Golden Plains meeting on bushfire report

By Dellaram Jamali
Updated November 2 2012 - 2:24pm, first published August 10 2010 - 3:39pm

GOLDEN Plains Shire residents are frustrated at the restrictions placed on fuel reduction around major roadsides in the region.The issue was raised at a meeting held on Monday afternoon to discuss the Royal Commission Bushfire Report recommendations.Grasslands by the Cressy-Shelford Road and Rokewood-Shelford Road are protected by the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.Although not directly related to the Royal Commission's findings, the issue was still a major topic of discussion among the 90 people in attendance.Golden Plains Shire mayor Jenny Blake said such restrictions posed a bushfire threat to surrounding areas.She said residents were angry and concerned for their own safety."Because they've got native grasses and legless lizards, we're being told that we can't burn these roads,'' Cr Blake said."If we don't burn them and the fire gets away, you're looking at wiping out an entire township."Fires happen here but we're being prevented from doing what we need to do for early preparation.''Cr Blake said it was unrealistic for people outside the region to place such restrictions on the roadside land."They don't live here. They don't come and fight our fires and they don't have to worry about whether or not they will have a house to come back to,'' she said.Department of Sustainability and Environment Biodiversity Services south west group manager Grant Hull said the grasslands were critically endangered and therefore listed under state and federal legislation."Many significant remnant native grasslands are found on roadside reserves,'' he said."These roadside grasslands are habitats for many native plants and animals, including threatened species.''But Mr Hull said such grasslands had lower flame heights, slower rates of spread and fewer embers.He said the DSE would work alongside the CFA to enable fuel-reduction burning."DSE supports burning of native grasslands at the appropriate time of year every two to three years to enhance the conservation of grasslands and to assist in community safety.''

Subscribe now for unlimited access.

$0/

(min cost $0)

or signup to continue reading

See subscription options

Get the latest Ballarat news in your inbox

Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date.

We care about the protection of your data. Read our Privacy Policy.