Author Archives: fobif

‘Foolishly, disastrously wrong’

Posted on 20 October, 2014 by fobif

‘There was never a body of men so foolishly, disastrously wrong,’ wrote Eric Rolls in his 1984 book, They all ran wild. He was talking about the Acclimatisation Societies of Australia, people who believed that this continent was lacking in … Continue reading →

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Risky business

Posted on 13 October, 2014 by fobif

Strategic bushfire management plan: West Central bushfire risk landscape. DEPI 2014 This document has been anticipated with some interest—as have its companions, the plans for the East Central and Barwon Otways districts. It was launched at last Friday’s Creswick conference … Continue reading →

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Act first, think later

Posted on 13 October, 2014 by fobif

A conference on bushfire management reform held at Creswick on October 10 served to highlight some of the complexities in fire management, and to underline the difference between Government policy and the views of conservationists. The difference centres around whether … Continue reading →

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Eucalypt project in the air

Posted on 11 October, 2014 by fobif

FOBIF has tentatively begun work on a beginners guide to eucalypts of the Mount Alexander region, in a joint project with Connecting Country. We’re looking for enthusiasts who are interested in joining the working group. ‘Work’ will involve a fair … Continue reading →

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Now, what’s this about Gough’s Range?

Posted on 10 October, 2014 by fobif

Not too many people visit Gough’s Range State Forest, roughly midway between Welshman’s Reef and Maldon. This small [161 ha] forest will be getting a few extra visitors in the 2016-17 management burning season, however. It’s down for a DEPI … Continue reading →

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Fire operations: some answers

Posted on 6 October, 2014 by fobif

FOBIF has received a response to its submission on the Fire Operations Plan from Andrew Koren, DEPI program manager for planned burning in this region. In brief, DEPI has responded to our concerns with the following points: 1. The Government … Continue reading →

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‘Mosses of dry forests…’it’s easier to buy now

Posted on 6 October, 2014 by fobif

FOBIF has opened a Paypal account to make it easier to buy its field guide to mosses of dry forests online. We did this to facilitate orders from overseas, but the system will make it easier for locals to buy … Continue reading →

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Here we go again

Posted on 6 October, 2014 by fobif

The cup moth [Doratifera] grub is at it again: the damage perhaps a bit patchier than the last infestation. The grub is pretty undiscriminating in its appetite, but appears to prefer stringybarks [Eucalyptus macrohyncha] in our area. The Bendigo Field … Continue reading →

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Risk management vs random burning: a reply

Posted on 30 September, 2014 by fobif

We’ve received a prompt reply to the questions we put to the Environment and the Bushfire Response Ministers yesterday. Readers will remember that our question was simple: –the government is trumpeting its achievement in setting out to burn 5% of … Continue reading →

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Yee–Haah! On the runaway horse!

Posted on 29 September, 2014 by fobif

The Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Bushfire Response, Kim Wells, has today issued a press release on the State Government’s achievements in planned burning. The release is mainly concerned with publicising increased cooperation between DEPI and the CFA; it … Continue reading →

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