Commissioned in 2003, we asked both Mr Packham and Mr Incoll to submit reports on our shire’s bushfire condition.

Both experts in this field returned damning reports of massive ground fuel loads, unworkable vegetation policies and a total disregard for rate payers personal safety along with their properties.

These reports were tendered to Nillumbik Council in 2003 and they were ignored with contempt by the councilors.

The reports have proven in 2009 to be so accurate it is unforgivable that these public servants did not even consider them worthy of seeking advise to support their lack of bushfire expertise or just that these reports did not fit to their “Green Belt Agenda”.

BUSHFIRE THREAT TO NILLUMBIK SHIRE

by David Roy Packham

AN OVERVIEW OF FIRE HAZARD AND VEGETATION CONTROLS IN THE SHIRE OF NILLUMBIK

by Rod A Incoll

THE BUSHFIRE RISK: COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND PERCEPTION ON THE RURAL-URBAN FRINGE OF MELBOURNE

by John B. Gilbert

1962: 14 – 16 January

Fires in the Dandenong Ranges and on the outskirts of Melbourne caused thirty two fatalities and destroyed over 450 houses. Areas severely affected include The Basin, Christmas Hills, Kinglake, St Andrews, Hurstbridge, Warrandyte and Mitcham.

2009: 7 February ‘Black Saturday’

On 7 February 2009, Victoria was devastated by the worst bushfires in Australia’s history when 173 people lost their lives. Around 78 communities were directly impacted and entire towns were left unrecognisable. The fires burnt more than 2,000 properties and 61 businesses. Police stations, schools and kindergartens, fire and emergency services facilities, churches, community halls and sporting clubs were also destroyed or badly damaged. Almost 430,000 hectares of land were directly affected, including 70 national parks and reserves and over 3,550 agricultural facilities.