New funds to aid bushfire planning

New funds to aid bushfire planning

24 February 2012

published by www.nationmultimedia.com

Australia — Victorian councils can now apply for a new round of funding to help them prepare for bushfires.

Grants from an $800,000 funding pool are available for councils in bushfire-prone areas to help them comply with fire planning requirements framed in the wake of Black Saturday.

The state government funds can be spent on strategic planning projects, with 11 councils having already shared in $120,000.

Planning Minister Matthew Guy said the Alpine Shire, a recipient in the last funding round, used the cash to develop in iPad application which looks at bushfire hazards and helps landholders identify the best site on which to build.

‘This second round of funding provides important support to councils in delivering bushfire planning activities,’ Mr Guy said.

‘It will go towards ensuring future development in their municipality is more fire-resilient, without imposing a financial burden upon ratepayers.’