Bushfire safety projects completed at Batlow and Albury
Two major bushfire mitigation projects will help keep communities safer with the completion of an Asset Protection Zone (APZ) for the town of Batlow and a range of fire trail upgrades near Albury.
West of Albury, at Nail Can Hill, a 3-month Crown Lands, Rural Fire Service and Soil Conservation Services project upgraded the Wild Dog, Featherstone, Bretts and Polkinghorne fire trails.
At Batlow, a two-kilometre-long APZ has been completed by Crown Lands and the Rural Fire Service to provide a defendable fire break between homes and forest land to the town’s west.
Rural Fire Service Mitigation Crews used chainsaws, brushcutters, remote controlled mowers and front-end loaders with mulchers to complete the Batlow APZ.
The fire break includes areas of both Crown land and private property, and will give firefighters ready access to defend Batlow if bushfire threatens the town, which was devastated by the January 2020 bushfire that destroyed 17 homes.
Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said Crown Lands undertakes about 800 projects each year to maintain and upgrade fire trails and Asset Protection Zones so we’re prepared ahead of bushfire season.
“Crown Lands manages over 1,300 fire trails covering about 2,200km that allow fire agencies to fight blazes and hazard reduction crews to reduce fuel loads leading into summer,” Mr Kamper said.
“Annual helicopter inspections check more than 540 fire trails including remote areas difficult to access by ground vehicles.
“Aboriginal traditional burning techniques are also being used to help support appropriate land management practices using traditional knowledge.”
Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said with the summer fire season approaching it’s important to do everything possible to support preparation of fire services.
“Vital hazard reduction work has been underway across NSW and activities to upgrade fire trails at Batlow will assist in protecting the community,” Mr Dib said.
“It is important to plan ahead and implement a range of mitigation options, this is just one way we can complement existing efforts and enhance our ability to respond to future fires.”