Farmer News
1 November, 2026
Investment in planned burns and bushfire prevention
THE Victorian Forest Products Association (VFPA) has welcomed the Victorian Liberals and Nationals’ commitment to doubling prescribed burning and better resourcing bushfire prevention measures across Victoria.
Earlier this year, the VFPA made a submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry into the 2026 Summer Fires, calling for increased funding for planned burning, strategic fuel breaks and proactive bushfire prevention.
Importantly, the submission highlighted that planned burning must be strategically targeted towards areas of greatest bushfire risk, ensuring resources are directed where they can deliver the greatest protection for communities, infrastructure and productive forests.
VFPA also called for Victoria’s plantation timber estate to be recognised as a critical community asset in bushfire risk assessments, reflecting its importance to regional jobs, local communities and Victoria’s future timber supply for housing.
VFPA chief executive officer Andrew White said the commitment was a welcome step towards strengthening Victoria’s bushfire preparedness.
“Following the devastating plantation timber losses experienced earlier this year, greater investment in bushfire prevention has never been more important,” Mr White said.
“The best bushfire response starts well before a fire breaks out. Investing in prevention, fuel management and early detection is critical to protecting communities and reducing the devastating economic and environmental impacts of major fires.”
VFPA is the peak industry body representing the wood fibre industry in Victoria, from those producing our sustainable wood fibre to those processing wood fibre into an extensive range of value-added products loved and used by Victorians every day.