Issues of Interest

10/30 Rule A Good Start - Volunteers

Victoria’s volunteer firefighters have praised the State Government’s decision to radically simplify the rules governing the clearing of trees and undergrowth around homes.

Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria (VFBV), which represents volunteer firefighters, says the new 10/30 rule for clearing vegetation is helping to make fire safety easy for people to understand and put into practice.

VFBV Chairman Gary Lyttle said the 10/30 rule allows people in bush fire areas to clear trees up to ten metres from their houses and ground fuel up to thirty metres, without needing a permit to do it.

“That simple 10/30 rule is easy to remember, and makes it easy for householders to clear a bushfire safety zone around their homes,” Mr Lyttle said.

“The State Government has cleared away the paperwork, so home owners can clear away the bushfire fuel in time for the coming fire season.”

VFBV represents the state’s 60,000 volunteer fire fighters, who provide professionally trained fire fighting services to country Victoria and 60% of Melbourne’s suburbs.

The volunteer firefighters organisation supports the State Government’s formal acceptance today of the Bushfires Royal Commission’s 51 recommendations.

“Having committed to those recommendations, the State Government must now consult the volunteers, who have the fire fighting expertise and local knowledge to help with the practical implementation,” Mr Lyttle said.

“Involving them in the process will be an investment in maintaining the health of our volunteer system and building upon its capacity to benefit all Victorians,” he said.

“That continuing involvement will enhance bushfire safety right across the state.”

Media inquiries/interview requests:

Peter Beaton, VFBV, (03) 9886 1141 or 0419 504 111 

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