Council implements planned bushfire risk reduction strategies with first major hazard reduction burn
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Livingstone Shire Council is continuing to be proactive when it comes to bushfire mitigation, with a significant mitigation burn scheduled to commence this weekend.
Over the past 12 months, Council has been working with Queensland Fire and Emergency Services alongside local Rural Fire Brigades to prioritise hazard reduction burns and other mitigation measures on Council owned properties.
Local Disaster Management Group Chair, Mayor Bill Ludwig, said a planned burn to be conducted on a property at Tanby Road, Taroomball will be the first of a number of reduction burns to take place on Council-owned land.
“Extreme fire conditions and fire bans made starting the burn programme last year almost impossible, however Council will be hitting the ground running over coming months while favourable conditions last,” Mayor Ludwig said.
“Through discussions with QFES and local rural fire brigades, Council has a clear understanding of what’s required to conduct these mitigation burns and has identified a number of priority locations within the region where these burns will take place.
“Hazard reduction burns are undertaken to protect nearby properties and structures by burning ground fuels such as leaf litter and grass. These types of fires are generally 'cool' and are undertaken in appropriate weather conditions so that the fire burns slowly with small flames.
“Following on from last year’s devastating wildfires, it is vital that every Council takes the pro-active measures that Livingstone is putting in place to, where possible, reduce the impacts of potential future bushfires and the threat they pose to our urban and rural communities.”
Surrounding residents are encouraged to follow the advice of health authorities if affected by smoke in the area. Please visit: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/staying-healthy/environmental/after-a-disaster/bushfires/bushfire-smoke-and-your-health
The planned burn programme will be undertaken dependent upon weather. Properties adjoining the planned burn locations will be written to prior to the burn.
This planned burn receives State funding from the Queensland Disaster Resilience Fund (QDRF) via the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, an organisation which supports projects to strengthen the resilience of Queensland communities and help them better prepare for disasters.