The Government’s Fuel Reduction Program is nation leading in its strategic, risk-based approach to fuel reduction to keep Tasmanians safe from bushfires.

The Tasmania Fire Service, Parks and Wildlife Service and Sustainable Timber Tasmania have conducted 1,269 strategic burns across Tasmania since the multi-agency fuel reduction program started in 2014.

Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Felix Ellis, said the launch of the Autumn Fire Reduction Program was a good time for people to take stock of fuel loads in their area.

“We have experienced back-to-back years of La Nina and heavy rains across our landscape, which has resulted in significant vegetation growth,” Minister Ellis said.

“Looking forward, we can expect drier conditions which means this vegetation growth will pose a risk during future bushfire seasons.

“It is important we act early and by acting now we can safely burn as much of this regrowth back and protect our towns and strategic assets from catastrophic bushfires.

“We know what devastation can come if a bushfire gets out of control and that is what we are working to mitigate.”

The Fuel Reduction Program brings Tasmania’s three key land managers together to complete strategic burns across private and public land tenures.

“Our Government has invested $112.3 million in the fuel reduction program since 2014, because we know it works to keep our community safe,” Minister Ellis said.

“The program oversees the burning of fire fuel - leaf litter, shrubbery, dense bushland - across Tasmania to strategically reduce the risk of bushfire posed to people, homes and communities.

“This is a trifecta power to keep Tasmanians safe and the program is important to manage in partnership with our surrounding communities and neighbours, particularly our wine industry.

“The Fuel Reduction Program works closely with Wine Tasmania and vineyards to discuss planned burns and weather conditions to make sure that we can both complete our strategic burns and keep grapes safe.”

The Rockliff Liberal Government is focused on keeping our communities safe from bushfires, which is why we introduced the program and will continue our investment in fuel reduction.