Bushfire safety plan

PLANNING and community consultations have begun on a proposed network of strategic fuel breaks across the region to reduce bushfire risk.

Areas under assessment include Wye River, Separation Creek, Kennett River, Forrest, Gellibrand, Mt Clay and Narrawong, Heathmere and Bolwarra, Princetown, and Nelson.

Strategic fuel breaks are an approximately 20-40m-wide corridor of land where the vegetation is modified so fire management activity can be undertaken safely, including back burning and planned burns.

The proposed breaks are in locations that will help firefighters protect private property, significant transport routes and critical community assets like water and power supplies during a bushfire.

Deputy chief fire officer Andrew Morrow said bushfire modelling, input from other emergency services and local knowledge would determine the most effective locations for the breaks.

Some will cross private and public land.

“This work will improve the safety of our fire crews and boost their ability to fight, contain or reduce the impacts of bushfires on these communities,” Mr Morrow said. “While no one action totally removes the risk, they will give us a better chance at defending property and important assets.”

Thorough environmental and cultural assessments will also be undertaken to manage impacts on animals, important native vegetation, and any identified cultural sites.

Cultural assessments are being undertaken in partnership with Traditional Owners.

Once the fuel breaks are constructed regular maintenance will occur. While the breaks can initially look bare, over time they could resemble open heathlands or grassy woodlands with larger trees retained.

This is the second stage of the region’s fuel break project, with new breaks around Lorne, Aireys Inlet, Anglesea, and along sections of the Great Ocean Road now complete.

The project will be delivered in consultation with local councils, Parks Victoria, Regional Roads Victoria, and the Country Fire Authority.

The Victorian government has invested more than $35m to enhance the state’s strategic fuel break network with more than 484km now upgraded and another 963km scheduled for completion by June 2022.