FOREST Fire Management Victoria says the agency has met targets for burning off potential bushfire fuel in the Grampians region, despite delays from bad weather.
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The agency’s latest report detailed the amount of fuel reduction in the Grampians and across Victoria.
The agency spent almost $17.8 million on planned burns in the Grampians region.
This included more than $9 million on fuel reduction and management.
The agency spent more than $8.7 million on non-fuel-management activities such as fire and emergency response, recovery, prevention and preparedness activities.
The report showed the Grampians had the second-lowest overall budget compared with other regions.
The agency spent the most money in Gippsland – at more than $48.4 million.
The agency hoped to reduce the residual fire risk across south-west Victoria.
This regional focus included the area from Ballarat to the South Australian border and from Portland to St Arnaud.
With ongoing fuel reduction, the agency plans to have the south-west’s residential risk down to its lowest level in more than 30 years by 2020.
The agency’s chief fire officer Stephanie Rotarangi stated in the report that Victoria was one of the most fire-prone areas in the world.
“The 2016-17 planned burning season saw poor weather conditions that prevented planned burning on many occasions,” Ms Rotarangi said.
“Despite this, residual risk was estimated at 63 per cent, which met the Victorian Government's policy of maintaining residual risk at or below 70 per cent.”
The agency said it had consulted with the Western Border Stakeholder Reference Group and Aboriginal groups ahead of the planned burns.
Residual risk was estimated at 63 per cent, which met the Victorian Government's policy of maintaining residual risk at or below 70 per cent.
- Stephanie Rotarangi