$100K trail to reduce risk of bushfires and vegetation fires in vulnerable region

With a willingness to avoid the devastation and loss of the Black Summer bushfires a second time, council has developed a plan to prevent major fires hitting a vulnerable region.

Scenes from the front line of the fire and the devastation caused, taken above Sarabah at Tabletop in the Scenic Rim, on Monday, Sept 9, 2019. Picture: Kirstin Payne

In a bid to massively reduce the threat of bushfires hitting the vulnerable Scenic Rim, council and the State Government have pledged $100,000 towards the construction of a “fire trail”.

A $40,000 contribution from the Scenic Rim Regional Council and $60,000 from the State Govenmrent means the region will be well-equipped if the devastating fires, which wiped out homes and natural habitat, hit again.

The Guanaba and Gleneagle Reserves are the first to have received the significant works.

The works at Gleneagle Reserve, off Parkhurst Place, have reduced the risk of fire to more than 35 nearby properties and included the establishment of more than 1,000 metres of new fire trails.

Existing fire trails were widened to improve access for firefighters’ vehicles and four gullies were repaired to ensure safe vehicle access.

At Guanaba Reserve, the existing fire trail was extended by more than 200 metres and widened to enable fuel reduction and effective firefighting, reducing the risk to more than 27 properties.

Highly flammable slash pines were removed and additional fire tracks have been located strategically to enable hazard reduction burns that will have minimal impact on native plants and wildlife.

“While we cannot completely eliminate the threat of bushfire, there is much that can be done to reduce the risks,” Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen said.

“The 2019 bushfires in our region were a stark reminder of the need to be aware of the risks of bushfire in residential areas which are surrounded by large tracts of natural bushland.

“Although the works carried out to build and maintain these fire trails will go a long way to reducing the risk of bushfire in these reserves, residents also need to do their bit to reduce the risks of bushfire to their properties.

“Council is grateful for the funding support provided by the Queensland Government which has enabled us to undertake works to reduce the bushfire risk to our communities.”