Fire threat managed in Ocean Grove

FIRE authorities have teamed up to create a 40-metre wide corridor along Grubb Road in Ocean Grove as part of a program to manage bushfire risk in the nature reserve.

Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic), Parks Victoria, and the local Country Fire Authority (CFA) brigade are working together to deliver a program of fuel reduction works and to help inform the community about how the reserve is being managed.

In the past six years several techniques have been employed by authorities to manage the reserve including planned burns and extensive mechanical mulching.
Mulching has been the preferred approach because it allows specific species and trees to be protected, it is safe year round (regardless of weather), there is no impact from smoke on nearby residential areas and it increases biodiversity by encouraging a grassy woodland.

FFMFVic Otway District manager, David Roberts, said creating a corridor through mulching would manage risk and provide a buffer between vegetation and nearby houses, creating community confidence.

“Mulching provides us the option to be very targeted with our fuel treatment. It is safe and effective in reducing fuel loads close to homes and businesses. We’ll continue to deliver these important works year-round and conduct further planned burning when it is safe to do so.”

“What someone sees as fuel, another person will see as habitat, therefore striking the balance through an evidenced-based approach is really important for us, to ensure we have the right treatment on the right areas,” he said.

Mulching and other fire management techniques, such as the slashing program which clears fire access tracks, have already created a healthier reserve and promoted native grasses such as Native Spear Grass and Wallaby Grass.