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Fire Prevention Funds In Action

A fire access track created in the Wonthaggi Wetlands has huge benefits for community safety.

By Bass Coast - 22nd June 2012 - Back to News

Bass Coast Deputy Mayor, Cr Duscher said the new fire access track in the Wonthaggi Wetlands has the potential to reduce the impact of a fire in this popular area of natural vegetation.

"The new fire access track aims to reduce the response time of local Country Fire Authority (CFA) brigades through better access into the wetlands.

"It also provides alternate ways for the public visiting the area to leave safely," Cr Duscher said.

The track was funded by a $11,179 grant through a Fire Access Road Subsidy Scheme (FARSS) project. The scheme provides funding to municipalities for fire management work including construction and maintenance of fire access roads and establishment of strategic static water supplies.

"Unfortunately, these extensive wetlands are an area of frequent, deliberately lit fires," explained Cr Duscher.

"They are close to both Wonthaggi’s central business district and areas of growing residential development where a fire has the potential to threaten property and community safety.

"These twin reasons made it a perfect location for a Fire Access Road Subsidy Scheme (FARSS) project."

Bass Coast Shire Council’s Community and Economic Development Director, Steven Piasente, said the funding provided by the scheme, managed by the CFA on behalf of the Department of Justice, helps Council stretch its fire management budget further and allows priority works to be completed.

"Council has worked closely with Bass Coast’s Municipal Fire Management Planning Committee throughout the development of the submission," said Mr Piasente.

"Their endorsement of the project had added weight to the application."

Planning for FARSS projects is an annual element of the work of the committee and Council’s Municipal Fire Prevention Officer.

"Two applications have been lodged in the 2012/13 round of FARSS funding," confirmed Mr Piasente.

"This year’s applications have been made to improve a fire access track and install a static water supply in The Gurdies."

Previous successful FARSS funding applications have been used to install static water tanks in Glen Alvie and Jam Jerrup where there is no mains water supply. A fire access track was installed in 2010 to the Wonthaggi Heathlands and works were completed in 2011 to improve a track in Silverleaves.

For further information, contact Council’s Emergency Management team on 1300 BCOAST (226 278).

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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