Rural Fire Volunteers Rebel Over Cattle Evictions

EXCLUSIVE REPORT:

This is a copy of a letter to be sent to DSE Benalla, Region 22 Headquarters, local members of Parliament. It was sourced from Bundarrah Days Blog

To Whom It May Concern:

We, the volunteer members of the Picola Rural Fire Brigade, have serious concerns in regards to the future management of the Barmah Forest, should the cattle be removed in the future.

Our concerns are as stated:

Lack of management of the undergrowth and fuel loading due to removal of cattle
Lack of consultation with local fire brigade members
Lack of access tracks and bridges
Future maintenance of these tracks and bridges
Reference areas

In regards to the management of the undergrowth and fuel loading should the cattle be removed, the Parks past history, for example the high country, shows us that they do not have a workable plan in action to reduce large fire risks.

Generally, the local volunteer CFA members are first called to incidents in the forest, however, our input into safety and time is not taken into consideration. As locals, our knowledge is invaluable in relation to this issue.

We feel that the tracks are not being maintained adequately to allow fire trucks safe access to and from incidences as CFA policy states that for safety purposes, we need at least two escape routes.

Bridges also are a concern in that they are not being replaced or maintained quickly enough to provide safe access for not only the fire trucks but also the safe exit of campers and tourists. The Bendy Bridge at Hut Lake has not been replaced; Top Island has only two other access points. Also the bridge at Tarmah has been out of action for many years, McDonalds Bridge over smiths creek is in dire need of replacement. This is just to name a few.

At a recent fire where a Reference area was involved, Parks Victoria would not allow DSE to put an access track/fire break in high ground as this was in the reference area, hence sending the trucks through low wet ground causing a truck to become bogged. The CFA need to have unrestricted access to all areas should they be expected to put their lives on the line and fight fires in the bush.

Our members have voiced their concerns that if the cattle are removed from the forest and fuel loadings increase, we will seriously consider not going out there due to increased risks to our safety and accessibility.

We hope these concerns are given high priority when decisions on the forest are made in the future.

Picola Rural Fire Brigade
Secretary Jack Corry