NEWS DESK
Rain didn’t ease summer fire risk Stephen Taylor steve@baysidenews.com.au FIRE danger periods for the Mornington Peninsula, Frankston and Kingston CFA districts will begin 1am, Monday 19 December. During this time fires cannot be lit in the open air without a written permit from CFA or a municipal fire prevention officer. Fire danger periods are based on local conditions and take into account fuel moisture, fuel loads, grassland curing, weather and rainfall. CFA District 8 operations manager Mark Kennedy said forecasts showed potential for an above average fire season, despite recent heavy rain and flooding in many parts of the state. “The rainfall we experienced in spring has produced a lot of growth which could very easily become a high fuel load throughout the summer season if not properly managed,” he said. “Reducing fuel loads will ensure that if a fire does break out, it has less chance of taking hold or spreading. “While CFA does everything it can, we look to members of the community to use common sense and take responsibility for preventing fires.” Mr Kennedy said there was still a “short window of opportunity” for owners to clean up their properties. “Out of control burn-offs and unregistered burn-offs have been a major headache for brigades,” he said. “You should avoid burning off when high winds are forecast – not only on the day you burn but for the days afterwards.” Councils will be able to provide more specific
burn-off restrictions, he said. CFA acting assistant chief officer Bryan Russell said this fire season CFA would be taking a zerotolerance approach to any fires resulting from negligent behaviour. “Expect any fire you start to be fully investigated by police,” he said. “Even if you have a permit to use fire over the fire danger period, make sure you read the conditions carefully. Failing to follow just one of those conditions may leave you open to prosecution.” “Can I or Can’t I?” information is available at cfa.vic.gov.au or by calling 1800 226 226. All burn-offs should be registered on the VicFire Burn-off notification line, 1800 668 511. A written permit is required to burn off grass, undergrowth, weeds or other vegetation during the fire danger period. Permits may be issued by the municipal fire prevention officer or the CFA district office. Lighting a fire in the open without a permit is an offence and can incur a penalty of $21,600 and/ or 12 months jail. Barbecues and fires for cooking or warmth do not require a permit, but must be lit in properly constructed fireplaces (visit cfa. vic.gov.au) Using an incinerator, chainsaw, lawn mower, welding or grinding equipment, or driving vehicles coming into contact with vegetation and machinery, are permitted. Property owners can find legal guidelines and practical advice at cfa.vic.gov.au. A total fire ban means no fires can be lit that day unless with a specific exemption or special permit. This applies irrespective of the fire restriction status for a given municipality. Further details at cfa.vic.gov.au
Council complaint over tree vandal
Picture: Gary Sissons Grisly find: Above, SES search bushland beside the Frankston Freeway. A man has been charged with the murder of Karen Rae.
Murder charge after body find MISSING Person Squad detectives have charged a 49-year-old man regarding the disappearance of Karen Rae. Ms Rae, 48, was last seen leaving her Adib Court home in Frankston North at about 7pm on 15 April, 2015. Last Friday (9 December), a search of the roadside along the Frankston Freeway was commenced by SES under the direction of police. Human remains, that were yet to be identified at time of publication, were located in bushland beside the freeway in Frankston North on Saturday 10 December. The Langwarrin man has been charged with one count of murder and has been remanded to appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday 16 December.
A SUSPECTED tree vandal who caused $22,000 damage to parkland trees in Heatherton was arrested just days after Kingston Council voted to complain to police about delays in apprehending him. The 21-year-old Heatherton man was charged with criminal damage, theft of a motor car and possession of a weapon and bailed at Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court, Thursday 1 December to reappear in March. But Kingston Council at its 28 November meeting voted to write to police to “ask for an explanation of why they failed to act more promptly and more effectively to protect the safety of members of the community and to prevent the destruction of trees on council land on the Henry Street Trail and adjacent parkland”. Cr Rosemary West said affected residents had seen – and challenged – the suspect armed with an axe and machete during his threemonth vandalism spree, and even knew his name and address. However, despite this information being reported to police they did not act until the man was arrested late November. Local area commander Inspector Bruce Kitchen, of Kingston CIU, defended police tactics although he said he didn’t want to “add fuel to the fire”. “Police have apprehended and charged a suspect after preparing a brief of evidence which is necessary in getting a conviction,” he said. “There are others possibly involved in the incidents and our investigation is continuing. “Perhaps the issue is one of a lack of communication.” Dozens of mature trees along the Henry St trail and in Braeside Park were chopped down and mutilated in the three-month spree. Stephen Taylor
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MERRY XMAS and happy new year from the EPM Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News
14 December 2016
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