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Gippsland's Fire Operations Plans for public viewing

Drafts of Fire Operations Plans for public land in Gippsland are now available for viewing and public comment until Friday September 12 2003.

By Department of Primary Industries - 21st August 2003 - Back to News

These plans are in accordance with the Gippsland Region Fire Protection Plan and contain:

• a schedule and maps of proposed ecological and fuel reduction burning
• any new preparedness works such as new roads, firetowers and helipads.

Following consultation with communities after this year's fires, the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) is trying to be more proactive in ensuring that the community has the opportunity for comment on proposed fuel reduction and ecological burns across the region.

Department staff have already had meetings with CFA members and local community groups and have received valuable feedback on the plans for the coming season.

Regional DSE Fire Manager, David Tainsh said that he wants to operate effectively with the community, particularly on the interface of public and private land.

"We want to create some links for our communities so they have a contact on their issues. We want to empower the community to let us know what those issues are," he said.

Mr Tainsh emphasised that it was the Department’s wish that the final approved plan carried the support of the community and the Country Fire Authority.

"I hope that all members of the community will accept the agreed priorities and work in partnership to achieve the program," he said.

"It would be both counter-productive and distracting, as well as illegal if individuals of the community decided to work outside this program."

Mr Tainsh said that if the Department became aware of any unplanned burning on public land, it would bring it under control and investigate the cause.

"It is important we all work towards the agreed priorities and not be distracted by unplanned burning," he said.

Cont….

The draft Fire Operations Plans are available for viewing at the following DSE District Offices: Bairnsdale, Bendoc, Cann River, Erica, Heyfield, Noojee, Nowa Nowa, Orbost, Swifts Creek, Yarram and the Regional Office at Traralgon. Copies of maps are also being displayed in some more remote communities.

For further information contact John McDonald, Regional Fire Planning Officer,

51 520 414 or written submissions to DSE, 7 Service Street Bairnsdale 3875.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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