Premier

Communities To Have A Say In Bushfire Fuel Management

21 May 2015

The Andrews Labor Government will begin consulting with community and stakeholder groups on the future direction of bushfire fuel management on public land in Victoria.

Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water, Lisa Neville, and Minister for Emergency Services, Jane Garrett, today released the Review of Performance Targets for Bushfire Fuel Management on Public Land by the Inspector-General for Emergency Management.

The review makes four recommendations for the way forward in Victoria’s fuel management, including a shift away from a hectare-based fuel reduction target to a risk-reduction target, which is also the same view of the Bushfire Royal Commission Implementation Monitor.

The Labor Government will now begin consultation with communities and stakeholders, including fire management agencies, before making a decision on the recommendations later this year.

Earlier this year the Government asked the Inspector-General for Emergency Management to review current approaches to fuel management and provide recommendations on future performance targets.

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, together with Parks Victoria, actively manages bushfire fuels on public land as part of a fuel management program.

Victoria has to date reached over 80 per cent of its 2014-15 planned burning target of 275,000 hectares.

Information on the report and consultation process is available on the DELWP website at www.delwp.vic.gov.auExternal Link

Quotes attributable to Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water, Lisa Neville

“Labor’s approach to fuel management will focus on how we can best protect communities and we will now consult with local communities, experts and fire management agencies."

“The Andrews Labor Government will ensure that local values and knowledge play a key role in Victoria’s changing approach to fuel management.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Emergency Services, Jane Garrett

“This report by the Inspector-General of Emergency Management gives us a strong foundation on which to work with the community for better bushfire fuel management in Victoria.”

“The Government is working to grow our capabilities and expertise in bushfire management so we can better protect property, communities and our firefighters.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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