VictorianGovernment’sresponse
totheEnvironmentandNaturalResourcesCommittee’s
InquiryintotheImpactof
PublicLandManagementPracticesonBushfiresinVictoria
Foreword
TheEnvironmentand Natural Resources Committee (ENRC)commencedthe Inquiry intotheImpactof Public LandManagement Practices onBushfires in VictoriainMarch2007.TheInquiry was tabledinParliamenton26June 2008.
TheVictorianGovernment thanks individuals, industryandotherstakeholder groupsfortheircontributionstoENRC inbothwrittenandoral submissions. Stategovernment agencies andtheirofficers havealsosupportedtheInquiry throughsubmissions,providingevidenceathearings andhostingsitevisits for theCommitteeacrossthestate.
Thereportmakes20recommendationsunderthethemes of:plannedburning; bushfiresuppressioninfrastructure; traditional landuses;andcommunityand stakeholderengagement.Thefollowingprovides theVictorianGovernment’s responsetoeachrecommendation.
Insummary, theVictorianGovernment supports, eitherfullyor inprinciple, all 20 recommendations of ENRC’s Inquiry. Inrespondingtoeachofthe recommendations,theVictorianGovernmentexpresses its positioninthe followingterms:
•Support: indicatesthattheVictorianGovernmentagrees withthe committee’s recommendation.
•Support inPrinciple: indicatesthat theVictorianGovernment agreeswith theintent of therecommendation,butnot necessarily withthemethod proposedbyENRC forachievingthatoutcome. Alternatively, theVictorian Governmentmaybelievethat whilethere is some merit inthe recommendation,furtheranalysis is requiredinrelationtosomeaspects of theproposal.
Termsof Reference
TheLegislativeCouncil undersection33of theParliamentaryCommittees Act 2003refersTerms ofReference requiring:
That theEnvironmentandNatural ResourcesCommitteeinquireintoand report upontheimpact ofpublic landmanagement practices onthe frequency, scaleandintensity of bushfires inVictoria, andinparticular—
(1)theextent, timing, resourcingandeffectiveness ofprescribedburningon bothcrownandfreeholdland;
(2)themanner inwhichprescribedburning is conducted,includinghow applicablecodes ofpracticeareemployed;
(3)the impact of prescribedburningand recent wildfiresonVictoria’s biodiversity,wildlifeandothernaturalassets includingwaterquality and quantity;
(4)thereportingprocess applicabletoprescribedburningprograms;
(5)thelegislativeand regulatoryarrangementsforprescribedburnsand bushfiremanagement;
(6)theeffectiveness ofmaintainingpermanent,strategicallyplacedfire breaks andcontainment linesthroughoutpublic landareas;
(7)theprovisionand maintenanceoflargewaterpointsoncrownlandto assist withbushfireaerial taskforceoperations;
(8)theimpact of traditional landuses suchastimberharvesting, grazing, four-wheel-driving, hunting, camping, miningandprospectingonthe scaleandintensity of bushfires andtheability ofrelevantagencies to respond;
(9)theprovisionand maintenanceofserviceableaccess tracksandsignage toassist withrecreational andemergencyrequirements;
(10)theimpact of climatechangeonbushfiresandpublic land management practices;
(11)whetheradditionalmeasures arerequiredtoprovideamechanismfor theskills, knowledgeandinterests oflocal communities, andappropriate scientific expertise,tobebetter representedinthemanagement of bushfirerisk onpublic land;
(12)theinvolvement of local communities inthe management offire; and
(13)anyothermatterthat impacts onthescaleandintensity of bushfires in Victoria.
On18July2007, LegislativeCouncil undersection33of theParliamentary Committees Act2003amendedtheterms of referenceto include:
(14)Theconsequent impact of bushfiresontheJune/July2007Gippsland flood.
TheCommittee isrequiredtoreport toParliament by30June2008.
Recommendation2.1
ThattheDepartmentofSustainabilityandEnvironmentimplementremotesensingimageryasaroutinepartofitspre-burnandpost-burnassessmentprocessforprescribedburning.MapsofeveryprescribedburnshouldbeproducedinasimilarformattothoseusedinWesternAustralia,indicatingtheboundaryofeachburnandthevaryingfireintensitiesachievedwithintheburnarea.TheboundariesofallFuelManagementZoneswithineachburnshouldalso beindicated.
