day, sustainable practices, carbon insights, and soil management at Malabar farm
  Join Jenny and Paul O'Sullivan at Malabar Farm on 20 November 2025 for a free Nature Positive Farming field day, exploring sustainable practices, greenhouse gas estimation, soil carbon, and carbon farming benefits.
• Field and Game petition exceeds 12,000 signatures, prompting Victorian Parliament debate on firearm laws and community safety concerns
  A Field and Game Australia petition, supported by Melina Bath, surpasses 12,000 signatures, prompting Victorian Parliament debate on firearm laws, urging evidence-based policy and protecting law-abiding gun owners.
• East Gippsland Council to install raised pedestrian crossings and enhanced lighting on Lakes Entrance Church Street
  East Gippsland Council will install two raised pedestrian crossings and improved lighting on Church Street, Lakes Entrance, enhancing safety, prioritising pedestrians, and supporting safer travel for residents and visitors.
• East Gippsland Mayor Jodie Ashworth urges vigilance, community support and preparedness during recent extreme heat and bushfire risks
  East Gippsland Mayor acknowledges recent extreme heat, commends community responses, urges vigilance, bushfire preparedness, checking on vulnerable people, accessing support services, and using Vic Emergency app and Emergency Dashboard.
• Rising dog attacks concerns in East Gippsland highlight the need for responsible ownership and community safety
  East Gippsland has seen over 140 dog attacks last year, 31 this year. Council urges responsible ownership, leashing, and secure confinement to keep pets, people, and public spaces safe.
• East Gippsland Council confirms compliance with 2025-26 rate cap, maintaining responsible financial management and community support
  East Gippsland Council has confirmed compliance with the 2025–26 Victorian rate cap, keeping increases below the 3% limit to ease cost-of-living pressures while maintaining essential services.
• Labor under fire as Treasurer dodges questions on cuts to vital frontline emergency services jobs
  Labor faces backlash over emergency services job cuts, with Treasurer Jaclyn Symes denying losses despite reports of hundreds axed. Nationals accuse Labor of financial mismanagement, risking regional safety and environmental protection.
• East Gippslander John Mulligan, 94, launches 'Our Mismanaged Forests', sharing lifetime environmental knowledge and practical forest management insights
  East Gippslander John Mulligan, 94, launches Our Mismanaged Forests, sharing lifetime bush experience and advocating practical forest management, fuel reduction, and Indigenous fire practices to improve safety and environmental outcomes.
• Darren Chester warns Labor gun law changes unfairly target regions, distract from government extremism failures
  Gippsland MP Darren Chester says Labor’s firearm law changes unfairly punish regional Australians, distract from failures tackling anti-Semitism and extremism, and won’t prevent terrorism like the Bondi attack tragedy violence.
• Latrobe City Council endorses community engagement on draft financial, asset, and road management plans
  Council endorsed community engagement on key draft plans, including the Financial, Asset, and Road Management Plans, ensuring alignment with the Community Vision, Council Plan, and long-term strategic planning framework.
• Nationals demand urgent Tourism Ministers meeting and interest-free loans for regional operators amid fuel crisis impact
  The Nationals are urging an urgent ministerial meeting and interest-free loans for regional tourism operators hit by the fuel crisis, warning of falling bookings, cancellations, job losses, and declining confidence.
• East Gippsland children share ideas, hopes, and concerns to shape community and celebrate local voices through MFEG project
  Nearly 800 East Gippsland children shared ideas and concerns through the MFEG project, highlighting community connection, recreation, environment, and social care, with postcards now displayed across local towns.
• Victorian Agency for Health Information data shows ambulance services declining due to Labor's under‑resourcing, mismanagement and denial
  The latest data shows Victoria’s ambulance service declining, with fewer than 64% of Code 1 responses within 15 minutes, highlighting regional delays, under‑resourcing, and mismanagement under the Allan Labor government.
• Darren Chester presented to Five CHC Helicopter crew awarded National Emergency Medals for heroic Black Summer bushfire service
  Five CHC Helicopter personnel based at East Sale RAAF Base received National Emergency Medals for courageous, lifesaving service during the 2019–20 Black Summer bushfires across Gippsland communities.
• Danny O’Brien urges AusNet to improve reliability amid Gippsland’s frequent power outages and rising costs
  Danny O’Brien has criticised ongoing Gippsland power outages, urging AusNet to improve reliability as households, farms and businesses face disruptions, rising costs, and increased reliance on expensive diesel generators.
• Danny O'Brien warns faulty firefighting vehicles are leaving local CFA Brigades under pressure ahead of bushfire season
  Danny O'Brien has criticised the Allan Labor government for failing to repair faulty firefighting vehicles, warning the issue is placing pressure on CFA brigades and reducing Gippsland's preparedness for bushfire season.
• Tim Bull criticises Minister Dimopoulos for dismissing G-Wagon concerns, warning Gippsland’s fire preparedness is reduced
  Tim Bull criticises Environment Minister Dimopoulos for dismissing concerns about withdrawn G-Wagon firefighting vehicles, warning Gippsland faces reduced fire preparedness and urging clear answers before the upcoming fire season.