Fire in the Maldon Historic Reserve

Forest Fire Management burned a biodiversity rich section of the Maldon Historic Reserve, near the Railway Track, on May 9. Conditions were described as ‘ideal’, with no wind, and appropriate moisture levels.

Readers will remember we have reported on this fire proposal before—see our posts with links to a map of the site here

The Department’s aim was a low intensity burn to remove 4cm of ground fuel and prevent elevated bushfire hazards. A preburn fire was lit to create smoke so that small animals could get away. Three exclusion zones were created to protect nominated plant species.

In the burn zone: no large habitat trees seem to have been destroyed; but in an area dominated by spindly regrowth eucalypts, the loss of even medium sized trees is to be regretted.

Local environmentalists met with fire management both before and after ignition, and a further onsite meeting is planned for about 8 weeks time.

The fire was described by fire officers as low intensity; staff and students of Melbourne University had placed probes around the site to measure heat levels. In fact, the fire intensity varied widely, with some areas severely burned and others barely touched, achieving a mosaic effect around the site….but managers are considering returning to the untouched areas for another go.

There’s no doubt that managers are making serious efforts to reconcile environmental concerns and current ideas about fire danger. In the present case, the exercise seems to have been pulled off without bringing down any large habitat trees, a significant improvement on past exercises; yet a number of medium sized trees was destroyed—a regrettable result. Though this area is rich in understorey and ground cover plants and orchids, the tree cover is largely spindly regrowth eucalypts, and can ill afford loss of trees of good size.

As we’ve said before, moreover, there’s an apparently irreconcilable clash of views when it comes to that 4 cm of leaf litter: does it constitute a ‘very high to extreme fuel hazard’ (Fuel Hazard Assessment Guide), or is it a precious environmental asset? According to Arthur Rylah research, ‘litter plays an important role in nutrient cycling, and provides important habitat for invertebrates and small vertebrates. Frequent burning (for example, 3-5 year intervals) will disrupt natural processes in the short-term and may eventually lead to a depletion of soil nutrients and loss of habitat.’

Exercises like the one under discussion are in fact experiments. Part of their value depends on what kind of monitoring and research is done before and after them—and as we know, there’s little or no credible research arising from many such burns. As the Auditor General put it in 2021, ‘DELWP cannot demonstrate if, or how well, it is halting further decline in Victoria’s threatened species populations.’

 

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Pre-1852 Eucalypts of Maldon Walk

Today’s FOBIF walk was in the Maldon township on a chilly, windy morning. We are grateful to Bev Phillips from MULGA ( Maldon Urban Landcare Group) for her informative and interesting talks, as we walked and gazed in wonder at the ancient trees. We now might be able to tell the difference between Grey Box, Yellow Box, Red Box and Long-leaved box trees, but as Bev kept reminding us, don’t just rely on the bark to identify a tree! (Bev acknowledged Frances Cincotta for that point of emphasis).  Specimen samples of some of the trees were provided so we could look closely at the leaf shape and fruit. It was a wonderful walk seeing the 500 year old tree and some of  the 300 & 200 year old trees, all catalogued on private and public land and being protected by MULGA.

Thanks to Linda Hickey for this contribution.

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Events at Castlemaine Library-John Bonnice & Barry Golding

Two events that might be of interest to readers are held as part of National Reconcilliation Week at the Goldfields Library, Castlemaine branch.

John Bonnice, who recently conducted a workshop for the FOBIF committee, invites you to explore beliefs and understandings around the interrelationship between mainstream culture, white privilege and racism.

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/culture-privilege-and-racism-tickets-1235111494729?aff=oddtdtcreator

Barry Golding regaled us with tales of First Nations occupation and geology on our recent Loddon Walk is also speaking at the library.

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/prof-barry-golding-six-peaks-speak-tickets-1244127080589?aff=oddtdtcreator

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From Victorian Forest Alliance; News, a petition & fundraiser

 

Destructive “Salvage” Logging Escalates in Wombat State Forest

Large-scale removal of fallen trees from Wombat State Forest is accelerating under the false pretence of fire risk reduction—despite clear warnings from scientists and community groups. These environmentally damaging operations began with VicForests in 2022 and continue under Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMV), with most of the trees sold as firewood.

This so-called “salvage” logging is destroying vital habitat, compacting soils, and wiping out young vegetation, all while failing to meaningfully reduce fire risk. Fallen logs are essential for forest health—providing shelter, supporting biodiversity, and retaining moisture in the landscape.

This is not fire prevention. It is ecological vandalism, masquerading as “fire management”.

We are now entering a critical window to ensure the State Government keeps its promise to legislate the Central West Parks — and your support is vital. 

The VNPA has set up a template letter and you can add your extra bit demanding that Forest Fire Management Victoria halt this environmental destruction in Wombat State Forest.


VFA Hot Burns Update

FFMV Cowboys Lose Control — Twice — at Hepburn

In a spectacular display of mismanagement, fire authorities have confirmed they lost control of a 200-hectare planned burn at Hepburn Regional Park on Friday 11 April — and then managed to lose it again on Saturday 12 April.

