By Callum Ludwig
The Victorian Government has recognised the ominous threat bushfire poses to the Upper Yarra through the latest round of its Bushfire Preparedness (Vegetation) Program (BPVP).
Every school in the Upper Yarra received funding to carry out fire-risk education works, with 332 government schools in the state sharing in the funding.
Millwarra Primary School’s Millgrove and East Warburton campuses received just over $46,000 between them and Principal Rod Barnard said they have been receiving funding under this program for a number of years.
“Most schools in this area have large properties, lots of trees and plenty of grass, this is different from city schools and each year there is a constant need for mowing, pruning trees and shrubs away from buildings, whipper snipping, gutter cleaning, tree removal, retaining wall replacement and maintenance, garden bed maintenance, debris clean up, equipment maintenance and running costs as well as maintenance on buildings where embers can gain access,” he said.
“Funding is also used to provide easy access to fire-safe buildings, the list goes on and we require contractors to come in and do many of these tasks and the funding is essential in being able to keep up with all of these tasks,”
“As our Warburton East Campus is also a Community Fire Refuge the requirements are even more demanding so we are very appreciative of this funding as it allows us to keep on top of these tasks.”
The program was introduced in 2018 to support schools that are on the Bushfire at Risk Register (BARR) to help reduce the risk to the school community, grounds and buildings.
Yarra Junction Primary School received just over $26,000 and Principal Lisa Rankin said they are allocating the BPVP funding towards having all gutters cleaned and tree works.
“Yarra Junction Primary is a BARR Category 3 school, this means that on a catastrophic fire danger rating for the central weather district our school is closed, and with consideration of where our school is located and where our students live in the Yarra Valley, it is vital that our students have an understanding of bushfire preparedness,” she said.
“This includes families understanding the needs of bushfire preparedness so that they can create a family bushfire plan and we have been supported by the Yarra Junction CFA through visits to our school assembly to help inform our students about bushfire and household fire safety, the connection between our school and the local CFA is a valued connection,”
“At Yarra Junction Primary School we review our Emergency Management Plan twice per year, February and August and furthermore we conduct evacuation drills to our shelter in place in term 1 and term 4 each year.”
The BPVP also provides a School Support Program where an accredited Bushfire Planning and Design consultant can visit a school twice a year to help with preparations and identify where risks can be reduced, as well as to help ensure schools complete a Vegetation Management Plan every 3 years.
Warburton Primary School received $23,648.37 and Principal Nathan Van der Monde said bushfire preparedness is a vital life skill for children and families who live in the Upper Yarra area.
“We use the requisite funding to take preventative action, clearing vegetation and shrubbery from near buildings and in the yard, mitigating risk in bushland areas by having dead grass and plants removed or slashed, recladding buildings in fire retardant exterior materials, making the grounds more accessible to Emergency Services and other related maintenance,” he said.
“The environment is both naturally beautiful and a high risk for bushfires, so by having a clear understanding of how to prepare and when to enact a bushfire plan, it keeps everyone safe.”
Upper Yarra Secondary College received $35,594.71, The Alpine School’s Don Valley campus received $22,532.21, Wesburn Primary School received $24,989.05, Gladysdale Primary School received $24,058.86, Don Valley Primary School received $21,804.96, Launching Place Primary School received $27,490.60, Hoddles Creek Primary School received $20,193,43, Woori Yallock Primary School received $27,102.52, Seville Primary School received $25,313.75, Wandin Yallock Primary School received $25,884.51 and Wandin North Primary School received $24,668.70.
“We know how devastating bushfires are and just how long-lasting their impacts can be, and that’s why we’re continuing to support schools to be as fire-ready as possible,” said Minister for Education Ben Carroll.
“These grants will help more than 330 schools at risk of fire clear vegetation – to protect their classrooms and facilities in the event of a bushfire.”
