Category Archives: News

Fire stoushes: do we need them?

Posted on 18 February, 2015 by fobif

Readers of the Midland Express on Tuesday February 17 will have noticed a letter from the Shadow Minister for the Environment, Brad Battin, as follows: ******* ‘The 2009 Royal Commission into Black Saturday recommended the State Government adopt a five … Continue reading →

Posted in Fire Management, News | 1 Comment

Fire review, but the old order remains for now

Posted on 18 February, 2015 by fobif

The Labor Government is persisting with Coalition policy on fire in the short term. This is confirmed in a statement released yesterday, announcing an independent review of the fuel reduction program. The statement, from the Environment Minister’s office, goes partly … Continue reading →

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Kalimna: an old question

Posted on 18 February, 2015 by fobif

FOBIF has written to David Major, Ranger in charge fire and emergency operations for Parks Victoria, about track works in Kalimna Park. Our key question was: we believe protocols were developed by Parks some years ago to do with track works. … Continue reading →

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Golden Orb Weavers are about

Posted on 16 February, 2015 by fobif

The Golden Orb Weaver Nephila edulis is reasonable common in our local bush. At this time of year the females are mature and able to construct large wheel-shaped orb webs. In certain lights these strong webs look golden, thus the name. Their egg sacs … Continue reading →

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Burning Kalimna

Posted on 9 February, 2015 by fobif

The Department of the Environment is preparing to burn Kalimna Park this autumn, some time between March 1 and May 31. This activity has been long planned, and is part of the current Fire Operations Plan. The map below shows the … Continue reading →

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Gouging Kalimna

Posted on 9 February, 2015 by fobif

As we reported above, participants at the January 30 consultation meeting were assured that track works and mineral earth breaks related to burning operations would be carefully managed and would not involve unnecessary gouging or road widening. Residents can judge … Continue reading →

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Autumn Fungi Workshops

Posted on 9 February, 2015 by fobif

Alison Pouliot has been sharing her fascination with fungi in workshops and forays across Central Victoria for many years. This year she has put together another wonderful program with several workshops in our Shire and others not far away. To view her 2015 … Continue reading →

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Hot rods at Gowar?

Posted on 22 January, 2015 by fobif

FOBIF and several other community organisations will be attending an information meeting on February 5 on a proposal to set up a ‘dynamic vehicle testing facility and events and recreation centre’ at Gowar. The Castlemaine Hot Rod Centre received $29,000 … Continue reading →

Posted in News | 2 Comments

Another day on the highway

Posted on 2 January, 2015 by fobif

The photo below is of a red bellied black snake on the Pyrenees highway at Barkers Creek in late December. Efforts to persuade the snake to move off the road in one direction or another proved futile, and the reptile … Continue reading →

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Launch of Woodland Bird brochure

Posted on 22 December, 2014 by fobif

The Woodland birds of Central Victoria brochure was recently launched at a late afternoon event in The Hub garden, Castlemaine. The large gathering was addressed by Connecting Country director Chris Timewell, Connecting Country’s Habitat for Bush Birds Project Coordinator Tanya Loos, and Geoff Park … Continue reading →

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