The video reinforces council’s call for a more equitable, impact-based disaster recovery funding model, and supports its submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry into the 2026 summer fires.
Murrindindi was the hardest-hit municipality from the Longwood bushfire, with almost one third of the shire burnt.
More than 200 homes and 520 outbuildings were destroyed across 22 localities, and around 420km of council roads and dozens of bridges were damaged.
Emergency Management Victoria data shows Murrindindi suffered close to half of the state’s structural losses in the January 2026 fires.
Council is calling for a reformed funding model as it received about eight per cent of the total state government’s Council Support Fund, despite the level of impact the fire had on the shire.
Murrindindi Shire Council Mayor Damien Gallagher said it was clear the current funding model did not work and this video highlighted the disconnect between impact and resourcing on the ground.
“Frontline in the disaster, back of the queue in recovery – that has been the experience for Murrindindi,” Cr Gallagher said.
“The video shows why communities like ours are calling for a more proportionate and practical approach to recovery support.”
Cr Gallagher said the approach of uniform funding allocations across councils had real consequences for recovery processes in rural communities.
“Equal funding did not result in equal outcomes. Where impacts are widespread and communities are dispersed, recovery takes longer and needs more sustained support,” he said.
“We are inviting government, industry and philanthropy to partner with us, not just to recover, but to build a stronger, more resilient future, because recovery doesn’t happen alone, it happens together.”
Council’s advocacy priorities identify more than $100 million in recovery and rebuilding needs, including support for residents, primary producers, local businesses, tourism and damaged community infrastructure.
The video provides a clear account of the ongoing impacts on residents, primary producers, local businesses and the visitor economy.
It also captures the scale of agricultural and economic loss, including 7796 livestock lost, 4861km of fencing destroyed, damage to orchards and crops, and a $3.47 million drop in spending in just 24 days.
Cr Gallagher said the focus of the inquiry should now be on delivering practical, evidence-based reform.
“This is an opportunity to make sure recovery systems better reflect what communities actually experience,” he said.
“The video makes clear that communities bearing the greatest impact cannot be left to recover with inadequate support, and that funding reform is urgently needed.
The video can be found by visiting youtu.be/9V9wiKI0haU?si=dS_DBmEujPxncDin
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