EachprescribedburnmapshouldbemadepubliclyavailableontheDepartmentofSustainabilityandEnvironment’swebsite,togetherwithamapofthesameburnareawhichshowsthepre-burnfuelhazardlevelsandastatementofthetotalareatreatedwithineachFuelManagementZonebyeachprescribedburn.
Supportin principle
TheVictorianGovernment supportsthis recommendationinprinciple.The Department of SustainabilityandEnvironment (DSE)hastrialledtheuseof remotesensing imageryforplannedburnassessment.Thetrial involveda rangeof different approaches andincludeda reviewoftheWesternAustralian Departmentof Environment andConservation’s (DEC) remotesensing algorithms andtechniquesforapplication inVictoria.
Remotesensingtechnologyhas alreadybeenusedfor initialfireseverity assessments of plannedburns. Stepsincludeconductingpreandpost burn scannerflights tocaptureimagery, analysisandinterpretationofimagery followedbyfieldvalidationandgroundtruthing. Thetrial suggests that airbornemulti-spectralscanning is likelytobethemost effectiveandefficient technologyavailableforVictoria’s needs.
`Recommendation2.2
Thatinordertoenhancetheprotectionofcommunityandecologicalassets,theDepartmentofSustainabilityandEnvironmentincreaseitsannualprescribedburningtargetfrom130,000hectaresto385,000hectares.Thisshouldbetreatedasarollingtarget,withanyshortfallstobemadeupinsubsequentyears.
Supportin principle
TheVictorianGovernment supportsthis recommendationinprinciple.The VictorianGovernmentsupports plannedburningtoimproveprotection, conservationandproductionoutcomes. However, theannual areatreatedby plannedburningneedstobedeterminedbasedonscienceandrisk managementframeworks andbesubjecttosuitableopportunities as dictated byseasonal conditions. Giventhis,theGovernment recognises thatthe amount of plannedburningwillvarytotakeintoaccount thesefactors.
TheGovernment supports amoveawayfromfocusingonhectare-based targets which mayleadtoinappropriateplannedburningprograms.Theydo
notaccountfordifferences intheeffort requiredforsmall areaasset protectionburns (oftenaroundsettlements)comparedwithlargerscale mosaicburns inmoreremoteareas.The latter, whilenot providing immediate andapparent asset protectionare importantforachievingmultipleoutcomes. Acombinationof bothis required.
Recommendation2.3
Acomprehensivereviewoftheeffectivenessoftheincreasedprescribedburningtargetinmeetingecologicalandbushfiresuppressionneedsshouldbeconductedeverythree years.
Support
TheVictorianGovernment supportsthis recommendation.Successful land andfire managementprovides foranadaptivemanagement approachwhich aims touseavailableknowledge(including research,expert andlocal)to informandreviewfire management strategies andactions.This will involve reviewingtheeffectiveness of ourplannedburningprograminmeeting protection, conservationandproductionobjectives.
Thechallengeis assessinghowdifferentfire regimesmight providethese outcomesonalandscapescalenowandintothefuturesothat thecosts and benefits of plannedburningcanbecomparedwiththosearisingfromsevere bushfires.Victorianlandandfire managersareworkingclosely withthe BushfireCRC todeveloptheknowledgeandrisk managementtoolsthatwill enableustomakeand improvetheseassessments onanongoingbasis.
TheCodeof Practicefor FireManagement onPublic Land(2006)alsoguides aprocess of monitoringtheeffectiveness of burning. DSEandParks Victoria aredevelopingmonitoringprotocolsforassessingmanagement impacts on fuel,firebehaviourandecological outcomes (forexampleflorameasurement protocolshavebeenfinalised).This will providearigorousframework for assessingoutcomes ontheground.
Recommendation2.4
TheDepartmentofSustainabilityandEnvironmentshouldreportitsperformanceagainsttheincreasedprescribedburningtargetinitsannualreport,whichshouldalsoincludethefollowingdetails:
•thetotalareatreatedwithineachfuelmanagementzoneforeachregion;
•thetotalnumberofburnsconductedwithineachfuelmanagementzoneforeachregion;and
•theextenttowhichplannedecologicalandfuelreductionoutcomesweremetforprescribedburnswithineachfuelmanagementzoneforeachregion(e.g.asummaryoftheresultsofthepost-burnassessmentstobeconductedinaccordancewithrecommendation2.3above).
