Fire works demanded

Jessica Benton
Residents fear the Bellarine Peninsula has been forgotten in efforts to reduce risks ahead of this summer’s bushfire season.
They have demanded authorities improve bushfire preparations at towns including Ocean Grove, St Leonards and Indented Head.
Ocean Grove’s John Kinsman was worried about a reserve backing onto his Woodlands estate home.
“The 150-acre Ocean Grove Nature Reserve is an area of concern and residents have been aware of this for years,” he said.
Mr Kinsman was concerned Ocean Grove was not included on a recently released list of Victorian fire hotspots.
“I could not believe they (authorities) nominated the 52 areas of concern and Ocean Grove was not included,” he said.
“Given the right day, heat and northerly winds, fire could cover Ocean Grove.”
Long-time St Leonards resident Neville Richards said fires around his Bluff Road property had potential to “wipe out” entire residential areas.
He nominated Bluff and Lower Bluff roads and Edwards Point Reserve as prime fire risk areas.
Mr Richards was concerned about a build up of fire fuel in the area over “many years”.
He urged authorities to conduct “clean-ups” including controlled burn-offs and removal of dead trees.
The Independent reported in August that almost 20 towns in the region were on a list of the state’s most dangerous places for bushfires, including all towns along the Great Ocean Road from Jan Juc to Lorne, Breamlea and Steiglitz.
A report on the list said the towns would receive “priority” help to prepare for the next fire season, which begins about the start of November.
City of Greater Geelong acting chief executive Dean Frost told residents at last month’s council meeting that authorities would address other fire-risk areas after finalising plans for the 52 townships.
Department of Sustainability and Environment’s Stephanie Ryan said hazard reduction on public land at Ocean Grove and Bellarine Peninsula were underway.
“There has been a significant increase in the planned fuel management works along the Bellarine Peninsula,” she said.
The works included two prescribed burns at both St Leonards and Ocean Grove in 2009/10 and 2011/12.
Ms Ryan encouraged residents to attend a Parks Victoria information session on October 25 at Ocean Grove Nature Reserve.