Safety on Public Land
The intent of public safety zones is to:
- protect flora and fauna — for example, to allow rehabilitation of a site in a heavily used area or, to allow for forest regeneration following a bushfire or other disturbance
- protect water, soil, natural, cultural or historical values such as: restricting access to water supply infrastructure; to minimise soil erosion following heavy rainfalls; or to temporarily restrict vehicle traffic to a historic mine or other place of significance
- ensure the safe conduct of timber harvesting operations
- better manage public recreational activities such as restricting access to allow for preparation for public events such as car rallies, music festivals or orienteering events
- protect sites where scientific or research investigations or educational activities are being conducted
- allow the orderly and safe management of fuel reduction and fire suppression activities
- maintain public safety in events such as landslips, floods and at times of Code Red fire danger rating forecast.
Public Safety Zones
Declarations of public safety zones are published in the Victoria Government Gazette. The files and link below contain the information published in the Victorian Government Gazettee.
The Department of Sustainability and Environment is responsible for the declaration of Code Red public safety zones.
Overview maps and gazette notices of the current State forest public safety zones in the Bureau of Meteorolgy Weather Forecast Districts for Code Red fire danger-rated days are provided below:
The public safety zones can also be viewed using DSE's online mapping Portal, Forest Explorer, available from the Forest maps page.
These maps may be viewed in print at the Department of Sustainability and Environment head office, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne 3002 and regional offices at Bendigo, Ballarat, Benalla, Bairnsdale and Traralgon. To view the maps at the DSE head office, an appointment must be made with the Operational Policy and Practices Officer, enquire at the customer service centre 136 186.
The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is responsible for public safety zones for commercial timber harvesting. For more information please visit the DPI website.
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.