Jeremy Rockliff

Premier of Tasmania



27 July 2017

, Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management

Michael Keenan, Federal Minister for Justice

Bushfire mitigation projects announced for Tasmania

Minister for Justice Michael Keenan and Tasmanian Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management Rene Hidding today announced funding for eight projects to reduce the risk and impact of bushfires in Tasmania.

Minster Keenan said the projects will be funded under the Commonwealth’s $15 million National Bushfire Mitigation Program 2014-17, which aims to strengthen community resilience and build Australia's ability to prevent bushfires.

“More than $400,000 of Commonwealth funding has been allocated this year to an additional eight much needed bushfire maintenance works and research projects in Tasmania,” Mr Keenan said.

"I congratulate all funding recipients and thank them for the work they are doing to mitigate the risks and consequences of bushfires.”

Minister Hidding said the successful projects were selected after a competitive grants process, and brings the total number of Tasmanian projects that have been funded through this program to 17.

“Tasmanian communities are already witnessing the benefits of the projects that received funding in the first two years of this program, and these latest projects will build on that success in making communities safer,” Mr Hidding said.

“Past funding has supported a range of activities, including improving bushfire risk mapping, extending fire trails and better coordinating prescribed burns with private landholders.”

“This latest round of projects will complement other actions we have taken to keep Tasmanians safe from the threat of bushfires such as our $55 million Fuel Reduction Program.”

The successful projects include:

  • The further development of a baseline dataset to help forecast and model changes in fire weather
  • Building capacity in Tasmanian schools for bushfire mitigation, preparation and mitigation planning
  • Building on community preparedness in Dolphin Sands and Great Oyster Bay Estate
  • Bushfire risk analysis for Kingborough Council’s bushland reserves and road network
  • Determining moisture thresholds for the combustion of organic soils for key vegetation types in Western Tasmania
  • Fire management plans for parks and reserves managed by the Kentish and Latrobe Councils
  • Eiszeles Road fire track upgrade at Lachlan
  • Fire trail development and maintenance to protect communities in each of the three Tasmanian regions


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