ABSTRACT

Disaster events impact localised communities. The state, via its agencies, seeks to shape and mould the way in which different interest groups are integrated into the structures of government or operate in relation to state initiatives and practices. Via wildfire agencies, and in relation to the residents of wildfire-prone areas, the state has sought to address the threat of wildfire as well as consequences of wildfire events. The chapter comprises four main sections, one for each Australian State covered by the research: New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia. The information on each State offers a snapshot of each locality at the time that the research was conducted, outlining major themes raised by participants in relation to inter-agency cooperation, communication and the relationships between agencies and the localities they serve. The state actively seeks to shape policy and develop accountable decision-making processes to ensure the engagement of citizens within communities in and of localities.