Dilemmas of Engagement: Seriously empowering our community

Abstract

In my contribution to this volume I will analyse Victoria's approach to engaging with the communities affected by the 2009 'Black Saturday' bushfires. In the aftermath of the bushfires, the approach was taken to put communities at the centre of planning and decision-making, and to work extensively with them to develop recovery plans and to include their input into local government plans for the future. Following the devastating bushfires in Victoria in February 2009, an unprecedented recovery effort was required and included the establishment of the Victoria Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority (VBRRA). The fires affected over 70 communities in diverse areas of Victoria and saw: • over 2000 homes lost • approximately 2000 homes seriously damaged • a broad range of community infrastructure damaged or lost, including several schools and halls • significant losses to business • the loss of over 8000 livestock and an estimated 12,500 km of fencing • the loss of an estimated 1,000,000 native animals • most tragically, the loss of 173 lives.