Moorabool News The
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Tuesday 15 December, 2020
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Serving Ballan and district since 1872
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Vol 14 No 50
Fire hazards rife
Morrisons CFA Captain Nigel Parkinson stands in the overgrown grass area at the ‘unofficial’ campground. Photo – Caitlin Bewley By Caitlin Bewley (3rd Year Swinburne Uni) A local fire brigade is urging an environment authority to slash the overgrown grass at a commonly used campsite, before it’s too late. Morrisons CFA Captain Nigel Parkinson said the campground is a major fire hazard and should be slashed to reduce potential risks. The camping area is located at Morrisons in a gully surrounded by hills, trees, and borders the Moorabool River, a popular spot commonly used by campers. With only one road in and one road out of the area, Mr Parkinson said he is worried about the potential risk of grass fire, mixed with the inability to get out quickly. Mr Parkinson said the area is monitored by the Department of Environment, Land, Water, and Planning (DELWP) and that they have been contacted multiple times to move people on who spend months on the campgrounds.
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“We have had people come and stay here for months at a time,” Mr Parkinson said. “We have to call DELWP to come and get them out of here because it’s just too dangerous. “The grass needs to be slashed, especially going into the fire danger period,” he said. The fire danger period for Moorabool commenced yesterday, Monday December 14, and reports from the CFA showed an increased risk of grass fires. Mr Parkinson said this is his main concern in the Morrisons area. A spokesperson for DELWP told the Moorabool News this season has seen a large amount of vegetation growth right across the Grampians district. “Regular mows identified recreational sites along the Moorabool River used for camping, which are prioritized for slashing over other areas along the river”, they said. Despite the campground in question not being a formal campsite, Tony English, DEWLP Deputy Chief Fire Officer
for the Grampians Region, said they have “undertaken a first mowing cut on the one camping site that attracts the most use”, and they “will monitor and cut the site again before Christmas” “Recent damp conditions mean much of the grass along the riverbank is still growing and yet to cure. Cutting these sites too early will only lead to further growth, which will remain during fire season. “The potential risk of fire carrying through these grasses remains low as they are green and growing,” Mr English said. The Fire Danger Period has been declared in the Moorabool Shire by the Chief Officer of CFA, (page 22 M/News 15 Dec 2020). Certain restrictions on the lighting of fires are in force during the Fire Danger Period. Information about fire restrictions can be obtained from www.cfa.vic. gov.au your local CFA District Officer or Municipal Fire Prevention Officer.
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