Supportin principle
TheVictorianGovernment supportsthis recommendationinprinciple.The recommendedperformancereportingmeasures will beincorporated into current livereportingsystemonthepubliclyaccessibleDSEwebsiteat will alsobereported intheAnnual report.
Informationcurrentlyavailableonthewebsite includesup-to-the-minutedetail onthenumberandareaof plannedburnsforfuel reduction, ecological and regenerationpurposes, locationmapsandstatus indicatorsthat track aburn’s progress fromtheplanningstages throughignitionandthentocompletion.
Recommendation2.5
ThattheDepartmentofSustainabilityandEnvironment,DepartmentofPrimaryIndustries,ParksVictoriaVicForestsseparatelycost,andreport,annualexpenditureonfuelreductionburning,ecologicalburningandregenerationburningintheirAnnualReports
Supportin principle
TheVictorianGovernment supportsthis recommendationinprinciple. Each plannedburntypically hasmultipleobjectives includingfuelreductionforasset protectionandpromotionof ecological health.Thecontributiontomeeting eachoftheseobjectives is not separatelycosted.Inadditiontodirect operational costs,expenditureonplannedburns includesextensiveplanning processes,communityengagement,ecological researchandmonitoringto achieveoptimumoutcomes.
VicForests undertakesregenerationburnsintimberharvestingcoupes, usuallywithoperational assistancefromDSEandotheragencies.Thedirect expenditureonthisactivityis knownandwillbepublished.
Plannedburnsonpark,forest, watercatchment orprivatelandetc,frequently drawpersonnelandequipmentfromotheragencies.Eachagencycurrently hasformalarrangements inplacetorecoveroperational costs incurred throughplannedburningorsuppression.AsDSEis responsibleforpublic land andfire management costings arecurrentlyconsolidated, but canbe disaggregatedinamannerconsistent withagencyfinancialpractices.
Recommendation2.6
ThattheVictorianGovernmentestablishafiveyearrollingfundwhichallowsunusedprescribedburningmoniestoberolledoverintofuturefinancialyearsforthepurposeofsubsequentprescribedburningactivities.
Supportin principle
TheVictorianGovernment supportsthis recommendationinprinciple. Fire management incurs ahighlevel of fixedcosts associatedwithensuringthat theright level ofresourcing is available. Thecost of plannedburning includes extensiveplanningprocesses, communityengagement,ecological research andmonitoringwhichtakeplacethroughout theyear. Burnpersonnel’s trainingandaccreditationalsoneedtobeupdatedandmaintainedregardless ofwhetherweatherconditionsenableasubstantialburningprogramtobe undertaken.
Inaddition, theFinancial Management Act1994,doesnot allowdepartments tocarryoverfundingformorethanonefinancial year. Governmentwill considerthis recommendationaspart of areviewoftheFinancial Management Act1994currentlybeingconductedbytheDepartment of TreasuryandFinance.
Recommendation2.7
ThattheVictorianGovernmentproviderecurringfundingforasignificantincreaseinregionally-based,permanent,orlong-tenured,firemanagementpersonneldedicatedtotheprescribedburningprogram.Theincreaseinpersonnelshouldbeconsistentwiththelevelrequiredtoachieveanannualprescribedburningtargetof385,000hectares.
Thepoolofavailablepersonnelshouldbesuitablydiverseandpossessawidevarietyofdisciplinesandskillsets,includingpracticalskills.TheDepartmentofSustainabilityandEnvironmentanditspartneragenciesshouldalsoincreasetheproportionofpersonnelwithspecialisttertiaryqualifications,includingfirebehaviourspecialists,forestscientists,landscapeecologistsandconservationbiologists.
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentandSustainabilityanditspartneragenciesshouldalsoprioritisethedevelopmentofprogramstoreducethelevelofstaffturnoverandtheproblem oftheageingworkforce,throughmoreeffectivesuccessionplanning.
Supportin principle
TheVictorianGovernment supportsthis recommendationinprinciple. Government recognises theneedforVictoria’s fire management agencies to maintainadequatefit,skilledandexperiencedpersonnel across thestate.
Government is identifyingopportunitiesfor:
•extendingseasonal contracts andadditional regionalfirefightersforboth responseandanincreasedprogramofplannedburning;
•successionplanning, includingacceleratedtrainingand learning opportunitiestofill currentandprojectedgapsinoperational experiences andbushskills;
•improvedfirefighterhealth, wellbeing, safetyandfatiguemanagement;
•theskills andcapacitytoundertaketherequisitecommunityengagement;
•volunteertrainingandsupport; and
•researchand monitoring includingspecialist tertiary qualifiedpersonnel in firebehaviour,forestscience,biology, ecologyandfiremanagement planning.
Recommendation4.1
ThattheVictorianGovernmentreplaceorcompensateforwatertakenfromdomestic,stockandirrigationdams,orwaterneededforessentialuse,intheeventofafire,regardlessofwherethebushfirestarts.
Supportin principle
TheVictorianGovernment supportsthis recommendationinprinciple. Current policyis that,duringextendeddryperiods, a reasonableandsufficient volume ofwaterforessentialuseis replacedtosustain:
•Thehealthof affected residencesandpets
•Thehealthandproductivityoftheirstock
Inmost cases water isreplacedwithin48hours whenrequested.
Thecurrent policy was developedduringthe2006/07seasoninresponseto theseveredrought affecting landholders, atatimewhenextensivebushfires alsocreatedamajorimpact.This policywas well receivedand inresponseto theextendeddrought,updatedforthe2007/08seasonincludingclarifyingthe criteriaofessentialuseandtheroles ofgovernmentagencies.Government will continuetoreview andimprovethepolicy inrelationtoongoing applicability, equity, eligibilitycriteriaanddefinedperiods of operation.
Landandfiremanagement agencies willwork withlocal government and otheragencies towards seamless integrationandsupportfor recoveryfrom bushfiresandplannedburning.
Recommendation5.1
ThattheDepartmentofSustainabilityandEnvironmentanditspartneragenciesconductorcommissionresearch,andapossibletrialstudy,todeterminethepotentialofthinningandothersilviculturalpractices–whetheraloneorincombinationwithprescribedburning–asameansofreducingfuelloadsandasabushfiremanagementstrategyinVictoria’sforests.
Support
TheVictorianGovernment supportsthis recommendation. DSEhas supported asignificantlyexpandedthinningprogrambyVicForests inrecentyears in productionforests.Thinning is oneof arangeofapproachesthat canbe usedtomanagefirerisk. AThinningPolicyandStrategyhavebeen developedtosupport this programacknowledgingthat thinning is a silvicultural techniquethatmayalterfuel loads andavailabilityandpromote
otherforest values suchasecological health,waterharvestingandfirewood production.
DSEhaspreviouslyconductedfireandthinnings researchinEast Gippsland withCSIRO. DSEcurrentlyfundsthinningandrelatedresearchat the Melbourne University SchoolofForest andEcosystemScience,theArthur RylahInstituteandtheBushfireCRC whichwouldbecomplementedbythe recommendedresearch.
Recommendation5.2
ThattheVictorianGovernmentexpeditetheimplementationofits2006electioncommitmenttoprovidefourwheeldriveclubswithaccesstomanagementvehicleonlytracks.
Support
TheVictorianGovernment supportsthis recommendation. Fourwheel drive clubs playanimportant roleinmaintainingthenetwork of tracks onpublic land, includingclearingand maintenancework.
Management vehicleonlytracks aregenerallyestablishedinnational orother parks asameans of achievingparticular recreationorconservation objectives, withaccessmanagedbyParks Victoria. DSEandParksVictoria haveanexistingmemorandumofcooperationwithFourWheel DriveVictoria. Throughthisforumanagreedprocessforselectionoftracksforauthorised clubtrips is currentlybeingfinalised.Accessis proposedtobeavailablefor agreedtracksfromearly2009.
Togainaccessfour wheeldriveusers will needtobemembers ofanaffiliated club. Membershipof fourwheel driveclubs involves training indriver behaviourandenvironmental responsibility.
