Author Archives: fobif

Lessons from Lancefield [2]: public land, private land

Posted on 22 November, 2015 by fobif

A second point worth highlighting in the Carter report is the importance of integrating public and private land in fire preparations. The report says: ‘The Department must adopt a tenure-­‐blind approach to the management of bushfire risk including the planning … Continue reading →

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‘Five per cent’ topples at last

Posted on 20 November, 2015 by fobif

The State Government has finally accepted the recommendation of the Inspector General for Emergency Management to scrap the policy of burning five per cent of public land each year. The government will instead pursue a risk assessment policy. The new … Continue reading →

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Heritage: um, what about us?

Posted on 2 November, 2015 by fobif

Whatever its merits, VEAC’s draft report on heritage places is notable for one baffling deficiency: its failure to consider landscape as a heritage ‘place’. More specifically, it’s clear that the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park is considered, in this report, … Continue reading →

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Want to count a koala?

Posted on 26 October, 2015 by fobif

As we’ve previously reported, koalas are not uncommon in our area. But how many are there? You might want to add to the sum of human knowledge by participating in DELWP’s Koala count on Saturday November 7. For details, check … Continue reading →

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Guess what? We’re not looking after our heritage places properly

Posted on 26 October, 2015 by fobif

The Victorian Environmental Assessment Council has released its draft proposals paper on Heritage Places. You can find it here Not surprisingly, the Council found that management of heritage sites is seriously underfunded: ‘It is clear that there is insufficient funding … Continue reading →

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Historic places, and what they’re worth: revelations soon

Posted on 19 October, 2015 by fobif

The Draft Proposals Paper for VEAC’s Historic Places Investigation will be released for public comment on Thursday 22 October 2015 and made available on that day on the VEAC website. VEAC is holding three information sessions on the Paper, one … Continue reading →

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Spring prowl

Posted on 18 October, 2015 by fobif

A typically strong group rocked up for FOBIF’s October walk on Sunday, expertly and entertainingly led by Elaine Bayes and Damien Cook through the Morgan’s Track area of the Diggings Park. In spite of the dry season there was plenty … Continue reading →

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The Big Tree: does it really need the doctor?

Posted on 14 October, 2015 by fobif

The Guildford Progress Association has written a considered letter to the Mount Alexander Shire to express concern over plans to prune the tree in the interests of its long term health [see our Post]. It essentially argues that the proposed … Continue reading →

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Campbells Creek: some questions about fire

Posted on 10 October, 2015 by fobif

On October 2 DELWP conducted a Zone 1 [Asset Protection] burn in Campbell’s Creek. The area burned was 80 hectares, between Rowley Park Road and Pottery Road. The result, in yellow gum and box woodland with reasonably sparse understorey, appeared … Continue reading →

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What might have been…

Posted on 9 October, 2015 by fobif

The Federal Department of the Environment estimates that estimated that weeds ‘cost Australian farmers around $1.5 billion a year in weed control activities and a further $2.5 billion a year in lost agricultural production. The real cost of weeds to the … Continue reading →

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