Milder weather aids burn-offs

AUTUMN fuel reduction burns, including bushland around Maroondah Reservoir, have been completed as part of the Department of Sustainability and Environment’s 2006-07 fuel reduction program.
Deputy Premier John Thwaites praised hard-working fire-fighters as he reported that mild conditions in April had resulted in 100,000 hectares of fuel reduction burns being carried out.
The April burns take the total area treated this year to more than 118,000 hectares, or 90 per cent of the 130,000 state-wide target.
Planning has started for the spring fuel-reduction program. Mr Thwaites said planning was also well advanced and some work was underway on a three-year project to construct 600 kilometres of permanent fire breaks to protect Melbourne’s water catchments.