Getting information to the community

Forestry Tasmania, Parks and Wildlife and the Tasmanian Fire Service have begun implementing a communication program to keep the community informed about this year’s Fuel Reduction Burning Program.


The Tasmanian Government is contributing $625,000 a year to enable the three fire management agencies to carry out planned burns in autumn and winter to reduce the risk of major wildlfires in Tasmania.

The program was initiated last year following the devastating East Coast bushfires. The three agencies recognise the importance of keeping the community informed of the planned burning program.

To this end a brochure Fire Managing the Risks has now been widely distributed throughout the state and is available at the offices of the three agencies and tourism outlets. The brochure is supported by television advertisements. To download a brochure in Adobe Acrobat PDF format click here.

More hard copies are available by ringing Sandra Grey on 62 33 8203.



The fuel reduction burns will commence in autumn and winter when weather conditions are ideal. To ensure the community, particularly communities close to the seven planned burn areas, are kept informed Forestry Tasmania will be using its Community Access Bus (CAB) to travel to towns in the vicinity of the fuel reduction burns.

The CAB has been designed to allow community members to access information on a variety of different topics in a relaxed environment right on their back doorstep.

The CAB will also be available to other organisations that require sponsorship to become more accessible to the community. Lifeline is going to be the first recipient of a Community Access Bus sponsorship by taking the CAB to AGFEST and will be jointly launching the bus in the Devonport Mall on Monday the 31st March at 1pm.

There has already been strong support for this project. Lifeline is going to help Forestry Tasmania launch the CAB as the first official sponsorship recipient but there are other organisations and individuals that have also expressed an interest in utilising the CAB.

Lifeline is a valuable service to the community, being there for those in need of someone to listen. With many Tasmanian’s living in regional areas Forestry Tasmania is pleased to be able to assist Lifeline in reaching out to them, particularly in times of drought.

NU energy in Derwent Park are powering the CAB with a full solar power system to reduce the carbon footprint of the vehicle. Forestry Tasmania will also be handing out plants or “carbon eaters” to offset the carbon produced in travel.

For more information on the Community Access Bus please contact Claire Bennett on (03) 6233 8244 or email claire.bennett@forestrytas.com.au
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