Planned burns get $44m

Planned burns get $44m

01 May 2012

Australia — Victoria – PLANNED burning to reduce bushfire risk is due to get a boost.

Today’s State Budget reveals an additional $44 million will be spent to support the Bushfires Royal Commission recommendations for more planned burns.

In all $35 million more would be allocated for upscale of planned burning to 250,000ha in the coming financial year. This is on top of the base funding already committed for burning efforts.

Also, $8.6 million would be spent on mapping, available to all emergency response agencies.

Environment Minister Ryan Smith said this year so far 170,000ha has been burnt and the year’s target of 225,000ha was in line to be met.

“Planned burning is the best tool we have to reduce bushfire risk to people, properties and communities,” he said.

“Regular planned burning will help reduce the risk of there being more damaging large-scale fires like Black Saturday, the Alpine Fires and the Great Divide Fires,” Mr Smith said.

“The Victorian Government is working hard to end years of complacency in relation to the risk of bushfires from excessive fuel loads.”

24. November 2017/by GFMCadmin