Author Archives: fobif

The May 24 information session was followed by a briefing by researchers who produced the Box Ironbark mosaic burning project [see our Posts here, here and here]. As we reported last week, possibly the biggest question raised by this project … Continue reading →

FOBIF has made a brief submission to the Biodiversity discussion paper. The substance of the submission is set out at the end of this post. The discussion paper is worth a look, tossing quite a few provocative ideas. Among them: … Continue reading →

FOBIF has made a submission to the Water for Victoria Discussion paper. The substance of the submission is set out below: Although we believe that there are many useful ideas in the document, we are disappointed in its tendency to … Continue reading →

We had a parliamentary enquiry in 2008. And then a Royal Commission. And then an investigation into the effects of the Royal Commission’s recommendations. Now the Legislative Council has instituted an enquiry into fire preparedness. Perhaps all these enquiries are … Continue reading →

The management burn planned for tomorrow in Kalimna Park has been cancelled. The Friends of Kalimna Park today received a note from DELWP as follows: ‘Fuel moistures have indicated that this burn would not achieve our burn objectives meaning burning will … Continue reading →

The railway dam is one of the most picturesque spots in the Fryers forest. It’s always good to catch a glimpse of it as you pass by in the train. DELWP has laid out a pleasant 4k walk [the ‘Junction … Continue reading →

We’re not lacking in water reports. FOBIF’s collection includes [among others] the 2004 White Paper, the 2003 and 2013 North Central Catchment Strategy, the 2009 Northern Region Sustainable water strategy, and the State’s 2013 Waterway management strategy—all reasonably hefty documents … Continue reading →

One of the problems with Government policy papers is that they tend to be relentlessly positive, to want to be friends with everyone: ‘We will manage water to support a healthy environment, a prosperous economy and thriving communities, now and … Continue reading →

We should say right off that this paper’s an advance on the 2013 strategy in that it confronts the question of climate change, something the Coalition government habitually covered up with the gormless phrase, ‘natural climate variability.’ There are some … Continue reading →

FOBIF has had an answer from DELWP to its February submission to the upcoming Fire Operations Plan. The Department’s letter, from Andrew Koren, regional manager of planned burning, essentially breaks down into the following points: How does the Department’s planning … Continue reading →