Tony Pearce
Victoria’s Inspector General for Emergency Management Tony Pearce has recognised the Victorian timber industry’s vital role in bushfire management in his Inquiry Into the 2019-20 Victorian Bushfire Season report. Source: Timberbiz
And he has warned that the plan to shut down the industry will compromise the state’s bushfire response capacity.
“The timber industry provides an important support capacity to fire management in Victorian forests with a skill set, knowledge base and operational experience in forest landscapes,” Mr Pearce said in his report.
“The cessation of native forest harvesting by 2030 poses challenges for the fuel management program and bushfire response capacity across the state.”
Victorian Hardwood Sawmillers Association spokesman Leonard Fenning said the Andrews Government cannot keep ignoring the facts.
“It is not the first time the important role the timber industry plays in fire prevention and protection has been pointed out, and the Government should heed the advice,” Mr Fenning said.
“Daniel Andrews has no plan to replace the vital bushfire suppression and mitigation role that forestry contractors currently provide, and this should be of concern to all Victorians, especially those who live in bushfire-prone areas,” Mr Fenning said.
