Cleeland: Government failed to reduce fuel loads ahead of fire season

13^th November 2025

Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland has warned that the Allan Labor Government’s failure to meet its fuel reduction targets has left regional communities dangerously exposed ahead of another potentially catastrophic fire season.

“Fire season is here again, and right across country Victoria people are anxious,” Ms Cleeland said.

“Less than a quarter of the fuel reduction burning recommended by the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission has been carried out in recent years. Fuel loads have been allowed to explode, and the government is ignoring the expert advice that was meant to protect us.”

The warning comes as the Country Fire Authority sounds the alarm over what could become Victoria’s most volatile and dangerous bushfire season in more than a decade.

CFA Chief Executive Jason Heffernan told Sky News the state is facing an “elevated” and “very real” fire threat, with months of low rainfall and dry fuel creating conditions that may rival those before the Black Saturday bushfires.

In Parliament, Ms Cleeland questioned the Minister for Environment on what urgent steps were being taken to reduce fire risk across the Euroa electorate before it is too late.

“Residents in Ruffy, Strathbogie and Boho and surrounds are frustrated as they see favourable weather windows come and go, yet burns are repeatedly postponed or abandoned all together.”

Ms Cleeland said the government’s neglect extends beyond planned burns.

“We have parts of the Department’s firefighting fleet grounded and thousands fewer CFA volunteers than a decade ago,” Ms Cleeland said.
“These are the people who stand between us and disaster – they deserve to be supported, not left short-handed.”

“These warnings from the CFA and government agencies confirm what our communities in Euroa have been sensing – the fire risk is already elevated and the time for action is overdue,” Ms Cleeland said.

“It is not enough to say we’re preparing. The clear warnings and record fuel loads demand that the government deliver on the burning program and give our region the protection it was promised.”

“Locals remember 2009. They know what happens when governments ignore expert advice. Failing to meet the Royal Commission’s recommendations is failing the very communities those recommendations were designed to protect.”

Ms Cleeland is calling for immediate action to meet fuel reduction responsibilities and ensure regional communities are properly safeguarded this fire season.