Keeping Tasmanians safe is a top priority for the Tasmanian State Government and having a well-managed and effective fuel reduction program is part of this strategy as the State heads into a predicted warmer summer. Source: Timberbiz
Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, Felix Ellis said that the recent fires that impacted Friendly Beaches, Coles Bay and surrounds highlights the need for our pro-active Spring Fuel Reduction Program.
“To contain this fire, Sustainable Timber Tasmania (STT), Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) and the Tasmania Fire Service (TFS) supported by heavy machinery and aircraft, completed backburning on nearly 2000 hectares,” Mr Ellis said.
“Further, over the weekend Fuel Reduction Program Agencies (STT, PWS and TFS) took advantage of good conditions and completed burns covering an estimated 17,000 hectares state-wide.
“These 17,000 hectares comprised eight fuel reduction burns – 1 by the TFS at Zeehan, 3 by the PWS in the TWWHA at Erskine Range, Koruna Park and Ray Range, and 4 by STT in the Derwent Valley and Huon Valley.
“This is a fantastic achievement and work is continuing with lighter winds and favourable conditions giving us a chance to complete burns to help make our communities safer,” he said.
“We know Tasmania is one of the most bushfire prone places in the world and the fire at Friendly Beaches was a stark reminder how quickly a bushfire can move in windy, dry and warm conditions.
“Fortunately, there was only limited property damage and our fire teams are taking the opportunity to secure this fire with a series of strategic backburns and fire breaks that will further protect the greater Freycinet Peninsula region for years to come.
“Fuel reduction will not prevent bushfires from occurring, but they can reduce potential damage and make it easier and safer for firefighters to control fires.”
Since the Fuel Reduction Program began in 2014, more than 1300 burns have been completed across Tasmania, reducing fire risk across more than 200,000 hectares. For spring 2023, plans are in place for more than 40 burns covering more than 3300 hectares, conditions permitting.
The Tasmanian Government has invested over $115 million into fuel reduction initiatives, including $3.1 million for Red Hot Tips program that helps to educate landowners on how to prepare their properties for bushfire.
The most accurate and up-to-date information on bushfires, floods and natural disasters can be found at www.TasALERT.com.au
Meanwhile the Tasmania Fire Service and State Emergency Service will tomorrow officially transition to the Tasmanian Government Radio Network (TasGRN), significantly increasing radio communication reach across the State.
Mr Ellis said TasGRN will provide coverage in areas we have never had before, better voice clarity and, importantly, improvement to the safety of our firefighters and SES responders with duress functionality and GPS location for each radio.
“TasGRN is the most extensive upgrade to multi-agency emergency radio communications in Tasmania’s history and represents a $763 million investment by the Rockliff Liberal Government and partner agencies,” Mr Ellis said.
“TasGRN has been purpose-built for the needs of Tasmania, and brings TFS, SES, police, paramedics and Parks and Wildlife Service personnel on to a single, integrated radio network alongside Sustainable Timber Tasmania, TasNetworks and Hydro Tasmania.
“Tasmania is one of the first jurisdictions in the world to have all emergency services operating on a single, secure radio network.
“TasGRN is also integrated into other Tasmanian mission critical emergency service systems, taking full advantage of the new technology.”
Mr Ellis said that recent events both here in Tasmania and other jurisdictions have shown us how important it is to have reliable and secure communications to respond to bushfires, storm events natural disasters, and other emergencies.
