By Tanya Martin
A HILLS community bushfire group has called on the State Government to cut red tape and take action following the release of the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission’s final report on Saturday.
This comes as Premier John Brumby met with his cabinet on Sunday for a special meeting to discuss the Government’s response to the commission’s 67 recommendations.
These include the State Government buying homes that are put up for sale in order to depopulate fire prone areas such as the Dandenong Ranges, a massive increase in fuel reduction burns, improved fire warning systems, further revision of the ‘stay or go policy’, powerlines to be bundled or buried, further fire refuge planning, and restrictions on future building.
Mr Brumby said he would undertake further community consultation before any action was taken .
The Dandenong Ranges Community Bushfire Group (DRCBG) has said there has been more than enough talk and action should be taken immediately.
DRCBG secretary Mel Gajdek said the Royal Commission had already consulted more than 434 witnesses and received more than 2000 submissions over the past 18 months.
Ms Gajdek said the group feared the importance of the findings would be weakened by further consultation.
“We did not have a Royal Commission considering eyewitness and expert accounts over 18 months so two weeks of further community consultation could dilute the final recommendations,” she said.
“Many people are angry about this, but we have invited Mr Brumby to come and consult with the DRCBG.”
“Surely this is enough community consultation,” she said.
“It’s now time for action. Cut the red tape and make these safety measures happen.”
Yarra Ranges Shire councillor Samantha Dunn said the buyback plan would not work.
“It would be very hard to predict if it would have any impact at all… most people who live here want to live here,” she said.
But Cr Dunn said it was a good plan to give residents options if they want to get off the mountain.
“But I would be very surprised if may take it up because most love it for what it is,” she said.
• More reports, pages 6 and 7
