$21 million burn plan

By Tania Martin
DANDENONG Ranges National Park has shared in a $21 million State Government cash boost for extra fuel reduction burns in a bid to reduce the risks of another Black Saturday.
Environment Minister Gavin Jennings last week said the cash would be used to hire an additional 15 fire management staff for the upcoming season.
This would include firefighters, communication officers and planners to help conduct additional planned burns to reduce the risks of another Black Saturday.
Mr Jennings said an extra 19,000 hectares would be burnt in the lead up to the fire season.
“We are taking action to protect Victorian families and secure communities located on the fringes of bushland against the devastation of bushfires,” he said.
“Our goal is to reduce the fire risk across the state where it is most needed, not to simply tally up a number of hectares.”
Mr Jennings said increasing the prescribed burns would help protect life, property and community assets.
He said the cash would also be used to purchase more firefighting equipment and to help the ongoing community education and engagement programs that helped authorities monitor the way fires were fought.
Monbulk MP James Merlino said fuel reduction was vital to protect the Dandenongs.
He said a 19-hectare burn earmarked for Olinda would provide reassurance to local communities that action was being taken now to reduce the risks.
“DSE and Parks Victoria will conduct extensive community consultations and strategic planning in the coming months – assessing each area to implement the required burning strategy,” Mr Merlino said.
Parks Victoria’s director of fire and emergency services David Nugent said 18 burns had taken place in the past three years to protect the national park and an additional 10 were planned for the next 12 months.
He said the money would be used to support these burns by providing public awareness.
Mr Nugent said it would also allow for an increased focus on maintaining fuel breaks in bushland areas, more grass slashing in open areas and additional burns to reduce fuel in high fire risk areas.
“This will include a significant contribution to engaging with surrounding communities to ensure they understand the protection works that are being undertaken on public open space,” he said.
“It will ensure that the management of the fire risk is shared between public land managers and the broader community.”
Mr Nugent said Parks Victoria would work with the community and other agencies such as the DSE, CFA, MFB and local councils to review existing fire protection plans and allocate priorities based on strategic planning.
The region’s fire operations plan will also be available next month for comment.