dandenong ranges bushfire planning

Last week I attended the launch of the Dandenong Ranges Landscape Bushfire Plan up at Sky High on Mt Dandenong.

The Plan, the first of its kind will look at issues, both short and long term, identify priorities and gaps in current fire management plans.

The Dandenong Ranges is complex in terms of fire risk and management, given the population, landscape and mix of private and public land.

The Plan will review a range of issues including:

~ public and private land management

~ demographics and population

~ community planning and preparation

~ understanding fire behaviour

It's a wholistic approach, the likes of which haven't been seen before in fire management planning. In the past we've seen piecemeal efforts that haven't looked more broadly across the full range of issues when it comes to fire preparedness and management. The Plan will be evidence based and enable informed decision making by both agencies and communities in the event of a bushfire in the region.

The Plan is being led by the Fire Services Commissioner in conjuction with agencies, the community and local government.

It's great to see, it's a step in the right direction and I look forward to seeing it delivered for the Dandenong Ranges community sooner rather than later.