The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien is calling for action to protect Loch Sport and other similarly isolated regional communities from continued unnecessary bushfire risk.
Mr O’Brien said Loch Sport, like other Gippsland towns that have experienced significant bushfire threat in recent years such as Mallacoota, is surrounded by national park and vegetation, with just one road in and one road out.
“The people who live in towns like Loch Sport are reliant on appropriate bushfire management practices to ensure their safety,” Mr O’Brien said.
“So it is no wonder that the recent bushfires, which saw the coastal banksia heathland around Loch Sport devastated, have sparked plenty of concerns among locals.”
“I received a very clear message that there is a need or more fuel reduction burning and better fire breaks around the town.
“This is not a new message and is something I have been working alongside the Loch Sport community to convey to the Labor Government for several years now.”
Mr O’Brien circulated a petition calling on the State Government to take action to better protect Loch Sport from bushfire risk back in 2020.
“I also wrote to both the Minister for Emergency Services and the Minister for Environment at that time and am aware that community meetings were facilitated between the state departments and the local community as a result.
“While I sincerely appreciate opportunities for the local community to be heard, what we really need is action.”
Mr O’Brien said he will now be taking up these and other fire-related issues with the Government over coming weeks.