Recommendation5.3
ThattheVictorianGovernmentconsiderallavailablemeans,consistentwithconservationvalues,forsubstantiallyincreasingtheaccessofapiariststothepublic landestate.
Supportin principle
TheVictorianGovernment supportsthis recommendationinprinciple.The importance of public landbeekeepingtotheState’seconomy, forhoney productsandthepollinationof agricultural andhorticultural crops, iswell understood.
Apiculture is currentlyallowedonallpublic landtenuresexcept wilderness, referenceareas ornearvisitorsites. Sitenumbers andlocation inagiven national orstatepark is generallyestablished inparkmanagement plans consistent withconservationvalues andbroaderpublic useobjectives.
Approximately3,300of theState’s estimated4,500beesites areonpublic land.
Theimpact of feral honeybees ontheenvironment is not well understood. Consequentlyapicultureonpublic land is managedwithcareful consideration ofthepotential impactonnativefloraandfauna, includingthreatenedspecies, andconsistencywithFloraandFaunaGuaranteeAct,ActionStatements and acceptedVictorianEnvironmentalAssessment Council recommendations.
Engagement withthis industryis viatheApicultureonPublic LandLiaison Group, whichareassessingprojects to identifypreviouslyusedsitesthatare nolongeravailable.This mayleadtothereinstatement of anumberofsites.
Recommendation6.1
ThatinrelationtoFireOperationsPlans,theDepartmentSustainabilityandEnvironmentextendsthenumberofcommunitymeetingsduringthepublicconsultationperiodtoaminimumofonemeetingforeachFireDistrict,withthepossibilityofrepeatvisitstoparticularareas.
Supportin principle
TheVictorianGovernment supportsthis recommendationinprinciple. A communitymeetingwill beheldineachdistrict as part of abroader communityengagement program. Public meetings workwell insome communities whileinothers theymaybepoorlyattended. Successful engagement withthecommunitywill employarangeof tools designedto meet localneeds.
Fireoperationsplanning is atwelve monthrollingprocess commencing in OctoberwithreviewanddevelopmentextendingtoApril,formal consultation fromApril toAugust andapproval processesinSeptember. Plannedburning is undertakenwhenconditionsaresuitable–generallyinspringand particularlyinautumn includingadvertisingandregularnotificationof the program. Communityinputis invitedatanytime.
Recommendation6.2
ThatfinalisedFireOperationsPlansbemadepubliclyavailableintheirentirety(withtheexceptionofanyprivateinformation)ontheDepartmentofSustainabilityandEnvironment’swebsiteandinhard-copy,andthatthisrequirementbeclearlystatedinfutureCodesofPractice.Thisshouldincludethe“districtburnslist”,oritsfutureequivalents,andamapwhichshowsthecorrespondingburnsforeachFireDistrict.Eachmapshouldbeprovidedina formatwhichcanbedownloadeddirectlyfromtheDepartment’swebsitewithouttheneedforfurtherdatamanipulationbytheuser.AnidenticalhardcopyversionofthemapforeachFireDistrictshouldbealsobeavailabletomembersofthepubliconrequestandfreeofcharge.
Support
TheVictorianGovernment supportsthis recommendation. Maps of planned burnsarecurrentlyaccessiblethroughaninteractivefacilityonDSE’s website. Thisfacilityallows forhardcopymapstobeaccessedforanyFireDistrict.
Final FireOperationsPlansforeachplanningareawill be madeavailableon thewebsiteand inhardcopyat local DSE offices (includingvariations, amendments, lists ofpostponements andcarryforwards).
Recommendation6.3
ThatthedetailsofanyvariationoramendmentofaFireOperationsPlan,including:thecarryingforwardorpostponementofburnswithinthethree-yearperiodcoveredbyaFireOperationsPlan;thecarryover,removalorreschedulingofburnsbetweenpast,presentandfutureFireOperationsPlans;andthealterationofburnboundaries(includingalterationsoflessthan25percent);shouldappearontheDepartmentofSustainabilityandEnvironment’swebsiteatthetimeofthechangeandbeincludedintheFireOperationsPlanforthefollowingyear.
Support
TheVictorianGovernment supportsthis recommendation.Seeresponseto Recommendation6.2.
