Fire breaks completed around Lorne, Aireys Inlet and Anglesea

STRATEGIC fuel breaks around the towns of Lorne, Aireys Inlet and Anglesea are now complete.

The new breaks are collectively 35 km long and have created a corridor of fuel-reduced land about 40 metres wide around the towns where fire management activity can be carried out, including back burning and planned burns close to towns.

The fire breaks are in locations that will help firefighters protect private property, significant transport routes and critical community infrastructure such as water and power supplies.

Regular maintenance will occur, and over time they will resemble open heathlands or grassy woodlands with larger trees retained.

Work to clean up rubbish uncovered during construction is ongoing, with support from the Surf Coast Shire’s Working for Victoria crews.

In partnership with Regional Roads Victoria, more than 200,000 hazardous trees were also assessed between Bellbrae and Lorne and along Deans Marsh-Lorne Road, with those that presented a clear danger made safe by trimming.

Treatment of hazardous trees makes roads safer by reducing the risk of falling limbs that can block access for emergency services, residents and other road users during high winds, storms, and bushfires.

The project was funded by the Victorian Government through the Safer Together initiative and was delivered in partnership with the Surf Coast Shire council, Regional Roads Victoria, and the Country Fire Authority.

“This has been a significant project and we’re really proud to deliver it in partnership with other agencies and emergency services,” Forest Fire Management Victoria Otways district manager David Roberts said.

“These are practical actions to increase the safety of local communities in a very bushfire prone landscape.

“We want to thank local organisations, community groups and individuals in these towns for their vital input during planning over the last year or so, and for their patience as we delivered work on the ground.

“While no single action completely removes the risk of bushfires, doing nothing is simply not a option and these new breaks mean we have a permanent fuel reduced area around the townships from where firefighters are better able to defend and conduct planned burning.”

Community consultation on the next phase of the region’s strategic fuel break project will start later this year.

Future locations include near the towns of Wye River, Kennett River, Apollo Bay, Port Campbell, Gellibrand, Lavers Hill and Forrest.