By Peter Douglas
PARKS Victoria offered on Thursday 15 December a sneak peak of its latest weapon in reducing bushfire risk this summer.
The team headed out to Ferny Creek to offer a demonstration of its new all-terrain, remote-control, grass-slashing machine which is used to reduce fuel loads along steep terrain.
The McConnel Robocut looks like a miniature bulldozer and is remotely controlled by an operator who uses a hand-held controller.
Parks Victoria is using the machine as part of the Melbourne Fire and Emergency Program (MFEP), aimed at reducing fuel loads in parks across Melbourne, to reduce the risk of bushfires and grassfires.
Work is underway on the seasonal program to reduce the risk of bushfires and grassfires in the Yarra Ranges.
This includes the Cardinia Reservoir Park, Dandenong Ranges National Park, Lysterfield Park, Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve and Kurth Kiln Regional Park.
Parks Victoria staff are delivering the annual fuel reduction program to maintain fuel breaks and fire-access tracks, slash grass and remove weeds on public land.
Parks Victoria senior manager Fire and Emergency Operations, Anthony Maxwell, said the program was essential to help protect communities living close to grasslands and forested parks.
“Fire can spread quickly, and our work to reduce fuel loads is an important part of managing the landscape in urban areas,” Mr Maxwell said.
“Reducing fuel will not by itself stop a major bushfire, but it is crucial to ensure the safest possible access for firefighters and to provide a vital fuel buffer to nearby homes.
“We urge community members living near forests or grasslands to also carry out fire preparedness works on their properties, such as keeping grass cut, clearing gutters, pruning shrubs and trees, and removing rubbish and weeds from around the home.”
Parks Victoria’s MFEP maintains 570km of fuel breaks and fire-access tracks, slashes grass and removes weeds on public land.
For a full list of MFEP work across Melbourne, visit www.parkweb.vic.gov.au.
