Community consultations for fire-affected communities were held between 18 March 2009 and 8 April 2009.

Consultations gave individuals from fire-affected communities an opportunity to discuss their views about key issues in relation to the inquiry being conducted by the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission.

The consultation sessions were open to those Victorians who lived or worked in the communities directly affected by the bushfires.

Details of consultation sessions

Session	Date	Time	Consultation Notes
Myrtleford Myrtleford Savoy Club 252- 254 Great Alpine Rd	Wednesday 18 March 2009	1.00pm - 2.30pm	Download notes
Flowerdale Flowerdale Hotel 3325 Whittlesea Yea Rd	Friday 20 March 2009	11.30am-1.00pm or 2.30pm – 4.00pm	Download notes
Kinglake Kinglake National Park Hotel 28 Main Rd, Kinglake	Monday 23 March 2009	11.30am-1.00pm or 2.30pm – 4.00pm	Download notes
Kinglake West Kinglake West Mechanics Institute 1055 Kinglake Whittlesea Rd	Tuesday 24 March 2009	11.30am-1.00pm or 2.30pm – 4.00pm	Download notes
Bendigo Eaglehawk Senior Citizens Centre 6 Darling St, Eaglehawk	Wednesday 25 March 2009	11.30am-1.00pm or 2.30pm – 4.00pm	Download notes
Wandong Magpie & Stump Hotel Epping-Kilmore Rd	Friday 27 March 2009	11.30am – 1.00pm or 2.30pm – 4.00pm	Download notes
St Andrews St Andrews Reserve Hall Proctor St	Sunday 29 March 2009	11.30am-1.00pm or 2.30pm – 4.00pm	Download notes
Yarra Glen Yarra Glen Racecourse Armstrong Grove	Monday 30 March 2009	11.30am-1.00pm or 2.30pm – 4.00pm	Download notes
Traralgon (Calignee) Traralgon Tennis Club Cnr Franklin & Davidson Sts	Wednesday 1 April 2009	11.30am-1.00pm or 2.30pm – 4.00pm	Download notes
Boolarra Boolarra Memorial Hall Tarwin St	Thursday 2 April 2009	9.30am – 11.00am	Download notes
Labertouche Labertouche Public Hall Corner Forest and Labertouche Rds	Thursday 2 April 2009	2.30pm – 4.00pm	Download notes
Marysville Marysville Golf & Bowls Club 956 Marysville-Buxton Rd	Monday 6 April 2009	11.30am-1.00pm or 2.30pm – 4.00pm	Download notes
	Tuesday 7 April 2009	11.30am-1.00pm or 2.30pm – 4.00pm
Horsham Haven Hall, Henty Highway, Haven	Tuesday 7 April 2009	1.00-2.30pm	Download notes
Strathewen (Arthurs Creek) Arthurs Creek Hall 906 Arthurs Creek Road	Wednesday 8 April 2009	11.30am-1.00pm or 2.30pm – 4.00pm	Download notes

Frequently asked questions
Community consultation sessions

What is the purpose of the community consultation sessions?

The purpose of the community consultation sessions was to hear from affected individuals about their experience of the bushfires and identify key issues for further research and investigation by the Royal Commission.

The sessions were not formal hearings and information from them will not be used as evidence. Formal hearings, which are open to the public, commenced in May 2009.

Where are you holding the community consultations?

Twenty-six community consultation sessions were  held in 14 locations.

What was the format of the community consultations?

The consultation sessions ran for approximately an hour and a half and were led by independent facilitators on behalf of the Royal Commission. The information gathered during the community consultations will assist the Royal Commission to clarify the issues and questions it needs to answer as part of its Terms of Reference.

Who could attend?

The consultations were an opportunity for people who live and work in fire-affected communities to discuss issues relating to the Royal Commission’s Terms of Reference in an informal setting.

In order to provide a sensitive environment for these discussions, the community consultation sessions were not open to media.

A summary of the themes and issues arising from the discussions have been published. Future hearings and submissions received will also be made public via the Royal Commission’s web site.

What other opportunities are there to provide input to the Royal Commission?

The Commission is calling for written submissions from any interested individuals or organisations.  Submissions received by 4.00pm on 18 May 2009 will be considered as part of the Commission's Interim Report.  Submissions provided after that date will be considered as part of the Commission's further work and Final Report.