After an all-hands emergency effort by CFA crews, helicopters, and planes finally brought Friday’s fire under control, FFMV according to CFA personnel, decided to “put more fire into it” the next day. As a result (unsurprisingly), the blaze escaped again, ballooning out to 300 hectares by Sunday 13 April.

Over 250 firefighters were thrown into the battle near Old Tom Track, south-west of Daylesford, once again cleaning up the mess left by FFMV’s cowboy operation.

As a worried local, impacted by the fire told us,  “28 degrees in a sloping forest that’s ultra bone dry. What could possibly go wrong?”

This isn’t just bad luck — it’s a clear case of reckless fire management putting public safety at risk and burning precious bushland.

(Supplied: Maree Smith)

 


VFA Chuffed Fundraiser 

We’re Over Halfway There – Thanks to You! Let’s Keep the Momentum Going!

We’re past the halfway mark — your support has been amazing! Now let’s smash our goal.The science is clear: planned burns don’t stop wildfires — they can make forests more flammable.

We’re fighting for a safer, smarter approach to bushfire risk. Help us push the Victorian Government to act!

Visit our STOP PLANNED BURNS page — and chip in if you can!

 
You can also donate directly to VFA’s bank account. Please use “stop planned burns” as the reference.
Name: VICTORIAN FOREST ALLIANCE INC
BSB: 633000
Account number: 187933262

We’re urging the government to increase funding for rapid detection and response capability, so that small fires are put out before they become large. This is already an effective strategy. Over this summer, more than 9 in 10 Victoria’s fires were contained as a result of the first attempt at suppression. And we can do this better.


Sign the Petition: Stop Broadscale Burning of Native Forests

Every year, thousands of hectares of precious bushland are deliberately burned — far from towns — causing massive CO₂ emissions, killing wildlife, poisoning waterways, and damaging human health.

Worse still, science shows these burns don’t reduce bushfire risk — they can actually make forests more flammable for decades to come.

Mature, healthy forests are naturally more fire-resistant. It’s time to protect them — and us — by stopping broadscale burning and investing in smarter, safer fire management.

Add your name to the petition calling on Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos to end this destructive practice. And please share!

 
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Update on Planned Burning

The FOBIF committee have been busy campaigning Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMV) for more sensible measures to reduce bushfire risk in our region. Here is an update of activities in the last six months:
– In January we submitted a Freedom of Information request to FFMV, seeking any
pre-burn biodiversity assessments and fuel hazard assessments they had conducted for planned burns carried out within the Shire since 2021. We wanted to see this information, as it has become clear to us that FFMV collect very little (if any data) to justify their burns, or to prevent impacts to listed threatened species, despite claims
that they do. Since we submitted the request, FFMV have made us modify the request three times, claiming that the request would require too many resources to fulfill, and we have had to limit the request to only three planned burns. We were charged over $300 and are still waiting for the request to be fulfilled. We will keepyou posted on the result!

– On the 25 th of March, we wrote a letter to FFMV raising concerns about multiple
planned burns scheduled for the Shire for this autumn and winter. A lot of the information in our letter came from the Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club (CFNC), who had raised concerns about potential impacts to the endangered Fryerstown Grevillea and Eltham Copper Butterfly. We never heard back and have now sent a follow up letter asking why we received no response. It is our understanding that
CFNC did get a response, but only via phone and not in writing.

At short notice, several on the FOBIF committee attended a meeting that CFNC had arranged with FFMV at a proposed planned burn site at Saltwater Track in Taradale on the 30th of April. 

Bewildered butterfly, Maldon Fuel Reduction Burn site, 23 Nov 2014. Photo: Frances Cincottta

At the meeting, FFMV staff admitted that:
o No pre-burn biodiversity field surveys are undertaken by FFMV to map out threatened species.
o Many past FFMV fires have actually increased fuel loads,
particularly if they have been ‘hot’ fires.
o There is usually no monitoring of planned burn sites after 12 months to confirm that the fuel risk has been reduced.

FOBIF have been campaigning on this issue for decades as we believe inappropriate burning to be one of the major threats to our local ecosystems. It is often frustrating work coming up against such a politically motived bureaucracy, but we will continue to hold FFMV accountable. Stay tuned for more updates down the track.

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Loddon River Walk 2025

Loddon River, Baringhup

A good attendance of interested walkers met at the farm of Kerrie and Rob Jennings for an Easter Sunday wander along the Loddon River. In this dry time, the sound of running water seemed almost unfamiliar! This is due to the release of water for irrigation from Cairn Curran Reservoir upstream. As we made our way along the river, Barry Golding weaved stories of geology and history, drawing from his recent book, Six Peaks Speak, revealing the environmental and cultural significance of this place. At the same time, we encountered Easter campers and heard the occasional gunshot of duck shooters.

