VICTORIANS can watch parliamentary inquiry into the 2026 summer fires across Victoria via livestream or attend public hearings this week.

The Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee will broadcast live from Harcourt on Thursday 30 April from 9am and Melbourne on Friday 1 May from 9am.

Mount Alexander Shire Council, Harcourt Progress Association, Victorian Farmers Federation, Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation and Wildlife Victoria are scheduled to appear throughout the day.

At the conclusion of the Harcourt hearing an open mic session is being held with registered residents of the community to speak directly to members of the Committee.

The public can attend the proceedings at Harcourt Leisure Centre on Binghams Road.

On Friday in Melbourne, the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, as well as fire agencies Emergency Management Victoria, Forest Fire Management Victoria, Country Fire Authority and Fire Rescue Victoria are due to give evidence.

Several other organisations will be represented including Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria, the United Firefighters Union (Vic Branch) and the Bureau of Meteorology.

This week’s full hearing schedules are published on the committee’s website.

The inquiry has received more than 270 public submissions which alongside the transcripts of previous public hearings and open mics sessions are gradually being made available online.

Source: Parliament of Victoria.