“Like an afterthought in its own recovery.”

That’s how the Yarroweyah community feels following the release of the parliamentary inquiry into the 2026 summer bushfires, according to State Member for Ovens Valley Tim McCurdy.

The report makes minimal references to the communities of Yarroweyah, Yarroweyah South, Muckatah and Katamatite. This is despite these communities being impacted by a fast-moving grass fire on January 9, 2026.

The report acknowledged the “Yarroweyah-Murray Valley Hwy” fire as one of 25 fires that occurred during the 2026 summer fires.

The report also references the fire impacting Powercor’s network.

However, there are limited other references to the fire in the report.

"Yarroweyah was hit extremely hard in the bushfires, with roads, power infrastructure and fencing damaged and orchards and fodder crops wiped out, yet the community isn't referred to anywhere in an 80-recommendation report,” Mr McCurdy said.

“If the committee can examine 480 submissions and still leave Yarroweyah out of the final document, that’s a community feeling like an afterthought in its own recovery.”

This is despite the fire destroying 13 residential dwellings and 25 structures. It also burnt about 1530 hectares and resulted in significant agricultural losses.

Moira Shire Council acknowledged the release of the report. In a statement, It “recognised that the report has given considerable attention to the large, complex fires that occurred across the state”.

“Moira Shire’s focus is on the wellbeing and recovery of our residents and communities affected by the Yarroweyah/Muckatah fire,” council chair administrator Graeme Emonson said.

“We are supporting affected residents through case management, advocating for primary producers and impacted landholders, co-ordinating fencing restoration, building collective advocacy with neighbouring councils and regional partners, and co-ordinating social connection events and resilience activities,” he said.

Dr Emonson said with the immediate phase of recovery now well established, council had formalised the post-event recovery action plan to provide the structured, longer-term framework needed to guide recovery activity through to full community and economic restoration.

The plan was developed in collaboration with impacted community members, the Local Recovery Co-ordination Committee, state agencies and emergency services.

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Monday, 22nd September 2031

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