27 January 2012

 

The Ferny Creek community is one of the latest to receive funding under the Victorian Government’s new Fire Ready Communities Grants program, Eastern Victoria Region MP Edward O’Donohue said today.

Mr O’Donohue said the Ferny Creek Bushfire Alert Committee had received $1082 for the MORE Noise about Fire Safety project.

 

The project will extend the distribution of the Ferny Creek Bushfire Alert Committee’s information packs, which contain a booklet, DVD and fridge magnets for new residents of the community, building on the work of existing bushfire awareness and information.

 

Mr O’Donohue congratulated the Ferny Creek Bushfire Alert Committee for their dedication to providing residents with important information about bushfire safety in a fire-prone area.

 

“The information in these packs could potentially save people’s lives,” Mr O’Donohue said.

 

“It offers residents locally relevant and strategic information about the alert system in Ferny Creek and bushfire risks in the local community.”

 

Deputy Premier and Minister for Bushfire Response Peter Ryan said more than $160,000 had been allocated for practical bushfire safety projects in high-risk outer Melbourne areas in the latest round of the Fire Ready Communities program.

 

“The Fire Ready Communities Program is funding a range of innovative local projects to improve fire preparation, fire awareness and education in the state’s 52 high-risk bushfire communities,” Mr Ryan said.

 

“In outer metropolitan Melbourne, projects vary from dedicated bushfire information programs for schools and across local communities, to developing community-wide emergency management plans, upgrading emergency broadcast equipment and even include a special youth soccer tournament with a bushfire safety focus.”

 

Mr Ryan said local communities had expert, on the ground knowledge to find practical solutions to help make their areas safer and ensure local residents are better prepared in the event of bushfires.

 

“It’s also great to see that many of the projects will make a difference to local communities and beyond, with many resources shared with neighbouring areas.”

 

Mr Ryan encouraged groups in high-risk bushfire prone communities to apply for the funding under the $5 million Fire Ready Communities program.

 

To apply for Fire Ready Communities grants, local councils and community organisations should contact the Department of Planning and Community Development in their region or visit www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/contact-us