OBRM is supported by an expert Advisory Panel that comprises executive representatives from Victorian government departments and agencies with fuel and land management responsibilities as well as 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, including 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*) | Rick Nugent APM |
| Chief Fire Officer, DEECA | Chris Hardman AFSM |
| Deputy Chief Fire Officer, CFA | Alen Slijepcevic AFSM |
| Lead Director, Emergency Coordination Resilience and Local Government Emergencies, Department of Government Services | Dan Harper |
| Chief Executive Officer, Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (Traditional Owners Corporation Caucus Representative) | Daniel Miller |
| Bushfire risk modelling and management expert | Professor Trent Penman |
| Fire ecology expert | Associate Professor Lauren Bennett |
| Land use planning expert | Margaret Baird |
| Secretary, DEECA (standing observer) | John Bradley |
| Director, OBRM (standing observer) | Courtney Bertram |
Revised appointments for FRV and DTP are 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