All prescribed burns scheduled for the Macedon Ranges this spring will be reviewed after a 2700-hectare blaze near Lancefield that put hundreds of houses in the firing line.
The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) made the promise on Friday in response to community outrage over the planned burn in the Cobaw Ranges, which jumped containment lines on grand final day and again last Tuesday.
As reported by Star Weekly, furious residents have called for ‘‘heads to roll’’ at DELWP.
Lancefield agronomist James Almond was one of many people who demanded to know why department secretary Adam Fennessy and Environment Minister Lisa Neville had yet to front a public meeting and apologise.
‘‘If I don’t liaise with my clients, I get sacked,’’ Mr Almond, who has lost at least 5km of fencing, said.
”We need explanations.”
Criticising the department’s communications process before the September 30 burn, Mr Almond also slammed DELWP for previously saying conditions were suitable.
‘‘It wasn’t appropriate to light a fire in El Nino conditions,’’ he said.
‘‘All my clients are cutting crops because they’ve got no soil moisture and then the department lights a fire? We’ve known about this for six months!’’
The state government has commissioned a full investigation into the escaped burn, which has destroyed at least four houses.
A DELWP spokesman said Mr Fennessy and Ms Neville were expected to visit Lancefield on Monday.
