February 3rd 2010
VICTORIAN LANDS ALLIANCE
Media Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
New report backs fuel reduction action
A new report released today by the Victorian Lands Alliance [VLA] strongly supports the case for
increased fuel reduction burning to help control bushfires.
The highly referenced report draws on research
and 27 case studies
of the Department of
Sustainability
and Environment, CSIRO and the W.A Department of Conservation and Land
Management, to show that reducing forest fuel will help control bushfires, thereby minimising risk
to communities.
Releasing the report today, VLA secretary Max Rheese said “This report challenges the
misconception there is little research
that demonstrates
prescribed fuel reduction burning is an
effective bushfire management tool. The report provides compelling evidence that fuel reduction
burning is critically important in containing bushfires.”
“Many people in the community are unaware of the extensive research supporting more low
intensity cool burning to help protect the environment and communities. This report shows flora
and fauna recover quickly from low intensity burning compared with extensive damage suffered
from inevitable, uncontrollable bushfires” said Mr Rheese.
While the report deals solely with the issue of prescribed burning,
the VLA is also urging
government to consider controlled grazing, thinning operations and timber harvesting as
additional tools to help public land managers in mitigating bushfires.
Every inquiry into bushfires since the 1939 Stretton royal commission has
found inadequate
forest fuel reduction had contributed to fire disasters. The Brumby government’s own 2008
parliamentary inquiry into bushfires recommended prescribed burning be increased from the
current target of 130,000 hectares to 385,000 hectares per year, but this has ‘in-principle
support’ only from the government.
“In three separate years between 1974 and 1984 forest managers achieved prescribed burn
targets of 345,000, 370,000 and 477,000 hectares,
so there is no logistical reason we cannot
resume this level of protection for our environment” concluded Mr Rheese.
The report has been submitted to the Bushfires royal commission ahead of their February 15th
hearings on fuel reduction issues.
–
ENDS –
Contact: Max Rheese 0428 621320
Effectiveness of fuel reduction burning on mitigating bushfires
The Victorian Lands Alliance is a coalition of member based recreational and commercial users
of public land representing over 40,000 Victorians. The primary objective of the Alliance is to
initiate public policy which is consistent with the ideals of its member organisations to improve the
management of public land.
NEWS 
