Work starts on 35-kilometre fuel break

WORKS are set to begin to create a 35-kilometre fuel break around townships along the Great Ocean Road.

The works are ramping up following the success of demonstration breaks in Lorne, Aireys Inlet and Anglesea last year.

Under the new fire management strategy, a complete ring of fuel reduced land will be planned around towns by utilising back-burning, planned burns, mulching and slashing.

Breaks will be 40 metres wide and modified to resemble open grassy woodland, with larger trees retained where possible.

FFMVic Otway’s district manager David Roberts said on-ground initiatives were vital as windows to conduct planned burns continue to get smaller.

“Over the next few weeks locals will see work really ramping up, so we encourage everyone to follow all signage and advice to ensure their safety,” he said.

“No one action completely removes the risk of bushfires, but the breaks will mean these townships have a permanent fuel reduced ring around them, from where firefighters are better able to defend the town and conduct planned burning operations.”

Additional fuel reduction works will be completed by Regional Roads Victoria with the removal of hazardous trees that reduce the access of emergency services and residents across the Great Ocean Road and the Deans Marsh to Lorne Road.

The project is estimated to cost $1.5 million funded through the Victorian Government’s Safety Together program and delivered by the Surf Coast Shire Council, Regional Roads Victoria and the Country Fire Authority.

Surf Coast Shire manager environment and community safety, Rowan Mackenzie, said the active year-round works will help to manage the bushfire risk throughout the landscape while partnering with key stakeholders.

“An expanded network of fuel breaks will improve bushfire resilience and really complements the great work our community and private landholders undertake to reduce bushfire risk,” he said.

Traffic management will be in place in parts of the region with locals and visitors being reminded to follow the advice of relevant signage.