By KATH GANNAWAY
A WARBURTON woman is urging Upper Yarra residents to have a say on planned burning targets.
The issue was one of many raised at a bushfire information meeting in Warburton last week.
Peter West from the Department of Environment, Land and Water Protection and Justin Leonard from CSIRO, were among the speakers who addressed the topical issue of planned burns, leading to discussion about the competing sciences, and the impact of planned burns in and around Warburton and across Central Highlands.
Responding to a statement by Kellie Gee about the value, and the extent of planned burns, Mr West said a review was currently being undertaken by the Inspector-General for Emergency Management which would look at reviewing performance targets for the future bushfire fuel management program on public land.
The review was announced in February this year by the Minister for Enviornment, Climate Change and Water, Lisa Neville.
She said while the review would not affect the department’s 2014-’15 program, it would begin a process to develop an evidence-based approach to reducing the risk of fire and protecting lives, communities and the environment.
Minister for Emergency Services, Jane Garrett, also cited a ‘best evidence-based approach’ as part of the review.
Ms Gee said she would be making a submission, and encouraged others to put in a submission.
“In making a submission I would be hoping it would make a difference to the targets and that less public land would be burnt as a result, she said.
