Deniliquin’s residential areas have a low-moderate risk of being impacted by bushfire, while Mathoura’s risk has been deemed high.
Areas surrounding Deniliquin are also at high risk, particularly economy boosting tourism and agriculture assets.
Those are the findings of a new Bush Fire Risk Management Plan (BFRMP) drafted by the Mid Murray Zone Bush Fire Management Committee.
The plan maps and assesses the region’s vulnerability to fire, but also offers suggestions on how to lower the risks ahead of the bushfire season.
It also sets out responsible agencies in completing those ‘treatments’, and lists safe spaces in times of emergencies.
The draft report has now been released to the public, so community feedback can be sought.
The report’s focus assessment of Deniliquin suggests that as the majority of homes and properties are located on flat terrain, they are in the “low-moderate bushfire risk category”.
“However, several economic assets, in particular tourism and agriculture assets, are in the highest bushfire risk category,” the report continues.
Mathoura’s high risk status is based on its proximity to bushfire-prone lands.
“The town attracts tourism and acts as a hub to the surrounding National Park,” the report suggests.
“Several economic assets are in the highest bushfire risk category across the area, primarily in tourism and agriculture.”
In contrast, nearby Picnic Point has been listed as having low risk in both categories.
The report also outlines assessments for Moama (moderate residential, but high for economic assets), Moonacullah Aboriginal Mission and Cummeragunja (both low risk, but high social vulnerability due to the number of unoccupied dwellings impacting appropriate bushfire preparedness activities), and Moulamein - (low residential risk, but high for economic assets).
The plan, using feedback from fire agencies, land managers and other stakeholders, identifies ways of reducing the impact of fires across our area.
It establishes “treatment” strategies to minimise the level of risk and outlines who is responsible for carrying out the treatments identified.
These treatment options include:
• Fuel management - the reduction or modification of bushfire fuel with the intent of slowing the spread of bushfires and aiding firefighting operations.
• Ignition prevention - Activities to prevent or reduce bushfire ignitions whether they be accidental or deliberate. This includes community preparedness programs, fuel management and specific actions in the Ignition Prevention Plan.
• Community preparedness - Activities such as working with residents to improve their level of planning and preparation for a fire, to increase the survivability of their home and families in the event of a fire.
• Response - Specific response requirements for a particular area or value, in addition to standard procedures. This may include specific actions in the BFMC Plan of Operations or Fire Access and Fire Trail plan.
The Mid Murray Zone Bush Fire Management Committee now invites those who live and work in the region to view the draft plan, and provide feedback by October 1, 2024.
You can read the plan at https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/managing-bush-fire-risk/bush-fire-management-committees/mid-murray-zone.
Copies are also available at the following locations:
• Mid Murray Zone Fire Control Centre, Macknight Drive, Deniliquin;
• Edward River Council Customer Service Centre, 180 Cressy St. Deniliquin;
• Murray River Council Mathoura Visitor & Business Centre, Cobb Hwy, Mathoura;
• Murray River Council Moama Office, 52 Perricoota Rd, Moama.
Where possible, submissions on the draft BFRMP should be submitted through the online portal listed above. Written submissions can also be sent to the BFMC Executive Officer by email at MidMurray.Zone@rfs.nsw.gov.au or by post to Mid Murray Zone FCC, PO Box 109, Deniliquin.