Environment groups supportive of final bushfire report
Saturday, 31 July 2010
Media release
Environment groups have welcomed the final report of the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission, saying they understand why it has recommended a statewide target of five per cent for fuel reduction burning to achieve the number one goal of protecting human lives.
"In recommending this target, we welcome the emphasis the Royal Commission has placed on the urgent need to gather further data, undertake greater research and monitoring and establish a commonwealth centre for bushfire research," spokesman for the Victorian National Parks Association Philip Ingamells said.
"These measures will help ensure that future fuel reduction management is scientifically based and that the State Government, its agencies and the community are well informed about its impacts.
"A five per cent burning target will have negative impacts on native plants and animals. A lot of thought and effort will be needed from our land managers to make sure we minimise those impacts," Mr Ingamells said.
"It should be noted that the expert panel that advised the Commission on fuel management issues could only confidently support a fuel reduction target of 5 per cent for foothill forests, rather than all public land.
"There are over 300 different habitat types in Victoria, and they all require fire at different times and different frequencies, both to minimise fuel loads and maintain biodiversity."
The Wilderness Society's Victorian campaigns manager Gavan McFadzean said environment groups are willing to work with the government, land managers and communities to ensure that where increased burning is necessary, it is done in a way that is scientifically based, targeted and effective, and minimises the impacts on nature and wildlife.
"The Commission has recognised we have an enormous amount of work to do to understand the behaviour and impact of fire in Victoria's diverse landscapes so that we can get the fuel reduction program right for people, property and wildlife," said Mr McFadzean.
"There is a lot of work still to be done, but we are cautiously optimistic that Victoria can work through the many detailed issues and come to solutions that will help protect people and nature," he said.
The Commission has also recommended the careful development of improved planning prescriptions, and improved guidelines for roadside clearing.
"Importantly, the Commission has accepted the evidence from CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology that the risk of firestorms will grow as a result of climate change. This adds even more weight to the urgent need to cut pollution and protect our forests as water catchments and carbon stores," said the Australian Conservation Foundation's Lindsay Hesketh.
For comment please contact:
- Phil Ingamells, VNPA - 0427 705 133.
- Gavan McFadzean, TWS - 0414 754 023.
- Lindsay Hesketh, ACF - 0418 655 551.
- Media assistance: Louise Matthiesson - 0417 017 844.
2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission More on bushfire issues