Living With the Bush

RESIDENTS of the small tinder-dry town of Maryknoll are being put on notice to clear their properties of potential fire dangers.

Visiting the 600-population town centre on Friday, Cardinia Mayor Bill Pearson said he was staggered that Maryknoll had been left off the State Government's list of the state's 52 most vulnerable bushfire towns.

"Maryknoll is one of the most picturesque towns in Victoria, and the most dangerous in a bushfire," Cr Pearson said.

Joined by Bass MP Ken Smith, Cr Pearson visited Maryknoll last Friday to highlight the importance of new vegetation-clearing legislation.

Under the "10/30" rule, Victorian landowners have the right to clear any vegetation on their own property, including trees, within 10metres of a house and ground fuel to within 30metres.

"We can't leave it all to the CFA," Mr Smith said. "It's up to people to take responsibility for their own lives and the lives of their neighbours."

Mr Smith said the land-clearing rules had to change. "Local government in some cases was being conned into leaving every tree. Councils must be realistic about public safety."

Cr Pearson dismissed claims that the legislation would encourage a "chainsaw mentality" in residents. "You don't come and live here if you don't love trees and the bush."

But Cardinia Environment Coalition committee member Kelly Brooks-MacMillan said she was concerned vegetation clearing could denude areas and have a devastating effect on the environment.

"People react on their fears. If they're not educated properly about vegetation off-setting or clearing, they can easily destroy habitats."

Cr Pearson said it was a possibility the shire would limit where people could build in areas where mobile communication and road access was limited.

The clearing rights pertain to all of Victoria except the 20 Melbourne metropolitan councils.
BY GILBERT GARDINER 14/09/2009 12:03:00 PM
http://www.berwickjournal.com.au/news/local/news/general/maryknoll-on-a-warning/1622772.aspx