OBRM is supported by an expert Advisory Panel that comprises executive representatives from Victorian government departments and agencies with fuel and land management responsibilities. The panel includes four independent knowledge experts with technical expertise in bushfire risk modelling and management, fire ecology, community behaviour change and land use planning.
The panel provides advice to the DEECA Secretary on agreed priority focus areas to assist us in leading and coordinating the implementation of evidence-based bushfire risk management across all public and private land in Victoria. As well as fuel management, alongside a wider suite of measures to reduce bushfire risk to communities and the things they care about most.
The panel is appointed by the Minister for Environment, with OBRM providing secretariat support. The panel meets quarterly or as required.
Panel Members
| Role | Member |
|---|---|
| Chairperson | Gary Morgan AM AFSM |
| Deputy Chairperson / Social research / community behaviour change expert | Dr Katharine Haynes |
| Emergency Management Commissioner, Emergency Management Victoria (ex-officio member*) | Tim Wiebusch |
| Chief Fire Officer, DEECA | Chris Hardman AFSM |
| Deputy Chief Fire Officer, CFA | Alen Slijepcevic AFSM |
| Deputy Commissioner, FRV | Eddie Lacko |
| Lead Director, Emergency Coordination Resilience and Local Government Emergencies, Department of Government Services | Dan Harper |
| Executive Director, Resilience and Emergency Coordination, Department of Transport and Planning | Rebecca Trott |
| Bushfire risk modelling and management expert | Professor Trent Penman |
| Fire ecology expert | Associate Professor Lauren Bennett |
| Large-scale Victorian plantation corporation representative | Rob Hescock |
| Land use planning expert | Margaret Baird |
| Secretary, DEECA (standing observer) | Kate Houghton |
| Director, OBRM (standing observer) | Courtney Bertram |
Following nominations from Traditional Owners, Traditional Owner appointments are currently underway. This page will be updated once those appointments are confirmed.
*The Emergency Management Commissioner is a standing member of the Advisory Panel, representing Emergency Management Victoria and ensuring links to Victoria’s integrated emergency management arrangements and associated preparedness and assurance activities.
Updated