Latest News
• Add My News • Search Old News
Maintain Firebreaks To Protect Assets: HallMany of the firebreaks formed to protect communities and private assets during the recent bushfire season should be maintained, according to The Nationals’ MP, Peter Hall. By The Nationals - 2nd March 2007 - Back to News Mr Hall has called on the State Government to stop rehabilitation works on firebreaks, until an assessment of what is required is undertaken.
Mr Hall said permanent firebreaks, similar to that being established in the Thomson reservoir catchment, were a sensible precaution.
He added that many of his constituents who had suffered through the bushfires regarded the rush to rehabilitate firebreaks as an "act of insanity."
Speaking in Parliament this week, the Eastern Region MP said: "During times of major bushfires a great deal of resource is put into establishing firebreaks to assist in containing fires.
"This exercise typically involves clearing an area of land, sometimes up to 70 metres in width, of flammable materials. While that in itself does not necessarily stop a fire because bushfires spot ahead of the fire front, it provides an excellent reference point for the conduct of back-burning, which is one of the main tools employed by firefighters to fight wildfires."
Mr Hall said he welcomed plans to maintain a permanent firebreak to protect the Thomson catchment area.
"But there is a need to protect a lot of country communities and privately owned assets in country Victoria. There is sense in maintaining some permanent firebreaks strategically placed around those communities and around those privately owned assets in country Victoria," he said.
"I have been informed by constituents that in those areas affected by the recent bushfires the Department of Sustainability and Environment is now very busy rehabilitating firebreaks that only a couple of weeks ago it was going helter-skelter to create.
"Many of my constituents think this is an act of insanity.
"After the effort that they have put in to create those firebreaks it should now be considered vital to maintain them so that they become permanent features to protect those communities from fire."
Mr Hall called on the Minister to immediately cease the rehabilitation of firebreaks until local fire plans were reassessed and the desirability of maintaining permanent firebreaks was determined.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
Related Articles- East Gippsland Shire Council urges protect health and air quality, burn dry wood and maintain heaters to reduce smoke this winter
Residents are urged to burn only dry, untreated wood, maintain heaters, and consider alternatives to reduce smoke, protecting health and improving air quality this winter. - Farm fencing grants protect 300 hectares of biodiversity and boost waterway health across West Gippsland
Over 300 hectares of farmland will be fenced through West Gippsland CMA's farm fencing grants, protecting waterways, biodiversity, and livestock while supporting sustainable farming and revegetation across the catchment. - Blue Rock Lake foreshore track to be protected with erosion control and revegetation works
Erosion control works at Blue Rock Lake will protect 130 metres of foreshore track, ensure continued access, and support lake health, with community planting to restore native vegetation and fish habitat. - McIntosh Drive and Lake Guthridge footpath closed to protect Grey-headed Flying Foxes during extreme heat events
Wellington Shire Council will close McIntosh Drive and Lake Guthridge footpath to protect Grey-headed Flying Foxes during extreme heat, reducing stress, ensuring safety, and allowing wildlife carers to assist vulnerable bats. - Darren Chester urges more fuel reduction to protect Victorian communities from bushfires
Darren Chester urged increased fuel reduction on Victorian public land, warning unmanaged forests worsen bushfires, and criticised the native timber industry shutdown while praising volunteers and community resilience. - Demolition begins at Warragul Exhibition Hall, traffic changes implemented and materials salvaged for recycling and community reuse
Demolition of Warragul Exhibition Hall will begin this week, with traffic changes, asbestos removal, and material salvage for recycling, while the site will be remediated for future council consideration. - West Gippsland Landcare awarded $337,250 to transform landscapes, protect species, and enhance community green spaces statewide
West Gippsland Landcare volunteers received $337,250 from 2025 Victorian Landcare Grants to restore landscapes, protect endangered species, enhance waterways, plant 30,000 trees, and engage communities in conservation projects. - Martin Cameron urges Labor government to enforce tobacco licensing, protect Latrobe Valley businesses from organised crime threats
Martin Cameron urges Allan Labor Government to increase tobacco inspector numbers, enforce licensing, and protect Latrobe Valley businesses from organised crime threatening local shops and operators. - Life Saving Victoria launches multilingual campaign to protect older adults around water, heat and rip currents
Life Saving Victoria has launched a multilingual campaign to help older adults, especially from multicultural communities, stay safe around water and during extreme heat across Victoria. - East Gippsland Council urges drivers to follow parking limits, protect access and support local businesses this festive season