Recommendation6.4
ThatallinformationpertainingtocurrentandplannedprescribedburnsbepublishedmoreprominentlyontheDepartmentofSustainabilityandEnvironment’swebsite,withasingleprominentlinktothismaterialonthewebsitehomepage.
Support
TheVictorianGovernment supportsthis recommendation.Thefront pageof DSE’swebsitecurrentlyhas adirect linkFireandotheremergencieswhere informationonplannedburns is located.
SeealsoresponsetoRecommendation6.2.
Recommendation6.5
ThataprocessofyearroundcommunityengagementinthepreparationofFireOperationsPlansbeestablished.Inadditionarecordofyearroundcommunityengagement,ascontainedintheGippslandFireOperationsPlan,shouldbearequirementofallFireOperationsPlans.
Supportin principle
TheVictorianGovernment supportsthis recommendationinprinciple. See responseto recommendation6.1.
Recommendation6.6
ThattheIntegratedFireManagementPlanningframeworkestablishzonesintheinterfacebetweenpublicandprivate landinwhichbushfireriskmanagementisthesharedresponsibilityoftheVictorianGovernmentandprivatelandholders.
Supportin principle
TheVictorianGovernment supportsthis recommendationinprinciple. Acore principleof theIntegratedFireManagement Planning (IFMP)framework is sharedresponsibilityformanagingfirerisk betweenprivatelandandpublic landmanagers.
Victoriais oneof the mostfirepronepartsoftheworld. Inthis environment adequatelevels of bushfirerisk reductioncanonlybeachievedthrough sharedresponsibilitybetweentheGovernment andthepublic - riskmitigation is not theresponsibility ofGovernment orprivatelandowners alone.
Giventhewidespreadnatureof bushfirerisk,andtheneedforall Victorians to playtheirpart in its reduction,sharedresponsibilityis imperative.Thefocus is on:
•firemanagement planningcarriedout withacommonunderstandingofrisk and clarifyingagencies’ andindividuals’ rolesin mitigatingthese risks; and
•communityeducationandengagementabout livingwithfire..
•landuseplanningtoenabletheconcept ofsharedresponsibilitytobe factoredintonewdevelopments.
Recommendation6.7
ThattheVictorianGovernmentestablishaclearandconsistentBushfireFencingPolicyfordamagecausedbyallfuturebushfiresandprescribedburns.TheBushfireFencingPolicyshouldincludethefollowingprovisions:
•theGovernmentcontributehalfthecostofreplacingorrepairingforfencingontheboundarybetweenpublicandprivatelandthatisdestroyedordamagedbyafirewhichhasemergedfrompublicland,butonlywherethecostofreplacementorrepairwasnototherwiserecoverable;
•theGovernmentpayacontribution,ofupto100percent,ofthecostofrestoringfencesor otherassetsdestroyedordamagedbybackburningconductedduringfiresuppressionoperations;
•theGovernment willpaythefullcostoffencesorotherassetsdestroyedordamagedifprescribedburnsonpubliclandescapeontoprivateland;
•theGovernmentwillpaythefullcostofrehabilitationoffirecontrollinesonprivatepropertyestablishedbytheCountryFireAuthorityortheDepartmentofSustainabilityandEnvironment duringwildfiresuppressionactivityforfireoriginatingonpublicland;and
•theGovernmentwillpaythefullcostofrepairingorreplacingfencesonprivatelandthatare damagedordestroyedbymachineryusedincontrollingbushfiresthatoriginateonpublic land.
Supportin principle
TheVictorianGovernment supportsthis recommendationinprinciple. Current policyaims toassist landholders withtheir recoveryafterfire, whileensuring thatdisincentives arenot createdtounder insureassets againstbushfireor otherdamage.Anumberof assistancemeasures, including repairor replacement or reimbursement of costs, arecurrentlyavailableonrequestfor landholders impactedbyfire.
•by bushfirethatemerges frompublic land:thecost ofthis damageis recoverablewithgovernment reimbursing reasonableinsuranceexcess up toamaximumof$400forboundaryfencesdestroyedordamagedby bushfireemergingfrompublic landorcontributing$400towards cost of repair/replacement.This approach is consistent withthe recommendations oftheVictorianBushfireInquiry(2003). Inlimited cases, wheninsurance is notavailabletoalandholderforfencing, (i.e. on afloodplain)government considersthe individual circumstancesona case-bycasebasis.
