Western Port
Western Port
realestate 24 Novemb er
Your guide to what’s on this weekend for peninsula families
2015
Barkly beauty > Page 3
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Back to nature ONCE reunited with his parents, the young wedgetailed eagle released at Bittern on Monday is going to find it hard to explain his absence. The bird spent three days with wildlife carer Jennie Bryant, which included being checked by a vet, being taken to Healesville and being fed meals on lean meat and vitamins. After being given the all clear for take-off, the young wedge-tail was released back into the wild on Monday close to where he was found and where Ms Bryant believes his farsighted parents will soon welcome him home. Ms Bryant was called to the stricken bird on Friday by some people who spotted it walking on a road. She was able to catch it when it went became tangled in a tree by throwing a towel over its head. Once back at Ms Bryant’s Koala Rescue at Tyabb, the wedge-tail was assessed, fed and then taken to visit the vet and Healesville. Ms Bryant said it appeared the bird had only recently left the nest and was unable to fend for itself. The bird appeared healthy besides being underweight and having a small smear of blood on one wing. “I fed him up a bit, but he didn’t seem to like rabbits or duck, which is something he’ll learn from his parents,” she said. With the wedge-tail released, Ms Bryant is now busy with looking after other injured wildlife; including a female koala (“she’s got problems with her hands”) that has to undergo 45 days of injections for a chlamydia infection. Keith Platt
Picture: Gary Sissons
Strict fire controls apply THIS season’s official fire danger period for Frankston, Mornington Peninsula and French and Phillip islands starts next Monday, 30 November. CFA South East Region assistant chief officer Trevor Owen said fire restrictions were starting earlier than last year because of recent warm and dry conditions. “So far, all indicators are pointing to a challenging fire season ahead,” Mr Owen said. “While CFA does every-
thing it can, we look to the community to use common sense and take responsibility for preventing fires.” Mr Owen said “a short window of opportunity” remained for property owners to clean up but warned against illegal fires. “Out of control burn-offs and unregistered burn-offs have been a major headache for brigades,” he said. “Just because the fire danger period is yet to start doesn’t mean it’s safe to
burn off. You should avoid burning off when high winds are forecast – not only on the day of your burn but for the days afterwards.” Mr Owen said the CFA would be taking a “zero tolerance” 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 fol-
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low just one of those conditions can still leave you open to prosecution.” During the fire danger period fires cannot be lit in the open air without a written permit from CFA or a municipal fire prevention officer. The fire bans are based on local conditions and take into account fuel moisture, fuel loads, grassland curing, weather and rainfall. More details at cfa.vic.gov.au/can or call 1800 240 667. All burn-offs should be registered with the VicFire Burn-off
notification line, 1800 668 511. Mr Owen cautioned against relying on one source of information during summer. Fire information was available through ABC local radio, or other emergency broadcasters including radio, SKY TV, downloading the FireReady App, visitingemergency.vic. gov.au, calling the bushfire information 1800 240 667. Continued Page 3
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