East Gippsland drivers are urged to follow festive-season parking limits, respecting time restrictions, loading zones, and disabled bays to ensure town accessibility and support local businesses. - Latrobe City Children's Expo returns to Kernot Hall with family fun, interactive learning and the Monash Teddy Bear Hospital
Latrobe City Children's Expo returns to Kernot Hall on 23 October, featuring fun activities, entertainment, local services, and the Monash Teddy Bear Hospital promoting children's health, learning, and community connection. - East Gippsland Council endorses Coastal and Marine Management Plan to protect treasured coastline sustainably
East Gippsland Shire Council has endorsed the Coastal and Marine Management Plan, providing a coordinated framework to protect and sustainably manage coastal reserves with community, Traditional Owner, and stakeholder input. - Melina Bath condemns Labor for blocking protest bill and failing to protect police, businesses, and public safety
Labor, backed by the Greens and minor parties, blocked Nationals and Liberals legislation to ban protest face coverings, which Melina Bath said betrayed police, small businesses, and public safety across Victoria. - Baw Baw Shire secures $102,000 AusNet grant for five rural hall upgrades, emergency generators and community resilience
Baw Baw Shire secured a $102,000 AusNet Emergency Resilience Grant for five rural halls, funding switchboard upgrades, generators, and community events to improve emergency power readiness. - Melina Bath launches e-petition urging Labor to enforce gun laws properly and protect law-abiding firearm owners in Gippsland
Eastern Victoria MP Melina Bath and firearm owner Ryan Weeratunge launch e-petition urging Labor to enforce existing gun laws, avoid rushed changes, and consult law-abiding owners to ensure community safety. - East Gippsland Water warns dry conditions require following permanent water saving rules to protect community and future supply
East Gippsland Water urges residents to conserve water amid drying conditions, following Permanent Water Saving Rules to protect supplies, reduce pressure on catchments, and maintain community health and safety. - East Gippsland Shire invites community feedback on draft Open Space Strategy to protect parks, reserves and waterways
East Gippsland Shire Council is seeking community feedback on its draft Open Space Strategy, a long-term plan to improve parks, reserves, trails, and waterways, with consultation open until 1 October 2025. - Gippsland Water urges customers to follow permanent water saving rules during heat waves to maintain reliable supply and stability
Gippsland Water urges customers to use water wisely during heatwaves, follow permanent water saving rules, report leaks, and help maintain stable supply amid high demand and extreme conditions. - Tim Bull says kangaroo overpopulation devastates farms, with permits insufficient to protect crops and livelihoods
Gippsland farmers face severe crop damage from exploding kangaroo populations. MP Tim Bull urges urgent permit reforms to allow practical, case-by-case management, protecting livelihoods and ensuring ongoing food production. - Martin Cameron says Labor fails on crime, wasting millions on machete bins instead of protecting Gippsland
Crime in Latrobe has surged under Labor, with Moe incidents up 26% and retail theft 65%. Nationals' Martin Cameron says only their Safer Communities Plan will restore safety. - Gumbuya World kicks off summer fun with Oasis Springs reopening and family-friendly GumBOOya Halloween extravaganza
Gumbuya World reopens Oasis Springs on November 1, launching summer's splash season after GumBOOya Halloween. Families can enjoy slides, wildlife encounters, cabanas, and year-round thrills just 50 minutes from Melbourne. - East Gippsland Council launches pool and spa safety inspection service to ensure compliance and protect residents
East Gippsland Council reminds residents to ensure pools and spas meet safety regulations and offers a $385 Barrier Compliance Inspection Service, including inspection, report, follow-up, certification, and database lodgement. - Danny O’Brien urges Gippsland communities to participate in Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday, 1 March 2026
Danny O’Brien encourages Gippsland communities, schools, and groups to join Clean Up Australia Day on 1 March 2026, protecting beaches, waterways, and local areas while building on last year’s success. - 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. - Melina Bath urges communities to honour veterans' families and support Legacy Week fundraising efforts
Melina Bath urges communities to support Legacy Week, honouring veterans' families. Funds raised provide financial, educational and emotional support, continuing Sir Stanley Savige's century-old vision of care, compassion and mateship. - Tim Bull encourages Gippsland East communities to apply for Victorian government’s Tiny Towns Fund Grants until 4 February 2026
Tim Bull urges Gippsland East communities to apply for the Tiny Towns Fund, offering $5,000-$50,000 grants to support tourism, liveability, and local projects for towns under 5,000 residents.
|
|
