Latest News

• Add My News • Search Old News

Gippsland › Latest news › Bass Coast Local News

Fire Prevention Involves Many

Managing land to reduce the chance of a bushfire needs coordination between a number of different authorities, and also relies on public participation

By Bass Coast - 19th January 2012 - Back to News

Bass Coast Shire Council Acting Chief Executive Officer, Steven Piasente, said that there are several fire and land management authorities involved in managing our foreshore and bushland reserves, and each group has different responsibilities.

"Working together to protect our communities is vital over the summer season. So it is good to see that many people are also trying to do the right thing by preparing their properties. The community is becoming more aware of the type of fire risks we face in the Shire.

"Lots of different agencies are working together to protect our municipality from a threat of bushfire. Some of the areas that Council provides assistance in are; the reduction of fire hazards on private property, fire hydrant maintenance, regular maintenance works in parks and reserves and by supporting the CFA’s Fire Ready messages and Fire Ready Victoria meetings," said Mr Piasente.

Council is one of the agencies who have developed a Municipal Fire Management Plan (MFMP) for the Bass Coast Shire.

The Plan was completed in partnership with CFA, Department of Sustainability and Environment, (DSE), Phillip Island Nature Parks, (PINP), Vic Roads, Parks Victoria, South Gippsland Water, Westernport Water and Victoria Police. This group has been developing a new Fire Management plan that will improve how these agencies work together to effectively anticipate, respond to, and recover from, bushfire events.

To help the community understand the role that Council plays in tandem with these other authorities, a special page - Fire Prevention Q&A’s - has been set up on Council’s website.

"This page will help explain what Council’s role is in fire prevention and who else is involved; what the difference is between fire prevention and an amenity issue; and how individuals also play a role.

"It explains the difference between Council’s role in roadside ‘slashing’ and the ‘clearing’ of roadside vegetation," Mr Piasente said.
"The Fire Prevention Plan includes details of our roadside slashing program which is about reducing the amount of long grass along roadsides. Reducing roadside fuels means there is less chance of fires starting on roadsides because of hot vehicle parts.

"The plan does not specifically identify clearing live vegetation. Sometimes there are environmental reasons to preserve the vegetation along roadsides and we have a number of areas of significant roadside vegetation across the Shire.

"This is why several authorities work together to make decisions about land management and fire prevention," said Mr Piasente.

"There are cases where specific areas of roadside vegetation are identified as a significant fire risk. In this instance Council will conduct works to reduce this problem."

Examples of works undertaken in recent times are in Silverleaves and Lohr Avenue in Inverloch, where roadside vegetation was causing access issues for CFA tankers. The trees needed extensive trimming to improve access.

On Stanley Road at Adams Estate, the amount of vegetation on the roadside was identified as high risk, so extra slashing was organised and a roadside burn is being planned.

"The work these agencies are doing will reduce the chance of bushfires in the Shire; however there are also responsibilities for people to manage their land in residential and farming areas.

"Residents and visitors also have a responsibility to develop their own bushfire survival plans.

"Fire prevention is a complex area, so I urge anyone wanting to know more to get in contact Council or visit our website for more information" said Mr Piasente.

For more information about Fire Prevention in Bass Coast go to Council’s website at www. http://www.basscoast.vic.gov.au. and look for Fire Prevention Plans and Fire Prevention Q&A’s. Information on how to prepare a bushfire survival plan can be found at Council Customer Service Centres and at the CFA website cfa.vic.gov.au

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

• Labor under fire as Treasurer dodges questions on cuts to vital frontline emergency services jobs
  Labor faces backlash over emergency services job cuts, with Treasurer Jaclyn Symes denying losses despite reports of hundreds axed. Nationals accuse Labor of financial mismanagement, risking regional safety and environmental protection.
• Tim Bull slams government over firewood shortages, fuel loads and lack of practical solutions
  Gippsland East MP Tim Bull has slammed government policy for firewood shortages, warning rising bush fuel loads pose serious risks, calling for extended collection areas, longer seasons and practical fire management.
• Gippsland Water reappoints Sarah Cumming as Managing Director, extending leadership and community commitment until 2030
  Gippsland Water has reappointed Sarah Cumming as managing director until 2030, recognising her transformative leadership, strong community focus, and proven results, as the organisation enters a pivotal period of growth and change.
• Martin Cameron says new emergency services tax replaces fire levy, adding enormous pressure to struggling small businesses
  Latrobe Valley small businesses face soaring costs as Labor's new Emergency Services Tax replaces the Fire Services Levy, with Nationals warning it punishes regional communities and fuels insolvencies amid financial mismanagement.
• Tim Bull slams Labor's cuts to 'Youth Crime Prevention', unveils $100M Safer Communities Plan
  Gippsland East MP Tim Bull criticised Labor's youth crime prevention cuts, promoting The Nationals' $100 million Safer Communities Plan combining tougher laws with prevention programs to improve safety and restore community confidence.
• Free Gippsland workshop with Tony Evans on maximising dairy effluent through composting and sustainability
  Gippsland dairy farmers are invited to a free workshop with Tony Evans on effluent management, exploring composting, fermentation, and biogas to boost sustainability, save money, and reduce reliance on external nutrients.
• East Gippsland residents urged to foster dogs as Animal Aid Bairnsdale faces unprecedented influx and resource strain
  Animal Aid Bairnsdale urges East Gippsland residents to foster dogs as rising numbers strain shelter capacity. Support, resources, and costs are provided, ensuring dogs receive safety, love, and a chance at adoption.
• Wellington Shire Council offers free green waste disposal to help residents reduce fire hazards this season
  Wellington Shire Council is urging property owners, particularly in coastal communities, to prepare for the fire danger period by taking advantage of its Fire Ready No-Fee Green Waste Disposal program.
• Nationals' $100M Safer Communities Plan targets crime crisis with tough laws and prevention programs across Gippsland
  Martin Cameron backed a $100 million Safer Communities Plan, promising tougher laws and prevention programs to tackle Victoria's crime crisis, restore community safety, and support at-risk youth, contrasting Labor's cuts.
• South Gippsland Shire Council invites the community to join the Garage Sale Trail on November and other projects
  Australia's biggest second-hand treasure hunt returns this November across two weekends, offering households the chance to declutter and earn cash, while bargain hunters uncover unique finds and help divert goods from landfill.
• Victorian Health Department sets Gippsland priorities, access, workforce, safety, shared services, and mental health expansion
  The Victorian Department of Health has set four Gippsland health priorities: access, workforce, safety, and shared services, while highlighting mental health needs and significant workforce investment at Warragul's regional health leaders' forum.
• Community feedback wanted on East Gippsland Draft Engagement Policy to strengthen participation in local decision-making
  East Gippsland Shire Council is seeking community feedback on its draft Community Engagement Policy, inviting input through surveys, drop-in sessions, and stakeholder consultation to strengthen participation in decision-making processes.
• Danny O'Brien says reduced bonus helps some, but bungled energy policies and digital-only access hurt households
  The state's Power Saving Bonus has been cut from $250 to $100 and is now limited to concession card holders, leaving many Gippsland households without relief despite rising energy costs.
• Danny O'Brien warns Bayside Health merger threatens Gippsland communities, confirming hidden health service consolidation
  Danny O'Brien criticises Labor's Bayside Health merger, warning it will reduce local hospital autonomy, limit community input, and risk services for Gippsland residents, prioritising bureaucratic cost-saving over patient care.