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It’s Time To Have Your Say On Victoria’S Fire Management

The Discussion Paper for the future direction of managing fire on Victoria’s public land has been released and now is the time for the community to review it and comment.

By Department of Sustainability and Environment - 18th February 2005 - Back to News

The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) is updating its Code of Practice for Fire Management on Public Land, and is calling on all Victorians to have their say on the direction of the Code for the next 10 years.

The Discussion Paper is the next phase of the review process and the community has one month to provide comment.

DSE Regional Fire Manager David Tainsh said the purpose of the Discussion Paper was to encourage public participation and to stimulate community discussion about fire management on public land.

"Now is the time for the community to become involved," he said. "The feedback DSE receives now will be used to shape the Code for the next decade."

The Code sets the minimum standards for the preparation of Fire Protection Plans, Fire Operations Plans and Burn Plans. Compliance with the Code is a requirement for all fire-related activities on public land.

"The past couple of years have shown that the community has some strong views regarding wildfires and what is done to prevent them and control them. Now is the time for the community to actively participate in the process," Mr Tainsh said.

Mr Tainsh said fire management on public land relied on continual improvement and the review would enable DSE to stay ahead of these new challenges in managing public land.

"It has been 10 years since the Code was written and in that time there had been many changes affecting the way DSE operated, such as shifting demographics and climate changes," he said.

"The population in the public-private land interface has increased dramatically in the past decade and this has changed the focus of forest firefighting and hazard protection. The value of the community and economic assets, including water catchments, close to the public land boundary has also risen sharply.

Details of how to obtain a copy of the Discussion Paper will be advertised in major metropolitan and regional Victorian newspapers.

The Discussion Paper will be released to the general public on February 18 2005, with submissions due by Friday 18 March 2005.

The Discussion Paper will be available via the DSE website www.dse.vic.gov.au/fires , or phone DSE Customer Service Centre on 136 186 or email firecode.review@dse.vic.gov.au .

For copies of the existing ‘Code’, please visit the DSE website www.dse.vic.gov.au/fires (click on A_Z Index then click on Code of Practice) or phone DSE Customer Service Centre -136 186.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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