Fire fuel fears

By Casey Neill
A BELGRAVE resident fears that a “neglected” Birdsland Reserve may harbour another bushfire this summer.
But authorities say maintenance of the reserve is on track and have played down the risk.
A blaze took hold in the reserve last February after starting nearby in Nixon’s Road, two weeks after Black Saturday.
It also burnt during the 1983 Ash Wednesday fire.
Belgrave’s Shakti McLaren said grass within a gated area of the reserve had reached shoulder height.
“It is frightening. It’s totally overgrown,” she said. “All we need is two hot days and a spark.”
Ms McLaren said the area had been closed to the public since the fire last year.
“There is no danger there except the very long and drying grass,” she said.
“I think it’s been locked up to hide that they’re not doing anything.
“No fire preparation has been done in this area at all.”
Ms McLaren lives just minutes from the reserve.
“I have been preparing my property for months as requested by the authorities but it seems Melbourne Water is exempt from this request,” she said.
“If there is a fire that starts in Birdsland this year, a class action against the authorities responsible for this land could be a reality.
“We’re all told every day to get our fire plan ready, to clean our house, to clean our gutters.
“I see this and I think, ‘why bother?’ I don’t stand a chance when the authorities don’t do their bit.”
Melbourne Water and Yarra Ranges Council jointly manage the reserve. Melbourne Water is responsible for the area in question.
Lyster Ward councillor Samantha Dunn said public safety was paramount and the council was working to minimise fire risk at the reserve.
“However, as the reserve is a bushland reserve, there will be areas that have longer native grasses in order to maintain it as a nature reserve,” she said.
“I’m sure residents will agree that the reserve is a wonderful asset to the local community so the council is working hard to preserve this as well as public safety.”
Cr Dunn said the shire had told Melbourne Water the reserve needed attention.
“I hope Melbourne Water will do some slashing soon,” she said.
Melbourne Water spokesman Nicolas McGay last week told the Mail grass slashing from the edge of the path into fire-affected areas would be competed by the end of this week. He said skilled contractors would remove weeds without disturbing native vegetation that was regenerating.
“We understand community concerns around these issues and we can assure local residents that our maintenance and recovery schedule has been carefully planned,” he said.
“We hope to see the site re-opened to the public in the coming months.”
Mr McGay said Melbourne Water closed off the affected area because of the risk of falling trees.
“We then removed trees identified as dead and dangerous,” he said.
“Since that time, we’ve monitored the site for regeneration of native vegetation.”
Mr McGay said weeds had infested the area.
“The mixed vegetation needs to grow to a certain height to differentiate native vegetation from aggressive weeds,” he said.
He said the young regrowth was green and moist, and unlikely to pose a fire risk.