There was a significant public backlash in the media in Victoria (and other states) in Australia after the “Black Saturday” bushfires of February 2009 against what some perceived to be restrictions on clearing native vegetation in areas at risk of wildfire. It was reported in the national media that a significant number of people believed that the native vegetation policies under the Victorian Planning Scheme provisions had increased the risk to people’s safety, particularly in the Wildland/Urban Interface communities.
Not quite this big! (Image Courtesy of Wikipedia)
The (typically historic) subdivision of land for dwellings in the interface between the bush/forest and these increasingly urban areas places people and their homes at a significant risk from the increasing wildfire danger associated with drought, climate change and other factors. Some have called for large fire breaks to be made around towns and villages whilst others, including the fire services, have called for increased clearing around houses to ensure they are defendable. So what is the answer? (more…)