By ANEEKA SIMONIS
MORE planned burns will be rolled out across Cardinia Shire to help reduce the bushfire risk in the coming summer season.
Department of Environment and Primary Industries Regional Services Program Manager Sally Bateman says there are three burns scheduled for the area over the next 12 months.
“These include a 31-hectare planned burn at the Gembrook Scout Park, a 229-hectare burn in the Bunyip State Park, near Black Snake Creek Road and a 41-hectare burn at the Beaconsfield Reservoir, near Hughendon Road,” she said.
Increased numbers of planned burns come after the Coalition State Government ran a successful pilot program with the DEPI involving 30 burns on public land.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Bushfire Response Kim Wells said $800,000 would be made available for the CFA to boost their capacity to conduct planned burns on private and public land alongside the DEPI.
“Strengthening the CFA’s partnership with DEPI will provide firefighters with on-the-ground training and mentoring from experienced firefighters in a controlled, but real-life environment,” he said.
Planning burning helps mitigate the risk of bushfires which pose threats to individuals, communities, infrastructure and the environment.
“Planned burning reduces bushfire fuel such as dead wood, leaf litter, bark and shrubs. Less bushfire fuel means fires are less intense and slows them down, making it easier for firefighters to control them before they threaten lives and assets,” Ms Bateman said.
In addition to planned burning, CFA has developed local response plans for at-risk communities in the Shire, including Cockatoo, Gembrook, Beaconsfield, Pakenham Upper and Garfield North.
“The plans are a tool to help brigades or incident management teams who may not be local to the area understand different infrastructure or hazard risks for the safety of firefighters and the community,” said Pakenham CFA Community Risk Adviser Phil Craig.
The State Government is confident their investment in fire safety will help better prepare communities for bushfire season.
“The Coalition Government’s planned burning achievements last year reached a 30-year high and over four years has carried out planned burns more than 700,000 hectares of public land,” Mr Wells said.
“This record investment and integrated approach to our fire services highlights the Coalition Government’s commitment to the CFA and DEPI and the critical role career and volunteer firefighters play in keeping Victorians safe.”
