Media Release

Wednesday, 30 May 2007

The first hearing on the impact of public land management practices on bushfires in Victoria will be held on Monday 4 June, the Chair of the Parliamentary Environment and Natural Resources Committee, the Hon John Pandazopoulos, MP announced today.

“Bushfire experts have reported worrying trends towards fire seasons starting earlier, lasting longer, burning hotter and including more extreme weather days,” the Hon John Pandazopoulos said.

“However improved land management may help reduce the frequency, scale and intensity of such bushfires”.

The Hon John Pandazopoulos said that as part of the Inquiry, the Committee will look into:

• prescribed burning on crown and freehold land;
• the impact of prescribed burns and bushfires on biodiversity, wildlife and other natural assets;
• the impact of climate change on bushfires and public land management;
• the effectiveness of maintaining permanent fire breaks and containment lines throughout public land areas;
• large water points on crown land to assist with bushfire aerial taskforce operations;
• the impact of land uses including timber harvesting and grazing on bushfires and the ability of agencies to respond; and
• the role of community and scientific knowledge in managing bushfire risk on public land.

Key stakeholders who have been invited to provide evidence at the Melbourne hearing include the Department of Sustainability and Environment, the Country Fire Authority and the Office of the Emergency Services Commissioner.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the hearing at the following venue:

Melbourne
Monday 4 June, 1pm to 4pm
K Room
Parliament House

The Committee has called for written submissions. Additional public hearings will be held across Victoria throughout the year, with the next hearing in Kinglake on 18 June. A schedule of public hearings can be viewed at http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/enrc/

A report on the Committee’s findings, including recommendations, is scheduled to be tabled in Parliament at the end of June 2008.

Media contact: Hon John Pandazopoulos for further comment Ph 0408 310 733
Caroline Williams for background Ph 03 9651 3530