The state planning minister Matthew Guy has announced thousands of houses across Victoria have had their bushfire risk status removed or changed under a regulatory review endorsed by the CFA, Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board, Department of Environment and Primary Industries and other government departments.

Overall, 235,872 properties are no longer subject to the bushfire regulations, while 118,996 properties have been added, for a net reduction of 116,876.

In Ballarat the net reduction was 10,755 urban lots.

The review, intended to reduce costs and red tape for landowners, was welcomed by the Master Builders Association.

“Homebuyers across Victoria stand to save between $3000 and $10,000 on the cost of a new home,” Master Builders executive director Brian Welch said yesterday.

“People building new homes in communities genuinely at risk of bushfire should be protected, but adding unnecessary costs to tens of thousands of properties with no risks hurts home ownership rates and hurts our industry.

“The make up of our cities, suburbs and regional communities constantly changes, and it is important that bushfire maps adequately account for these changes now and in the future.” 

Mount Helen resident Lillian Quinn said she had rung up the Department of Sustainability and Environment in March about trees cut down in the Canadian Forest.

Mrs Quinn said the dead wood was still scattered about the forest and, while it was not dangerous at present, could become a serious risk during bushfire season.

“In March some trees, including pine trees, were cut down and they weren’t removed,” Mrs Quinn said. 

“I asked in March when the planned burn was and the DSE said it would be a few weeks later.

“I rang up recently and spoke with a lady at the department. She told me there wouldn’t be a burn off because it is too wet, which is fair enough.

“But the point I want to make is, why don’t they remove these cut down trees? If there is a fire at summer it would be deadly, whether it would go towards Ballarat or the university.”

gav.mcgrath@fairfaxmedia.com.au