•backburningconductedduringfiresuppressionoperations: is considered tobedamagebythebushfireandthereforeinsurableandrecoverable underS93of CountryFireAuthority Act (1958). Nofurther reimbursement is made.
•plannedburnsonpublic landthat escapeontoprivate land: landholders arereimbursedforthefull cost of fencingandotherassetsdestroyedor damagedbyplannedburns that escape.
•rehabilitationof firecontrol lines: wherefireoriginates frompublic landand control linesareconstructedonprivateland,DSErehabilitatesor reimbursestheland-holderthefull cost.The CFAhasadutyundersection 20of theCountry FireAuthority Act1958totakeallnecessarysteps forthe preventionandsuppressionoffires andfortheprotectionoflifeandproperty inthecaseof fire inthecountryareaof Victoria. Thecountryareaof Victoriameans anypart of Victoriaoutsidethemetropolitanfiredistrict including morethan980,000homes,andcovers all ofruralVictoriaincluding provincial cities andtowns, except forStateForests, NationalParksor protectedpublic land.Control lines inareas ofCFAresponsibilityare consideredtobedamagebyfireunderS93of Country FireAuthorityAct (1958)andcoverablebytheland-holder’s insurance,thoughwhere practicablework is donetorehabilitatecontrollines whileequipmentis still availableatafire.
•fencesdamagedordestroyedby machinery:wherefireoriginatesfrom public landanddamagetofencing is causedbymachineryduring suppressionactivities, thesefencesarereplacedor repairedbyDSE, or thefull cost ofrepairorreplacement is reimbursedtothe land-holder. Fires entirelyonprivatelandaretheresponsibility ofCFAanddamageto fencingbyCFAis consideredtobedamagebyfireunderS93ofCountry FireAuthority Act (1958)andcoveredbythelandholders insurance.
Government willworkwithlandholders, thecommunityandtheinsuranceand agricultural industries todevelopaconsistentandequitableongoingpolicy. Government policy willcontinuetoemphasisesharedresponsibilityand encouragelandholders toassess andmanagetheir risks withregardtofire takingupadequateinsurancewhereavailable.
Recommendation6.8
ThattheVictorianGovernmentandresponsibleagenciesexpeditetheimplementationoftheIntegratedFireManagementPlanningframework.
ThattheIntegratedFireManagementPlanningframeworkintegrate,asfaraspossible,firemanagementplanningatthemunicipallevelwithbothFireProtectionPlans(ortheirfutureequivalents)andFireOperationsPlans.
Supportin principle
TheVictorianGovernment supportsthis recommendationinprinciple. IntegratedFireManagementPlanning (IFMP) is aframework developedin responsetotheVictorianBushfireInquiry(2003)tofacilitatemulti agencyand communityinvolvement toimprovetheconsistency ofbushfiremanagement planningacross landtenures.Atthehighestlevel this involves agencies and communities comingtogethertobetterunderstand risks, andthenagreeingon priorities, responsibilities andactionsunderaframework ofshared responsibility.
IFMPis ledbytheCountryFireAuthority(CFA)whichhas establisheda governancestructure,regional committees andpublic communications material toinitiatetheproject.
Recommendation6.9
ThattheDepartmentofSustainabilityandEnvironmentanditspartneragenciescontinuetodevelopaproactiveapproachtoengagementwiththelocalandwidermediatoachievecontinuousimprovementinthestandardofcommunityinformationandeducation.
Support
TheVictorianGovernment supportsthis recommendation.Government agencies havebuilt avaluable relationshipwithABC radioastheEmergency Services Broadcastergreatlyimprovingdeliveryofbushfire informationto communities.
ChiefOfficers andRegional Managers ofDSEandCFAholdpreandpost seasonbriefings withkeymediaagencies,inadditiontobriefings onmajor events.TheInformationUnit withintheIntegratedEmergencyCoordination Centreincludesamedialiaisonofficertorespondtorequestsfor interviews, photos andvision. Regional andlocalmediaarenotifiedof all plannedburns andinvitedtoattend,facilitatingcoverage.