Stewart McArthur (Corangamite, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I wish to draw to the attention of the House the very dangerous position we have in Victoria as highlighted in today’s Herald Sun: ‘Burn-off strategy criticised: fire menaces high country’. I am a member of the Nairn committee of this House and a member of the Stretton Group, and those two groups have been highly critical of the lack of fuel reduction burning in preparation for this year’s very difficult fire season, bearing in mind the drought. The report goes on to say:

More than 1000 firefighters tackled blazes ...

And that there are:

... 51 fires spread across bushland from Gippsland through to the King Valley.

…            …            …

... Doug Treasure accused the state government of putting Victoria’s High Country at risk.

“Almost all of the High Country now under threat had no fuel reduction burning done for 20 years and the fuel loads are extreme and tinder-dry because of the drought ... If northerly winds develop, the High Country will explode with a 100km fire front bearing down on Gippsland.”

Over the years, I have been very worried that we will have an Ash Wednesday fire in the Otways. I advised that that was a possibility in the Grampians and it happened last year. We face a huge fire risk in the forthcoming four months in Victoria; fuel reduction burning would have assisted. The Stretton Group have been advocating that position over the past four years. I am greatly concerned and hope that this fire does not take place. (Time expired)