2011 Code of Practice Review
The Code of Practice for Fire Management on Public Land is currently under review. A 60 day public consultation period was undertaken between October and December 2011.
It is anticipated the new Code will be tabled in parliament in mid 2012. Until the new Code is approved by Parliament, the current Code of Practice for Fire Management on Public Land (2006) remains in place Code of Practice for Fire Management on Public Land 2006.
What is the Code of Practice for Fire Management on Public Land (The Code)?
The Code of Practice for Fire Management on Public Land (the Code) establishes a framework for fire management (including planned burning and bushfire response) on Victoria’s public land.
Why is it being reviewed?
There are a number of reasons for reviewing the Code:
- The 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission recommended DSE amend the Code to achieve the following:
- provide a clear statement of objectives, expressed as measurable outcomes
- include an explicit risk-analysis model for more objective and transparent resolution of competing objectives, where human life is the highest priority
- specify the characteristics of fire management zones—including burn size, percentage area burnt within the prescribed burn, and residual fuel loading
- adopt the use of the term ‘bushfire’ rather than ‘wildfire’
- It has been five years since the Code was reviewed and in that time Victoria has experienced some of the worst bushfires in the country’s history and fire management has changed significantly.
What are the timelines?
The Consultation Draft was available for public comment for 60 days. The consultation period began on the 6th of October and finished on the 9th December 2011. Members of the public were able to make submissions on the Consultation Draft during this time.
It is anticipated that the final Code of Practice will be tabled in Parliament over Autumn 2012, and released by June 2012.
Project timelines are outlined below.
How to obtain a copy of the Consultation Draft Code?
- Download a copy
Consultation Draft Code
[PDF File - 7.0 MB]
Consultation Draft Code
[RTF File - 238.4 KB]
- Call the Customer Service Centre on 136 186 between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday
- Hardcopies are available at the following regional offices:
- Box Hill
30 Prospect St, Box Hill VIC 3128
Ph: (03) 9296 4400
- Traralgon
71 Hotham Street, Traralgon VIC 3844
Ph: (03) 5172 2111
- Ballarat
402-406 Mair Street, Ballarat VIC 3350
Ph: (03) 5336 6856
- Bendigo
Cnr Midland Highway and Taylor Street, Bendigo VIC 3550
Ph: (03) 5430 4444
- Bairnsdale
574 Main Street, Bairnsdale VIC 3875
Ph: (03) 5152 0600
- Benalla
89 Sydney Road, Benalla, VIC 3672
Ph: (03) 5761 1611
Please note: Document(s) on this page are presented in PDF format. If you do not have the Adobe Reader, you can download a copy free from the Adobe web site.