Fuel Reduction Bumper Sticker Launch - --- A Drive to Save Lives

NO FUEL – NO FIRE ALLIANCE

Fuel Reduction Bumper Sticker Launch - A Drive to Save Lives

Today a new group called the No Fuel - No Fire Alliance combined forces with State MPs and a Councillor from the Mt Alexander Shire to launch a bumper sticker campaign aimed at reducing the effects of severe bushfires.

Branded with the slogan “No Fuel – No Fires, Fuel Reduction Saves Lives”, the stickers are the concept of Rita Bentley who has spent 20 years lobbying both state and local government for a more balanced approach to land management that recognises that green values must not be prioritised ahead of human safety.

“Public land management policy has been hijacked by the green movement to the extent that fallen timber is not being removed because it is regarded as habitat for critters. Policy-makers refuse to listen to those with generations of experience in forest management. Instead they adopt computer modelled imported policy from places that simply do not have the intense fire risk that we live with”, Mrs Bentley said.

State Liberal Members Christine Fyffe and colleague Gary Blackwood have joined the fight with Independent MP Craig Ingram and Paul Weller of the Nationals to help put the focus back on saving lives.

“As a member of the all party Environment and Natural Resources Committee (ENRC), I saw and heard evidence during our 2008 investigation into the Impact of Public Land Management Practices on Bushfires. The evidence proved without a shred of doubt that fuel reduction burns must be increased. Bushfires are regarded as inevitable in our parched landscape. However, their size and intensity are variables that we have a capacity to influence through a more aggressive schedule of prescribed burning,” Mrs Fyffe said.

Former arborist in the forestry industry Scott Gentle made a submission to the 2008 ENRC Bushfire Inquiry foreshadowing the events of Black Saturday in which he stated, “Living in an area like Healesville, whether because of dumb luck or whatever, we have not experienced a fire since about 1963. God help us if we ever do, because it will make Ash Wednesday look like a picnic", Mr Gentle said.

Nationals MP Paul Weller commented, “If we are to take one lesson from the recent bushfire disaster, it is that unless fuel loads are maintained at safe levels, then we will have unsafe forests and the potential for more terrifying infernos”.

Liberal Member for Narracan Gary Blackwood highlighted the threat posed by overgrown roadside verges.

“Fuel reduction burning is a fire management tool that must be used at every opportunity. In many areas on Black Saturday roadside verges burnt extremely hot because of the exceptionally high build up of fuel over many years adding enormously to the intensity of the wildfire. These areas must be treated as a potential threat to life and property in a wildfire event and have their fuel load systematically reduced”, Mr Blackwood said.

Independent Member for Gippsland Craig Ingram pointed to the benefits of fuel reduction for our ecosystems.

“I have advocated for many years for major change in the way our public lands are managed, particularly for major increases in ecological and fuel reduction burning as an essential tool to improve the health of our native forests and reduce the fire risk on communities living in and around forest areas”, Mr Ingram said.

Bushfire survivor David Barton shared his observations of the problems with native trees in particular.

“Properties covered with trees, especially native trees, burn fiercely. Virtually every building surrounded by native bushland has been incinerated. Its just common sense really. Reduced fuel loads mean reduced fire risk. No fuel means no fire! Mr Barton said.

Mrs Bentley agreed, “The message No Fuel No Fire – Fuel Reduction Saves Lives is clear. We know we can’t remove the danger altogether but we can make it a damn sight safer”, Mrs Bentley said.

Media: Ruth Barendse – 9735 3208

Ring Ruth if you want a sticker.