DSE - Fire Prevention Works - Otways
The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) wants to share its plans for burning and other
fire prevention works with the community.
Every year DSE, together with Parks Victoria, prepare plans for fire operations for Victoria’s public land,
parks, forests and reserves.
These plans show where we intend to do burning and other fire prevention works such as slashing and
mulching over the coming three years.
Draft Fire Operations Plans for 2010/11 – 2012/13 for all districts are now available for viewing on-line at
the DSE.
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70a Camp Rd Anglesea
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83 Gellibrand St Colac
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57 Grant St Forrest
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Cnr Fenwick & Little Malop St Geelong
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58 Main Rd Gellibrand
You can also access DSE's interactive map website to see what burning and other works are planned in
your area.
We want everyone to have a chance to hear about and understand our plans, as well as provide feedback
and input.
You can do this by downloading and filling out a Planned burning feedback sheet and forwarding to DSE
by following
instructions on the feedback sheet, or sending it straight to me at:
Stuart Gardiner
Department of Sustainability & Environment
58 Main Rd
Gellibrand VIC 3239
Tel: 52 357 202
You can e-mail comments to stuart.gardiner@dse.vic.gov.au
If you would like to speak to someone about planned works near you, please call the DSE Customer
Service Centre on 136 186.
While planned burning on its own cannot stop a fire completely, it as a valuable tool for reducing the risk
to communities.
Burning can help reduce the intensity of a bushfire and reduce the risk to lives, homes and the
environment.
As fire is a natural part of our environment, DSE also sometimes uses burning to keep the bush healthy.
While it’s vital we get this planned burning done for the protection of the whole community, DSE is
aware that there are impacts on the locals and local industries, including smoke and temporary road or
park closures.
Fuel Reduction Burns
Parks Victoria together with Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) has undertaken a huge
burning program over the last few months. Although the summer season was quiet in regards to fires,
Parks Victoria employees have been busy planning and implementing Fuel Reduction Burns along the
coastal strip between Kennett River and Anglesea.
Starting in October, strategic burns around Lorne in the vicinity of Erskine Falls Road were completed.
150 hectares were burnt as part of the township protection program. Starting in early March more burning
has occurred, including a large 1,000 hectare burn in the Sharps Track area (near the Sheoak Picnic Area),
a 60 hectare burn near the Golf Course and 30 hectare burn at Big Hill. Other areas prepared and ready for
a fuel reduction burn are at Reedy Creek (460ha) and Allenvale (200ha).
A lot of preparation goes into the planning of these burns such as locating and preparing tracks for burn
boundaries, monitoring fuel moisture for weeks prior to ignition to gauge fire intensity, and waiting for
the right conditions. Burns can only be ignited when prescriptions are ideal, such as wind strength, fuel
moisture content not too dry or too wet, relative humidity not too low and temperature not too high.
Lindsay Murnan, Chief Ranger Eastern Otways
Lorne’s Crowning Glory
If Lorne’s residents implemented wholesale the removal of trees within 10m of dwellings, we would be
abdicating our responsibility to retain the natural crown that is Lorne’s majesty.
When the amended vegetation controls aimed at bushfire protection were introduced there was huge
concern about the potential impact on Lorne’s special character. The Government had allowed an ‘as-of-
right’ clearing of all trees up to 10m and low vegetation up to 30m around houses throughout both fire
prone areas and all rural Victoria regardless of fire risk.
Initially wholesale clearing was not the case in Lorne but some destructive and opportunistic clearing
followed. Some residents found the price of tree removal an inhibiting factor while others decided that
trimming was a better way to go. Having chosen to live here, most home owners seem to be well aware
that we cannot eliminate all risk and are taking a balanced approach: doing what’s necessary for fire
protection while being mindful of protecting Lorne’s natural beauty’. As we understand it, advice from
the CFA is that not all large trees in townships pose a significant fire risk. Clearing away the debris
underneath trees in the town however was very important. We support residents contacting the CFA
prior to the removal of significant trees in townships that may or may not prove to be a fire risk. The
10/30 rule will expire at the end of August and the Commission review its effects and hand down
recommendations on future vegetation controls
Favourable weather in May allowed a 40m wide protection zone to be completed around Lorne.
Community Fire Guards
What’s involved is a group of neighbours getting together to form a self help group and work out a fire
plan that’s specific to their locality and situation.
What’s needed is to understand the risk we face in a fire emergency, and to have a good assessment of
that risk. It’s always good to do things with your neighbours and the opportunity is there for you to form
a group. Importantly, it’s sensible to take initiatives in the quiet and calm of Lorne. When the season
starts, we’re too busy; it becomes too difficult or worse still, it’s too late.
If you’re interested to hear more, please contact your Community Fire Guard Facilitator Mandy Baker on
52 363 203 . Experience has shown this to be very worthwhile.
Meanwhile debris can be burnt on Wednesday and Saturday 10am – 3 pm. You’re requested to log your
burn with Vic Fire Burn Off so that the CFA isn’t called out unnecessarily.
Phone: 1800688511