Tree slash plan slammed

By Tania Martin
HILLS environmentalists have hit out at the State Government for rushing planning changes through Parliament that could ruin the bush.
Changes to the Upper Yarra and Dandenongs Ranges Regional Strategy Plan were tabled and passed through Parliament last Thursday.
Sassafras resident and Living With the Bush spokesman Louis Delacretaz said it normally takes at least seven days for an amendment to pass once it has been tabled.
“It’s normally deferred until the next week for consultation,” he said.
“Most amendments have a public process but this time there has not been a proper process, no panel, no community input – it was just bulldozed through.”
Mr Delacretaz said the amendment was needed before the government’s ‘10/30 Right’ plan to slash trees and vegetation could get the green light.
The plan announced last Monday (31 August) will give landowners the right to clear vegetation including trees within 10 metres of their homes and any ground fuel within 30 metres from their properties without a permit.
The Upper Yarra and Dandenong Ranges Regional Strategy Plan was put in place almost 30 years ago as a vegetation protection overlay for the Yarra Valley and the Dandenongs.
The change to the plan has divided the hills with the Dandenong Ranges Community Bushfire Group (DRCBG) welcoming the move.
Group spokeswoman Jo Hirst said once the plan had been reviewed with consideration given to local issues, it would improve safety levels and help save lives and properties in areas such as the Dandenongs.
“10/30 will enable our community to make their properties safer and in turn help maintain our iconic mountain ash forest,” she said.
But Mr Delacretaz believes Mr Brumby wanted to be seen to be doing something about bushfire safety.
He said the State Government had instead ignored the positive role vegetation plays in protecting a property and its residents from bushfires.
“CSIRO evidence to the Royal Commission says that vegetation can reduce wind speed, lessening the intensity of a bushfire,” Mr Delacretaz said.
“Vegetation can also trap embers protecting houses from attack, which is the primary cause of houses burning down in bushfires.”
Mr Delacretaz said ignoring these factors to rely on land-clearing for fire protection would cause a false sense of security and could prove fatal.
“On Black Saturday, the fire raced across paddocks without any vegetation to burn houses,” he said.
“Many house blocks in the Dandenong Ranges are less than 10 metres apart, so you can imagine what is going to remain of the Dandenongs if this is allowed to happen.”
Shire of Yarra Ranges mayor Len Cox said this plan could lead to landslips and the destruction of the environment, lifestyle and scenic values of the region.
He believes a one-size fits-all approach could spell the end of many of the state’s most iconic and natural habitat areas.
The council fears this move could also lead to increased neighbourhood conflicts.
“If property owners undertake vegetation removal according to the government’s 10/30 changes, the region could be transformed from one of the most picturesque in the country to a scarred landscape subject to landslip and erosion, Cr Cox said.
“We know that on the topic of tree clearance, we have a passionate yet divided community and we also understand the importance of doing everything we can to protect our community from fire risk.”
Mr Delacretaz has formed the Living With the Bush Coalition to bring together many residents, environmental and community groups in Victoria concerned about the impact of the Government’s decision on Victoria’s bushland.