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Fire Prevention Involves ManyManaging 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
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