The toll on Victoria's smallest council, where 548 properties were impacted and more than 3000 hectares of plantation were destroyed by fire, has been revealed in a submission to the National Natural Disaster Arrangements Royal Commission.

Towong chief executive Juliana Phelps described staff and councilors as "remarkable" during the crisis, but called on the federal government to provide specialised support and counselling services in large-scale events and a more mature emergency management system to support councils, especially in small rural areas.

"The bushfires and council's emergency management roles and responsibilities also placed significant stresses and strains on this group as they focused on the immediate needs of local communities, while attempting to give adequate attention to their own and their family's requirements," she said.

"Council staff have experienced rude and abusive communication and complaints that have, at times, been personally directed at them.

"This can take a significant toll on the limited number of staff located in more remote areas."

RELATED:

The submission also recommended cross-border collaboration between states to help communities in both Victoria and NSW access information and services, plus allow Victoria's CFA and NSW's Rural Fire Service firefighters to communicate via radio.

"This does not appear to have always been the case during the recent Upper Murray bushfires," Ms Phelps said.

"It was only a matter of days after the bushfires belted the Upper Murray that council was totally overwhelmed by the scale and intensity of demands related to emergency response, relief and recovery."

Towong also asked all levels of government to collaborate and fund the development of the Upper Murray Events Centre in Corryong so it can serve as a relief centre, because another emergency event is likely in the future and the region does not have a location with suitably infrastructure to help those who need to evacuate.

Mayor David Wortmann said he was optimistic the Royal Commission would consider the 13 recommendations developed by the council, community members and supporting agencies.

"The recommendations made by council recognise that bushfires and other extreme weather events are increasing in frequency across our region, exacerbated by climate change. This ultimately means the window for proactive fire management is much tighter than it has previously been and the firefighting season is more prolonged" he said.

"This means it is more important than ever that we have proactive fuel management, resources, plans and support to effectively manage any future events."