Fixing Burnt Fences
Lost boundary fences
Boundary fences under the Fences Act (1968) are considered assets of the landholder and should be insured accordingly.
For information on available assistance and the Victorian Government policy on Bushfire and Fire Control Line Rehabilitation and Damage to private fences (internal and boundary) by fire agency machinery during bushfire emergencies go to Damaged or destroyed fences and rehabilitation of fire control lines after bushfire.
Tree risk assessment
DSE and Municipal officers are generally available to provide advice about unsafe trees on your property. All enquiries should be directed through your Municipal Recovery Centre.
Lost internal fences and whole-farm planning
Your first priority will be to replace the boundary fence. After that there is an opportunity to consider internal fences as part of a broader assessment of your property. Whole-farm planning, or property management planning, is a management tool used to determine the optimum layout of land used for primary production. The aim of whole-farm planning is to optimise production while reducing land degradation and improving environmental outcomes. It involves arranging land with the same capability (land class) so it can receive the same management.
The bushfires and subsequent loss of fencing, presents you with an opportunity to review your farm layout and management. DPI offers a variety of programs to assist in developing a whole-farm plan. In order to reduce damage and losses from potential fires in the future, it is important to carefully reconsider property and building design; access; water supply and maintenance as it relates to fire prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.
Definition of a land class
A land class is a unit of rural land with a relatively uniform set of characteristics (geology, soil type, slope, aspect) that allows it to support a distinctive type and intensity of use. A land class requires a specific set of management practices different to other land classes to sustain those uses without damage to the land.
How do we make a property plan?
To develop a property plan obtain an aerial photo of your property and place a sheet of rigid clear plastic film over the image. On the film, mark in your land class boundaries and then remove the photo and put the plastic film on a white background. You can design paddock sizes with the same land-class including lane ways, water systems, creeks, shelter and wildlife corridors. You then put the film back onto the photo to see how it can be implemented. If you are interested in computer-based tools there is new software available such as e-farmer and MyFOL.
Environmental Best Management Practices (EMBP) workbooks are available from DPI offices or through the DPI Customer Service Centre on 136 186.
