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Victorians Contribute To How Fire Is Managed In Our Parks And Forests

From Horsham through to Heyfield, Mildura to Mt. Beauty, Victorian communities statewide have taken the opportunity to express their views on the Code of Practice for Fire Management on Public Land.

By Department of Sustainability and Environment - 8th June 2005 - Back to News

DSE Director of Emergency Management Gary Morgan said both the Discussion Paper and the initial information sessions for the review are now finished and thanked all Victorians for their contribution to the Fire Code.

"DSE values local community knowledge and thanks those who have contributed to both phases of the Code Review," Mr Morgan said.

Information sessions involving one-on-one interviews were conducted at diverse locations around the State including, Bendigo, Hamilton, Orbost, Traralgon, Bright, Mansfield, Macedon, Colac and Ferntree Gully.

The most common concerns and issues raised throughout the community consultation process were:

• Need for further research on the effects of prescribed burning on flora and fauna and further research on the influence of fuel reduction burning on fire behaviour;
• Stronger and more transparent auditing to demonstrate that the Code is followed;
• Working more closely with community and partner agencies;
• The amount of prescribed burning;
• The level of detail within the Code;
• Consideration of ecological issues during prescribed burning.

Mr Morgan said DSE welcomed the community’s input and the comments and concerns would be taken into consideration in drafting up the reviewed Code.

"Fire management on public land relies on continual improvement and the Code Review will enable DSE to stay ahead of the challenges in fire management and provide the new direction for the next decade," he said.

"While not all of the issues raised can be addressed through the review of the Code, DSE will deal with them through other avenues such as local fire plans, guidelines and staff training."

Mr Morgan said the draft of the reviewed Code was expected to be available later this month and the community would have further opportunities to contribute.

Details of how to obtain a copy of the Draft document will be advertised in major metropolitan and regional Victorian newspapers. For more information regarding the Fire Code of Practice, please visit the DSE website www.dse.vic.gov.au/fires (Click on A_Z Index then click on Code Practice) or phone DSE Customer Service Centre - 136 186.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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