Farmers angry that scrapping Yarra River grazing licences will increase bush fire risk

ANGRY Yarra Valley farmers say a State Government move to scrap grazing licences along the Yarra River will increase bushfire risks.

Yarra Valley residents (from left) Leo Boxell, Jenny Barber, Bev Boxell, Ian Barber, Rick Houlihan and Paul Bruton are is concerned removing grazing rights will increase the risk of bush fires. Picture: Steve Tanner

ANGRY Yarra Valley farmers say a State Government move to scrap grazing licences along the Yarra River will increase bushfire risks.

The Yarra Waterways Group is against a move to revegetate cleared land along the river
in the Upper Yarra Valley in a bid to expand Yellingbo Conservation Area.

Previously, farmers had been granted grazing licences to use the land but these are being
phased out. Towns affected include Launching Place, Yarra Junction, Wesburn, Millgrove, Gladysdale and Three Bridges.

Yarra Ranges Council wrote to State Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio on September 19 to call for the continuation of grazing licences.

The council’s concerns included the “unreasonably” short time frames and inadequate funding for those having their grazing licences revoked.

The heightened fire risk to communities was also an issue for the council with concerns about the unmanaged vegetation and increased fuel load in one of highest bushfire risk areas in the state.

Council chief executive Glenn Patterson said the State Government needed to consider grazing areas as a way to manage and reduce bushfire risk.

“The rehabilitation of the crown land has the potential to increase bushfire risk with increased fuel loads,” Mr Patterson said.

Yarra Waterways Group member Jenny Barber said the area was one of the most fire-prone in the world.

“We’ve had the use of crown land for hundreds of years,” Ms Barber said. “Some of these areas come right up to houses.”

Ms Barber said she owned a hobby farm with a few head of cattle but other farmers and market gardeners in the area relied on the land for their livelihood.

“There’s only one road in and out — the Warburton Highway — if they revegetate all the waterways, the CFA will have trouble coming to collect water,” Ms Barber said.

Department spokeswoman Sally Bateman said the bushfire risk had been noted.

“To address this, an independent consultant will work with relevant agencies including the CFA … and the local community to draft bushfire management recommendations,” she said.

Ms Bateman said the department and Parks Victoria would continue fuel management activities in and around Yellingbo.