Residents affected by the planned burn-off near Lancefield that broke containment lines, destroying four houses, 25 sheds, vehicles and thousands of kilometres of fencing, have been urged to trust the investigation process.
Hundreds of copies of a survey are being distributed locally as Lancefield Neighbourhood House co-ordinator Vivienne Philpotts, who will represent the community as part of the independent probe, seeks to gather as much feedback as possible.
Ms Philpotts rejected suggestions she would be told what to think or that community participation would be limited in any way.
‘‘The only people I’m answerable to are my committee of management volunteers,’’ Ms Philpotts said, adding that the survey would be available ‘‘in every space we can think of’’.
‘‘Making sure people get the chance to say what they think is the most important thing.’’
The Cobaw Ranges’ fire, which began as a burn organised by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning on September 30, ravaged more than 3000 hectares before being controlled early last week.
As reported by Star Weekly online, Environment Minister Lisa Neville last week admitted that planning for prescribed burns had to be improved.
Fronting a community meeting in Lancefield six days after the burn broke containment lines for a second time, Ms Neville said the inquiry would lead to real changes.
‘‘We need to get better,’’ she said. ‘
‘There’s a long way to go. I’m not saying we have a perfect system. We don’t, and this is an example.’’
Responding to concerns about planned burning, forest thinning and firewood removal, Ms Neville said a soon-to-be-released report from a separate investigation would help refine and improve planned burn practices.
She rejected suggestions the Lancefield inquiry would whitewash the issue and said community input would be critical to improvements being made. Ms Neville said planned burns would remain part of the government’s bushfire risk management.
‘‘We’ve got to be more sophisticated about it. We have to learn.’’
One resident, whose house was among those razed, called for the release of vegetation assessments, risk assessments and details of what resources were allocated and the response once the fire escaped.
Communications problems
Others complained of communications problems, with mobile and internet blackspots in the Benloch area leading to gaps in the flow of information.
Vowing to work with Macedon Ranges council and the federal government, which recently knocked back requests for blackspot funding at Lancefield, Ms Neville said it was clear ‘‘that we need to have Telstra in the room’’.
Support for people affected by the fire, including counselling, streamlined planning services and help with trees or water tanks, is available through the council. Emergency relief is also available via the federal government.
More details: www.disasterassist.gov.au
