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Local knowledge sought for fire planning
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Local knowledge sought for fire planning

Residents who would like to find out more information about planned burns in Victoria’s parks and forests should attend one of the community information sessions, said Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull.

Upcoming community information sessions will be held on:

Tuesday 16 August, 2011 Heyfield : DSE Office – Licola Road at 1.00pm – 7.00pm (Open office session)

Friday 19 August, 2011 Ensay : Ensay Hall – Great Alpine Highway at 9.30am – 10.30am Benambra : Benambra Neighbourhood House, Gibbo Street at 11.30am – 12.30pm Omeo : Parks Victoria Office, Day Avenue at 1.00pm – 2.00pm Swifts Creek : DSE Office, McMillan Avenue at 2.30pm – 3.30pm

“Far East Gippsland is acknowledged as one of the most fire prone areas in the world and it is very important that people with local knowledge of the hazards faced when dealing with bushfires give their input into this region’s fire planning,” Mr Bull said.

“Each District in the state develops a Fire Operations Plan for the coming three years which shows planned burns and other fire prevention works such as slashing, track works and construction of fire breaks.

“The Victorian Coalition Government committed prior to the last election to increase planned burning annually and so we will work closely with local communities to ensure that this is achieved effectively,” Mr Bull said.

Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Ryan Smith, confirmed the Victorian Coalition Government’s commitment to consulting with local communities about their fire operations plans.

Proposed new fire management zones for public land are also being displayed at the same time and are available for public comment.

“Local knowledge is critical to ensuring that the proposed changes to zones will help fire managers decide where, when and how often to burn and to ensure that Victoria is best prepared to protect communities from bushfire,” Mr Bull said

DSE Fire Operations Plans are developed in consultation with communities, special interest groups, local councils, Parks Victoria, Melbourne Water, forest managers, CFA, flora and fauna specialists and any other parties who register their interest.

Members of the community unable to attend the various community information sessions being held in the region can either view the District Fire Operation Plans online at www.dse.vic.gov.au, or call DSE on 136 186, or visit your local DSE or Parks Victoria Office.

Comments will be received up until 29 August 2011.