The Tasmanian Government has opened the door for mechanical fuel reduction to tackle bushfires. In response to this season’s disastrous fires in Victoria and NSW, the Premier Peter Gutwein this week confirmed plans to introduce new legislation to make it easier for authorities to undertake bushfire mitigation measures such as fuel reduction burns, and announced the creation of two new “fuel reduction teams”. Source: Timberbiz
“It is clear that Tasmania is not immune from the same threats, so to keep Tasmanians safe we need to do more and we must be better prepared before next summer,” Mr Gutwein said in his first State of the State address to parliament.
He said the Government would introduce legislation in the coming months to make it easier to reduce fuel and mechanically clear vegetation for a fuel break once a bushfire hazard reduction plan had been issued.
The legislation would introduce a new streamlined process to enable fuel loads to be reduced while balancing environment and community concerns.
Mr Gutwein said the proposed legislation would make it easier for landholders to reduce fuel loads by allowing approvals to be granted in a shorter period when a bushfire hazard management plan is in place.
“It will also make landholders, both public and private, responsible for undertaking fuel reduction activities under a bushfire hazard management plan in order to keep the broader community safe,” he said.
The Government would also ensure it has more resources available this year – especially during the Autumn and Spring – to reduce fuel loads.
“We will create two new ‘fuel reduction’ teams, with 12 extra staff to reduce fuel loads across the State,” Mr Gutwein said.
“We will provide more resources to the Parks and Wildlife Service to ensure we have winch-insertion capability for remote area fire teams within Tasmania so we can insert specialist fire fighters and respond quickly when needed.’’
He said a new State Operations Centre will be established in a central location from which all emergency services could coordinate response to emergencies.
“We have already announced the creation of three new specialist Aboriginal ranger positions within Parks and the creation of a $100,000 pilot grant program to work with the Aboriginal community to draw on their expertise in fuel reduction and the maintenance of landscapes through cultural burning.
“These measures will help landholders and communities better prepare for the next fire season – making Tasmanian communities safer and more resilient in the face of a changing climate,’’ he said.
