Farmers say state government must pull its weight in managing bushfire risk

Tasmanian farmers say bushfires continue to be a cause for major concern in Tasmania, and that they expect the state government to pull its weight in addressing this issue. The state government is now responsible for 54% of the state’s land area; and this brings with it the dual responsibilities of regulator and landowner.

Commenting on reported concerns that the government was sidestepping the 60,000 ha target, Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association chief executive Jan Davis said today that is always good to have a target to aim for.

“However, the rate of fuel reduction burns is only one part of an efficiency equation. As important – if not more so – are the areas in which hazard reduction burns take place,” she said.

Ms Davis said she had been advised that hazard reduction burns had taken pace across 14,500 ha this spring, under the guidance of 10 fire management advisory committees across the state. They had identified the high priority risks in their area and were managing them accordingly.

“That’s more than half of the 27,000 ha target for this year – and we expect in the autumn season to meet the balance of the target,” she said.

Ms Davis said farmers had been been working closely with the Tasmanian Fire Service on improving awareness of risk in rural areas and had just produced a brochure on the subject.

“Farmers have strong commitment to ensure that fire risks are managed – on their own land and across public land also.

“The most important development is the co-operation between the TFS, volunteer brigades and private land owners to develop hazard reduction plans that are tenure-blind. This will improve outcomes on the ground.”

“We have also welcomed the government’s decision to simplify the permit application processes for landowners. In future, landowners will no longer have to prove that a burn will not have an environmental impact before obtaining approval to undertake hazed reduction activities on their land,” Ms Davis said.

“At this stage, we are pleased at the progress being made with targeted hazard reduction burns. However, there is much yet to be done in ensuring the state government steps up to the plate and meets its responsibilities as a landowner. We will be working with them to ensure delivery of their commitments into the future.”
TFGA chief executive Jan Davis