Is your business ready for the next bushfire season?

With another bushfire season on the horizon, business owners are being encouraged to think beyond immediate fire threats and consider how a major bushfire event could affect their operations.

While the impact of bushfires is often measured by damage to homes, farmland and communities, local businesses can face significant disruption even when they are not directly in the path of a fire.

Road closures, power outages, poor air quality and interruptions to supply chains can quickly affect a business's ability to operate, particularly in regional areas where industries are closely connected.

For Shepparton-based Elders Insurance representative Richard Barry, preparation is one of the most important steps business owners can take before temperatures rise.

"Businesses across our region are used to dealing with challenges, but having a plan in place before the season starts can make a real difference when conditions become more severe," Mr Barry said.

The Goulburn Valley's economy spans agriculture, transport, manufacturing, retail and small business, sectors that can all be affected by widespread bushfire activity, even if there is no direct physical damage to premises.

Mr Barry said many businesses underestimate the broader impacts a bushfire can have.

"A fire elsewhere in the region can still affect your staff, your customers and your supply chains," he said. "Understanding those risks ahead of time can help businesses respond more effectively if conditions change."

Having worked with customers through major Victorian bushfires, Elders Insurance Agent Will Phillips has witnessed both the challenges communities face and the resilience that often follows.

"The initial conversations with clients were very emotional," Mr Phillips said.

"What stood out to me most was the resilience of our clients. They faced enormous challenges, but they continued getting on with the job."

Drawing on those experiences, Mr Phillips said preparation is often about focusing on practical measures before an emergency occurs.

That can include maintaining properties by clearing gutters and managing vegetation around buildings, ensuring machinery and equipment are well maintained, and checking that access routes remain clear.

Businesses are also encouraged to consider how they would continue operating if access to their premises was restricted for days or even weeks. Alternative work arrangements, backup suppliers and secure storage of important records can help minimise disruption during and after an emergency.

Mr Barry said having a documented response plan can also help reduce confusion when quick decisions are required.

"Preparation isn't about expecting the worst," he said. "It's about understanding your risks and putting practical steps in place so your business can respond more effectively if something does happen."

Insurance is another area business owners are encouraged to review ahead of the season. As businesses grow and change over time, insurance arrangements may also need updating to reflect current circumstances.

Mr Phillips said major bushfire events often highlight the importance of ensuring coverage remains appropriate.

"It also highlighted the importance of reviewing insurance arrangements. Unfortunately, many people were underinsured," he said.

Several years on from some of Victoria's most significant bushfire events, Mr Phillips said the recovery process remains a powerful reminder of why preparation matters.

"You'll see that the paddocks have started to show a bit of green again, just four months ago this was just blackened earth," he said.

For local businesses, that recovery can take time, making planning and preparedness an important part of navigating the season ahead.

As summer approaches, Mr Barry believes taking a proactive approach now can provide greater confidence for business owners and their employees.

"Taking time now to review your plans, understand your risks and ensure your insurance arrangements are up to date can provide greater confidence going into bushfire season," he said.

While bushfires remain unpredictable, preparation is one factor businesses can control, and for many across the region, the time to start is before the first warning arrives.

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