Fuel break network expansion picking up heat

FUEL breaks will continue to pop up around south-western Victoria as bushfire season is knocking on the door.

Planning and consultations are underway for a proposed new network of fuel breaks that will reduce bushfire risk and give authorities more opportunities to conduct planned burning closer to communities to protect important assets, according to Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic).

“This work will improve the safety of our fire crews and boost their ability to fight, contain or reduce the impacts of bushfires on these communities,” Deputy Chief Fire Officer Andrew Morrow said.

“While no one action totally removes the risk, they will give us a better chance at defending property and important assets.”

This is the second stage of the region’s fuel break project, with new breaks around Lorne, Aireys Inlet, Anglesea just being completed.

Areas now under assessment down the Great Ocean Road and across the Otways include Wye River, Separation Creek, Kennett River, Forrest, Gellibrand, Mt Clay/Narrawong, Heathmere/Bolwarra, Princetown, and Nelson.

The strategic fuel breaks are between 20 to 40 metres wide and will allow fire management activity to be undertaken safely, including back burning and planned burns.

The proposed breaks are in locations that will help firefighters protect private property, significant transport routes and critical community assets like water and power supplies during a bushfire.

“It is a modification to a small part of the landscape that benefits and boosts safety for entire communities, and with the safe window to conduct planned burning getting smaller, practical, on-ground initiatives like this are vital,” Mr Morrow said.

“We’ll be seeking local input to ensure we leverage that invaluable knowledge to ensure the breaks are in the most effective locations and all values are considered.”

To date, the Victorian Government has allotted more than $35 million to enhance the state’s strategic fuel break network with more than 484 kilometres now upgraded and another 963 kilometres scheduled for completion by June 2022.

FFMVic will partner with local councils, Parks Victoria, Regional Roads Victoria, and the Country Fire Authority (CFA) to deliver the proposed fuel breaks.

For more information on the project and to make your feedback known head to www.engage.vic.gov.au/strategic-fuel-breaks.