19 September 2014

Open letter regarding ’s approach to fire risk management.

It’s time for change.

BirdLife has written to the following Victorian politicians calling for a more strategic approach to fire risk management in Victoria. The Hon. Ryan Smith, Minister for Environment & Climate Change The Hon. , Shadow Minister for Environment & Climate Change The Hon. , Minister for Bushfire Response The Hon. , Shadow Minister for Bushfire Response The Hon. , Premier The Hon. , Leader of the

Dear Sir or Madam

BirdLife Australia is the country’s largest and oldest organisation devoted to the conservation of Australia’s birds and their habitat. We are a not-for-profit, community-based organisation with over 65,000 supporters and a single aim: creating a bright future for Australia’s birds. BirdLife Australia is deeply concerned that Victoria’s hectare-based, planned burning policy will lead to the global extinction of endangered species, such as the Mallee Emu-wren and South-eastern Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo. Frustratingly, the burns that are doing so much damage are not reducing the bushfire risk to lives and property. It’s a no-win situation. This is a key issue for many of BirdLife Australia’s 3500+ Victorian members; a large proportion of our supporters live and work in rural communities. Over the last five years, we have received hundreds of enquiries, comments and calls for help from birders, landholders and other members of the public. – people distraught at the environmental damage being caused by this ill-conceived policy. It is clear to us that this is an issue of concern to all communities; urban, peri- urban and rural alike. We strongly support the recommendation of the Victorian Bushfire Royal Commission Implementation Monitor, Mr. Neil Comrie, that the Victorian Government reconsiders its area-based planned burning program and replaces it with a more strategic risk-based approach to bushfire management on public land. Strategic, risk-based fire management would see planned burning targeted at high bushfire risk areas, close to communities and important infrastructure, where we know it will reduce risk to life and property. Planned burning would also be used to protect important biodiversity assets such as habitat for threatened species.

We urge you and your party to support the shift from a five percent target-based policy towards the strategic risk-based fire management approach being developed by the Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI). This is based on the best available science, supported by sophisticated modelling of bushfire behaviour. A strategic, risk-based approach is more efficient, cost-effective and cheaper than the current program. It would establish Victoria as the world leader in bushfire risk management. A win-win situation. By removing the target millstone, Victoria will be able to focus planned burning in areas where it will be most effective in protecting the community. This will save lives. Planned burning plays a vital role in reducing bushfire risk and it is essential that Victoria has a well-resourced fire management program. However planned burning must be used strategically alongside other measures such as the construction of fire shelters, improved building design and restrictions on building in areas of high bushfire risk. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this with you further.

Paul Sullivan CEO