After three and a half years of inaction, the Andrews Labor Government has failed to provide a timeframe for when the Sydenham Inlet Road fire break will be completed.
This is despite the project being listed as the highest Strategic Fuel Break priority for Gippsland in the Forest Fire Management Victoria’s Strategic Fuel Break Program 2022-2025.
Gippsland East Nationals’ MP, Tim Bull, said the Sydenham Inlet Road fire break is crucial for the protection of the community, with the road being the only access in and out of the town.
“A strategic fuel break is Bemm River’s first line of defence and contributes to the overall fire resilience of the town,” Mr Bull said.
“We don’t want a repeat of the Black Summer Bushfires where inadequate roadside vegetation management closed roads to both Cann River and Mallacoota when large trees fell across the road, blocking access to both towns.”
Mr Bull said, there is confusion surrounding the responsibility of which entity will pick up the tab for maintenance once it is created. He has been asked by East Gippsland Shire Council to seek an understanding of the financial responsibility of the fire mitigation works, which he believes should not be passed on to ratepayers.
“As the road is managed by East Gippsland Shire Council, but the forest management is the responsibility of the State, I asked the Minister for Environment to clarify which entity is responsible for the ongoing maintenance,” Mr Bull said.
“Alarmingly, the Minister refused to answer my question. Instead, she remarked the establishment of this potentially lifesaving fire break, ‘will be considered for future programs’.
“This sounds to me like the Government, not only has no plan to undertake any works before this summer, but that it needs to consider if the project is worthy of implementation.
“With the Minister’s non-committal response and the lack of action currently underway, I am concerned about the project moving forward before this summer.
“For the safety of the community, this project must be prioritised, and I have called on the Minister to work with EGSC, and just get the fire break done.”
Caption: Local MP, Tim Bull, pictured on Sydenham Inlet Road near Bemm River, where a firebreak is needed to create fuel breaks and buffer zones to protect the community against the threat of bushfire.

Monday, 7 August 2023