No. 63

CONTROLLING BUSHFIRE HAZARDS

The Stanhope Government has announced further funding to protect life, property and the environment in the ACT from the risk of bushfire.

Minister for the Territory and Municipal Services John Hargreaves said the 2006-07 Budget contains an investment of nearly $5.3 million over the next four years to continue the Stanhope Government’s bushfire reduction program and almost $4 million over the next four years to upgrade and develop new fire trails.

“This initiative provides the necessary funds to ensure the completion of the bushfire fuel reduction works required by the Department of Territory and Municipal Services’ Bushfire Operation Plan,” Mr Hargreaves said.

“These funds will enable the reduction of any build up in potentially dangerous grassland and forest fire fuel loads on Canberra’s urban edge, through the use of mowing, slashing, controlled burning and physical removal of fire hazards.

“The works undertaken in this program will complement the already extensive mowing program across Canberra’s open space areas and provides a comprehensive response to bushfire fuel loads.”

Mr Hargreaves said funding of over $4 million was also being provided for the upgrade and development of new bushfire trails.

“In addition to this funding aimed at managing bushfire hazards, the budget has committed $3.9m over the next four years to upgrade 55 kilometres, and develop an extra 44 kilometres, of fire trails across the ACT,” he said.

“These improvements to the fire trail network across the ACT and continuation of the bushfire fuel reduction program will further improve the Government’s capacity to protect life, property and the environment from the risk of bushfire.”

Mr Hargreaves said the works will be coordinated by the Department of Territory and Municipal Services and Emergency Services.