Mond

Monday, 19 June 2006

GOVERNMENT UNDER RESOURCING CAUSES DSE FUEL REDUCTION BURN FAILURE

DSE blaming the weather for failure to meet its fuel reduction targets is not acceptable according to Bill Sykes, Nationals Member for Benalla.

These comments follow the revelation that the DSE managed to burn only 49,000 hectares or 38% of its target of 130,000 hectares of fuel reduction burning of public lands this year.

Dr Sykes said, “The Bracks Government needs to learn what private landholders already know; that is, you cannot assume favourable weather conditions when planning land management activities. You have to have a contingency plan for unfavourable conditions.

“The Nationals have been telling the Bracks Government for years that the Government has to actively manage public land and six million hectares of land requires massive resourcing for fuel reduction burning and pest animal and weed management.

Dr Sykes continued, “In addition to a review of operational procedures relating to fuel reduction burns, the Bracks Government must look at its basic resourcing of public land management.”

“I am in no way critical of regional management and front line staff – they have to work within the policy and resource constraints set by Government”.

Dr Sykes concluded, “I call on the Bracks Government to make public the findings of the operational review of fuel reduction burns, to substantially increase resources for public land management and in the meantime, not acquire any more public land until current public land is properly managed”.

Media contact: Bill Sykes (03) 5762 2100 or 0427 624 989