Homes in TiTree ”on their own”, says CFA

Andrew Mathieson
NATIVE Ti Tree poses a bushfire threat to homes on the Bellarine Peninsula this summer, the CFA has warned homeowners.
CFA regional operations officer Graham Lay has advised property owners at Point Lonsdale to clear nearby foliage and bark in a bid to reduce fire risk.
Residents are concerned Queenscliff crews will not defend properties smothered in Ti Tree after the CFA recently told local media it would not risk the safety of crews in fires amid heavy Ti Tree growth.
Queenscliff captain David Hulme told the Independent that sending crews to defend property in extremely dangerous situations such as fires in dense foliage was not a part of CFA policy.
“What the issue is that Ti Tree is of a higher risk by nature, no doubt about that,” Mr Lay said.
“You get greater flame height and it’s a more-intense fire going through.
“Depending on your circumstances, crews will be going in there to defend houses but not if it’s unsafe to do so.
“That’s the same principle we’ve adopted whether it’s Ti Tree, bush or grassland.”
Point Lonsdale resident Ross May feared that many elderly residents with the tree on their properties might not be capable of defending their homes or themselves if fire broke out.
His concerns were was raised at Borough of Queenscliffe’s January council meeting.
“I just wanted to know what the council’s attitude was and whether (or not) they’re prepared to look at a compromise between the aesthetics and the environmental character of the place and to still protect it from fire,” Mr May said.
Borough chief executive Gary Price said council would not intervene in removing Ti Tree from residents’ properties.
“Our responsibility is on public land and private owners are responsible for where they live,” Mr Price said.
“As part of our fire prevention plan we conduct regular reviews of our land assets and consider whether or not there’s a need to remove vegetation if there is a fire risk.”