On Wednesday 25 May DELWP, Parks Victoria, CFA and the East Gippsland Shire met with the local community to review fuel and bushfire risk management on Raymond Island. This meeting followed on from last year's community consultation, and with the four agencies present it was a good opportunity to provide clarification about the three-year Fire Operations Plan (developed with input from the local community) and to consider what the next 10 years may look like in terms of fuel management on the Island's public land.
The three year plan was well received, and the findings from the feedback sheet that was circulated, which 16 of the 22 attendees filled out, showed that 100% of respondents had a measure of satisfaction with the plan.
At the meeting, there was also a focus on how private property owners could manage their own backyards, and how we could all work together for the best possible outcomes for the Island. Parks Victoria, DELWP and other agencies will return to the Island in spring to talk about the plan again and what fuel management works will be happening on the Island over next spring and autumn.
The full notes and survey results are online at: http://www.raymondisland.net/Emergencies/Bushfires.html
Catherine Burton
Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning
