Media Release
COALITION COMMITS $20,000 TO FIRE MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR WOMBALANO PARK
Wednesday 10th November 2010
COALITION COMMITS $20,000 TO FIRE MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR WOMBALANO PARK
A Coalition Government will invest $20,000 to develop a fire management plan for Wombalano Park in Ringwood East, Kilsyth MP David Hodgett and Shadow Minister for Bushfire Response Peter Ryan announced today.
“In the wake of the Black Saturday bushfires, many local residents contacted me with concerns that overgrowth in Wombalano Park was an unnecessary fire risk,” Mr Hodgett said.
Mr Hodgett said the fire management strategy would give peace of mind to local residents, especially those living next to the park.
“Local residents enjoy the ambience of a bushland environment with native trees, fauna and birdlife. However this needs to be balanced with a fire management plan to reduce the risk in the summer months, when many of the residents become anxious about the increased risk,” Mr Hodgett said.
The strategy would look at initiatives such as assessment of the undergrowth, increased removal of debris and maintenance of the park’s borders, adjacent to nearby homes.
“The park has burnt out before, and this funding will reduce the risk of fire and give certainty to the residents who live adjacent to the area,” Mr Hodgett said.
“This has been a major issue for local residents, especially over the last couple of years,” Mr Hodgett said. “I am delighted to be able to commit to resolving this issue.”
“A Baillieu Coalition Government is committed to taking proactive measures to reduce fire risk,” Mr Ryan said.
Mr Ryan said the Coalition had committed to implementing all of the Bushfire Royal Commission recommendations to better safeguard the community.
Media contact: David Hodgett: 9725 3570 or 0418 373 622
