2 March 2010, Melbourne

Victoria’s peak independent forestry body, the Victorian Association of Forest Industries (VAFI) has told the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission that prescribed burning is among the most cost and risk effective methods of reducing bushfire risk.

In a detailed witness statement presented by VAFI deputy CEO Lisa Marty is was claimed that:“Broad area prescribed burning changes a number of a fuel characteristics that will result in reduced
rate of spread, reduced spotting, reduce flame heights, reduced fire intensity and increased ease of
suppression for a period of time following the burn."

VAFI also stated that the contraction of the native forest industry has impacted on
fire management and suppression through a reduction of readily available equipment and a depleted
skilled workforce.

“The forest industries have made and can make very positive contributions to fire suppression efforts.
These include in-location equipment such as bulldozers, skilled machine operators with local
knowledge, experienced crews for fire fighting, revenue for access roads and tracks in State forest
areas and knowledge of those networks.”

Marty said it was also important that all Victorians understand the vital job forest industry workers
perform in fighting fires and reducing the fire risk through their many roles across rural and regional
Victoria.

The organisation believes there are opportunities for the industry to contribute further to protecting public
forests and private land from fire as part of an integrated approach to fire and forest management
across the landscape.

“The Victorian forest industry is vital if we are to maintain fire tracks, reduce fuel loads and provide
important firefighting infrastructure such as vehicles and personnel. The ongoing sustainable
management of our forests is an essential aspect in reducing the overall bushfire threat that our state
faces ever summer and protecting our forests, flora and fauna for all users.”

The commission is expected to announce its final recommendations in July.