The CFA has defended its proposal to carry out planned burns at Tyers and says the low intensity fires will have minimal impact on the environment and surrounding wildlife.
CFA District 27 vegetation management officer John Crane said he welcomed community feedback and encouraged people to understand the bushfire risk in places such as the Fitzgibbons Road Flora and Fauna Reserve.
It follows a story published in The Express on Thursday with Tyers resident Irene Proebsting who criticised the CFA and its proposed burns and said they could impact wildlife and native vegetation in the area.
“The CFA supports land managers of all types throughout Gippsland and indeed throughout Victoria to manage the risk of bushfires to the community,” Mr Crane said.
“That includes undertaking works to protect engaged or fire sensitive species such as the Strzelecki Gums.”
Ms Proebsting said a section of about 40 Strzelecki Gums along the Traralgon-Tyers Road – where planned burns were expected to be undertaken – could damage the nationally-protected trees.
However, Mr Crane said the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission outlined privately-managed vegetations, including roadside and council reserves, were identified as significant fire risks.
He said the low intensity burns would only address fire fuels in the environment and have minimal impact on the Strzelecki Gums.
“This type of burning also has a minimal impact on wildlife and in fact, the regeneration of the bush after the fire is of benefit to the wildlife,” Mr Crane said.
“Environmentally, there’s been instances where planned burning has had multiple benefits.
“We manage the risk through a number of different ways and planned burning is a very efficient and effective way of managing the risks in the community.”
He said the CFA, in conjunction with local land managers, had undertaken a broad consultative process to inform and educate locals of the planned burns.
“There’s been a significant amount of work done to engage with the community, including at places like Tyers,” Mr Crane said.
“In the last six months we’ve had a community meeting and two community fire bus stop events and residents have been invited to attend bushfire scenario events at Federation University.”
The CFA has reminded residents to have a bushfire survival plan, prepare their property to prevent fire and help minimise the fire risk in the community.