There were stunning stands of old river red gums and at the end of the walk near Hamilton’s crossing, where we stood with a huge ring tree.  The striking high cliffs of red sand, known as ‘Redbank ’, is where the Loddon takes a dramatic turn to the west. Barry explained that this is where the river the meets hornfels, a very hard rock on the edge of the granite.  Above Redbank was the site of Victoria’s first Aboriginal protectorate. There were numerous quartz fragments on the ground that are produced in the manufacture of Aboriginal tools.

In an Acknowledgment to Country, First Nations woman, Jane Harrison, reminded us of the importance of walking with Country. We walked, listened, shared and learnt.

Thanks to Joy Clusker for additional photos

 

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Taradale/Metcalfe Calder Fwy wildlife underpass

We had some great news from Joel Bloom (Post Office Hill Action Group). Some years ago the late Dough Ralph & FOBIF advocated for the inclusion of a wildlife underpass in the construction of the freeway. Joel discovered that it is well used. He had been exploring the Taradale/Metcalfe Calder Fwy wildlife underpass area and found that wombats are using it (lots of tracks & scats), along with roos and deer (piles of deer poos!). In related news, he saw a mother and joey wombat on Golden Point Road, Chewton. Even more reason to slow down on the roads, particularly at night.

Joel Bloom
Taradale/Metcalfe Calder Fwy wildlife underpass

 

 
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Recording of ‘Challenging the Myth of Fuel Load Reduction’-Karl Just

 

Victorian Forest Alliance

 

Recent Karl Just Webinar – Challenging the Myth of Fuel Load Reduction. We were thrilled to have over 220 people attend, making it our most popular webinar yet. 

For further information and resources visit the VFA’s STOP PLANNED BURNS webpage. 


A couple of links that Karl refers to during his webinar:

Link to the Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMV) fuel assessment guide: 

https://www.ffm.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/21110/Report-82-overall-fuel-assess-guide-4th-ed.pdf

And the FFMV planned burns page:

https://plannedburns.ffm.vic.gov.au/


VFA are raising funds on Chuffed to power our Stop Planned Burns campaign – and we’d love your support!

If you’re fired up after the webinar, now’s the time to chip in and help the VFA turn momentum into action.

Thanks for being part of this!

You can also donate directly to VFA’s bank account. Please use “stop planned burns” as the reference and let us know if you’d like to remain anonymous by replying to this email.

Name: VICTORIAN FOREST ALLIANCE INC
BSB: 633000
Account number: 187933262


Upcoming Webinar – 1st May at 6:30pm

Join us for a special session with Prof. David Lindenmayer on: “Disturbance-Stimulated Flammability – Links Between Logging, Previous Fire, and Wildfire”

A must-see for anyone interested in fire, forests, and the future. This is a free event, but registration is essential.


Sign the petition to “Stop broadscale burning of native forest in Victoria”

We call on the Minister for the Environment, Steve Dimopoulos, to stop broadscale burning of forests.

Instead, we need the government to:

  1. Manage forest for maturity, allowing ecological controls to reduce forest flammability.
  2. Redeploy funds from broadscale burning to rapid detection and suppression of fires using drone technology, infra-red mapping, satellite imagery, and water bombing capacity.
  3. Boost remote area firefighting capacity.

We hope you’ve been inspired to dive deeper, stay curious, and stay connected as we continue this vital conversation.

More webinars are on the way, and we’re expanding our website to keep the knowledge flowing and the momentum growing.

Let’s keep learning, questioning, and creating change – together.

In solidarity
Nic- Secretary, Victorian Forest Alliance
https://www.victorianforestalliance.org.au/

We acknowledge that the Victorian Forest Alliance operates on the sovereign land of First Nations Peoples. The forests we defend and restore are unceded Lands.

We recognise and respect that the forests we work to protect exist on a number of Sovereign Aboriginal Nations, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present.

 
 

 

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Loddon River walk, Baringhup. Sunday 20th April.

Loddon River Baringhup

This is a continuation downstream along the Loddon River from the finishing point of the 2024 walk. Starting at the Jennings’ farm near Baringhup, we walk to Hamilton’s crossing; a distance of about 5km. We will have a bus at the finish for the return journey. Barry Golding will talk at points of interest along the way and will have a few copies of his book, ‘Six Peaks Speaks’ for sale.

We will be leaving Community House, Templeton Street, Castlemaine at 9.30am. Please arrive by 9.20am to sign in and organise car-pooling. Alternatively, you can arrive at the Jennings’ farm, 1376 Baringhup-Eddington Road, Baringhup by 10am.

The walk will finish mid-afternoon, so bring morning tea, lunch and drinking water. We will be walking through long grass and unformed tracks so wear sturdy footwear and long pants or gaiters.

Contact Gen Blades 0431 371 065 or Lisa Hall 0488 102 191.

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Planned Burns; an online talk by FOBIF committee member Karl Just, next Tuesday

Do you want to learn more about how planned burns are damaging our ecosystems? And how they don’t they achieve their purported aim of reducing fuel loads. This will be a great talk by FOBIF committee member, Karl Just.  We hope that this discussion will prompt investigation into how these burns cause damage to our local forests.

VFA Webinar link »

 

Posted in Fire Management, News | 7 Comments