The installation of air quality monitors in the Yarra Valley is expected to help with understanding the health impacts of planned burns in the region.
At a Yarra Ranges Council meeting on 24 March, councillors unanimously moved to write to Energy and Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio, requesting air quality monitors.
Yarra Ranges Mayor, Richard Higgins, said the letter followed a request from local General Practitioners (GPs), asking for the monitors to better understand the health impacts of planned burns near Warburton and Healesville.
The Environment Protection Agency has since installed monitors in the region.
“In Yarra Ranges, we are well above the state average for hospital admissions and deaths for vaccine-preventable pneumonia and influenza,” Cr Higgins said.
“Our community’s health and wellbeing is critically important, especially during the Covid-19 situation, and the last thing any of us would like to see is residents being hospitalised for illnesses that can be prevented.
“We know that planned burns are an essential part of forest fire management and reducing bushfire risk, but we requested that the State Government increase its communications about planned burns to the community so vulnerable community members can take appropriate action.
Cr Higgins said it was good to see a quick response towards the pressing need.
“When you have a combination of vulnerable residents and nearby planned burns in the heart of the Yarra Valley, relying on air quality data from Mooroolbark simply isn’t good enough,” he said.
“We’re very thankful that the State Government has acted quickly to install these monitors and know that they’ll be useful for community members and GPs alike.”
The Council motion also requested the State Government consider the use of Healesville Hospital for a Covid-19 testing centre, and the potential of reactivating the old Warburton Hospital for response to the virus if necessary.
