The release of an independent investigation into October’s Lancefield-Cobaw bushfire has led to heated debate in State Parliament.
Labor and Liberal MPs went back and forth last week after the inquiry found the 266-hectare planned burn that ignited on September 30 had been “inadequately resourced” from the start.
The burn broke containment lines on October 3 and again on October 6. Close to 3000 hectares were eventually burnt. Four houses, 25 sheds and thousands of kilometres of fencing were destroyed.
Opposition leader Matthew Guy last week asked why Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning secretary Adam Fennessy was in Lancefield to apologise to residents on November 19, not Premier Daniel Andrews, despite many previous visits to the town.
Mr Andrews said the government had never shied away from the fact that things had gone wrong.
‘‘We are deeply sorry for the fact that errors were made,’’ he said.
‘‘There were 22 recommendations, and every single one of them will be implemented.’’
Responding to complaints about insurance processing, Mr Andrews said 58 claims had been lodged, with 15 payments ready to be made last week.
‘‘The rest will be dealt with as quickly as possible.’’
Gembrook MP Brad Battin took aim at Environment Minister Lisa Neville, who previously said the grand final Friday public holiday had no impact on staffing decisions.
The inquiry found 12 staff were rostered for the controlled burn on October 2, compared to 30 the day before.
Ms Neville said the report made clear that risk assessment was flawed from the start.
‘‘They under-estimated the risk, and that went to the question of resources,’’ she said.
‘‘It is not a question about grand final Friday at all.’’
In a statement, Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas said what happened with the planned burn was unacceptable.
‘‘Many residents and families are still dealing with the consequences,’’ she said, vowing to monitor the implementation of the report’s recommendations.
