A comprehensive program of bushfire prevention works on Council-owned roadsides and reserves to prepare the Shire of Nillumbik for the next fire season is underway.
Manningham Council, with the support of Nillumbik, has produced a video called 'Don't Wait and See' - specifically aimed at residents living in and around the Warrandyte area.
You can either watch the video here or complete the form below to request a copy to be sent to you, alternatively you can contact Council on 9433 3111 to have a copy posted to you.
Due to a technical problem previous requests for this video have not lodged correctly - this has now been rectified. We would like to apologise for the inconvenience.
In total Council has allocated $650,000 for fire prevention on roadside and Council reserves this year.
The schedule involves works such as box clearance, slashing and vegetation removal at various locations across the Shire. This program of work and its development has involved consultation with the Municipal Fire Prevention Committee and local fire brigades.
It identifies work that needs to be undertaken this year in addition to the ongoing annual maintenance schedule. Work has already begun and residents will soon see contractors and Council staff across the Shire carrying out this important work.
The schedule of works identifies priorities for additional fuel reduction recommended by the Municipal Fire Prevention Committee and through feedback from local CFA brigades. It also includes existing annual fire prevention works.
The program has been scheduled into high, medium and low priority based on proximity to residential properties; topography; current fuel loads; ecological values, use and proximity to services. This is augmented with local input from CFA brigades on priorities for access for fire fighting purposes.
There has also been consultation with the Department of Sustainability and Environment, the Municipal Association of Victoria and VicRoads in relation to a State-wide process and consistency around developing priorities for roadside works.
While a hazardous tree inspection was conducted in 2010-2011, further inspections will be conducted this year based on the roadside assessments and recommendations from the CFA.
Initiatives by the State Government through DSE and VicRoads to develop maps to indicate relative risk from vegetation on roadsides will assist in future planning for vegetation management.
This mapping work is at an early stage however it provides us with an opportunity for cross referencing against the local priorities that we have set with our local brigades.
Regrowth is an issue for parts of our Shire and some of the budget has been allocated towards managing regrowth in the fire affected areas and while a lot of the growth is young, the density of it needs to be addressed.
As the weather starts to get warmer we all need to think about our responsibilities for fire prevention works. Council has limited resources but through this strategic plan the most appropriate work is being done in the most fire-prone locations.
Whilst managing vegetation is an important part of managing fire risk it is not the complete answer. The CFA advise that when the fire danger rating is at Severe or higher, fires that start and take hold may be uncontrollable. Residents should consider this and their own situation when developing their fire plans.
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