The Victorian government will spend more than $500 million on fire management as part of the state's upcoming budget.
The money will be spent on firefighting equipment, new digital radios, and upgrading fire towers, to help firefighters detect and contain fires faster.
It will also fund firefighters and other workers tasked with managing fire on crown land.
Some of the money is aimed at responding to the recommendations of two inquiries into the 2019/20 bushfires, which called for better co-ordination and leadership in bushfire services.
About $21 million will be spent to establish a joint office for land and bushfire managers to work together more closely.
The new Office of Bushfire Risk Management will work with the CFA, local government and landowners, road authorities, and the state's emergency management authorities.
Meanwhile another $16 million will be spent on managing long grass on crown land, including near roads and train lines.
Undergrowth management has long been a contentious issue in regional and remote Victoria, with some farmers complaining they are unable to manage the fire risk posed by long grass on crown land.
The state budget will be handed down on May 20.
Australian Associated Press
