FRANKSTON mayor Sandra Mayer has told residents concerned about local fire hazards that council’s bushfire prevention measures are “tried and tested”.
Council put out a press release last week in response to a “large volume of queries from residents, rightfully concerned about potential fire hazards in local reserves and other council-owned areas.” Cr Mayer said that “I applaud residents for taking the time to get in touch, and for the concern they are showing for their community’s safety during this difficult time. However, I want to reassure everyone, council has a tried and tested bushfire management and prevention system in place, which is constantly being reviewed and strengthened.”
“Residents have also voiced concerns about whether conservation efforts are hampering fire management strategies, such as controlled burn-offs,” she said. “I want to emphasise that council has maintained its previous bushfire management system and this has not changed.”
The release stated that council has undertaken property inspections, fuel reduction, emergency management planning, vegetation management, and tree maintenance as part of its seasonal bushfire preparation.
“We are also a sustainable council, dedicated to conservation and we at all times balance the need to preserve and grow our natural environment with the need to be safe during bushfire season,” Cr Mayer said.
“Our recent declaration of a climate emergency reflects this dedication and we are passionate about ensuring we preserve this amazing planet of ours for future generations to enjoy. This declaration will result in direct action by council to reduce the city’s greenhouse gas emissions, to prevent rising temperatures and extreme weather conditions, which can make bushfires more severe and harder to fight.”