OVER the past few weeks, communities in or near the bush have told the Victorian Government they want more fuel reduction burning to better protect them from bushfire.
The Premier has responded by announcing $382 million to scale up planned burning over the next four years to 275,000 hectares.
We will then review the effectiveness and impacts of this program, and the best way to achieve 385,000 hectares within two years after that.
Victoria’s Department of Sustainability and Environment is already committed to stepping up planned burning.
We are building our capacity by recruiting and training more permanent and seasonal firefighters, and planning what has to be done with local communities.
I want DSE to burn not just more area, but burn smarter – using the best science and modelling to monitor how the bush is faring, and clearly demonstrating the benefits.
I also want Victorians to be fully aware of the significant bushfire protection offered by planned burning, as well as the impacts – such as increased smoke effects on community health and some industries.
There are always risks when fires are lit, so even with careful planning and execution there will be a few fires that get away.
But we will push on, as our priority is to help protect lives, properties and the bush from devastating and destructive bushfires.
The Premier has asked us to do more burning, and that is what we are doing.
I urge all Victorians to support this critical initiative to better protect us from the real possibility of uncontrolled summer bushfires.
Ewan Waller,
Chief Fire Officer, Department of Sustainability and Environment.
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