Comprised of more than 700 volunteers from brigades across the state, the CFA’s Planned Burn Taskforce (PBTF) is a “critical initiative to reduce the severity of bushfire, and protect lives, properties and the environment”, the CFA says.

Taskforce members have a variety of skills sets. Some have extensive burning experience and years of membership under their belts; others are newer CFA members who have recently completed their General Firefighter training. 

At its core, the taskforce’s efforts aim to reduce fuel loads. However, the proactive, coordinated approach to the burns not only helps safeguard communities, but also preserves natural habitats and biodiversity, promoting rejuvenation and resilience.

Members interested in joining the PBTF must complete General Firefighter, Entrapment Drill and Tree Hazard Awareness and have their captain’s approval. For more information visit Members Online. 

Rowville brigade firefighter Michelle Tie said being a member of the PBTF gave her the opportunity to be active across wider sections of the community.

A CFA member for five years and in the Planned Burn Taskforce for three, Michelle saw joining the group as an opportunity to get hands-on experience with fire after completing her General Firefighter training.

“I hadn’t done any planned burning prior to joining the taskforce. It’s a fantastic way to learn and build experience, and I have learned so much ‘on the job’.”

Michelle said she was initially nervous attending her first burn with the taskforce because she was the only member from her brigade, but she found the group to be incredibly supportive.

“By stepping outside of my comfort zone, I have learned so much about fire behaviour especially across different environments which are often very different to the usual callouts we get at Rowville,” Michelle said.

“I came away from that first burn a much more confident firefighter.

“I love working with different brigades and members from across the state – the camaraderie makes me incredibly proud to be a part of CFA.” 

Michelle believes that the success of the PBTF lies in its ability to support brigades to achieve local and state goals. 

“It’s so vital that brigades have access to the support, skills and experience of the wider CFA community to manage their fire risk,” she said.

“At the end of the day, this makes Victoria safer for everyone.”

With 21 years of membership under his belt, a change in career gave Bulla Captain Elvis Crook more flexibility in his availability so he put himself forward for the PBTF.

“I’ve participated in a number of planned burns over the years. I thought the taskforce would be a good opportunity to network with members from across the state as well as keep my fireground skills sharp,” he said.

“There is no better means of observing fire behaviour in a controlled environment which ultimately benefits your skills throughout an active fire season. 

“An added benefit of having such a broad group of members together from across the state is being able to informally share information and ideas.”

Elvis said that without the taskforce many critical burns wouldn’t go ahead as regularly. 

“I remember a burn earlier in the year where I was on a local truck with the brigade captain. The rest of the crew was from the PBTF. 

“He was very thankful that we were there to crew the truck as the burn we were doing would help protect his land and that of other community members.” 

Elvis says that if you are thinking of joining the taskforce – do it!

“The thing I enjoy the most is the camaraderie. The taskforce is like a family; I have made connections with other members who I now call friends. 

“Attending a burn is also training in itself. I’d highly recommend any newer members who have not had a lot of fireground experience or might be with a brigade with low call numbers to join to build on their experience.

“I’ve been in the CFA a long time and haven’t immediately felt so at home like I do with this crew.”

After an extensive search, the Victorian state government has appointed Greg Leach as the new Chief Executive Officer for the CFA.

Mr Leach brings extensive emergency management expertise to the role, with a career spanning more than three decades working across senior leadership roles in four emergency services agencies in both Victoria and Queensland (Ambulance Victoria, Melbourne Metropolitan Fire Brigade, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services and Victoria State Emergency Service). 

He is a current member of the Board of the Australasian Fire and Emergency Services Council (AFAC).

Mr Leach started his service with CFA as a volunteer in 1978, before commencing in 1988 in a staff position in Bendigo.

During his time with CFA, he performed various operational roles including Operations Manager (Regional Officer) and Manager, Structural Fire Planning. 

From these very early days Mr Leach has had a passion for supporting volunteers in the vital work they do in protecting the community. 

Since October 2023, Mr Leach has served as the Chief Executive Officer of the VICSES.  In this capacity, he has been instrumental in championing a significant health, safety, and wellbeing program to support the mental and physical health of SES volunteers and staff as well as overseeing a review of the VICSES Operating Model.

Mr Leach will begin work in the role on November 18.

The state government is rolling out a major road maintenance blitz to rebuild, repair, and resurface roads right across Victoria – fuelled by the largest single-year investment in road maintenance in the state’s history. 

Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne this week launched the $964 million road maintenance blitz at the South Geelong depot of Fulton Hogan, one of the contractors that will deliver these works between now and mid-2025. 

An army of road workers will begin delivering the equivalent of $2.6 million worth of works for every day of the year – with around 70 per cent of funding going to regional Victoria. 

Over the next nine months, crews will complete thousands of projects on our network, ranging from road rehabilitation and resurfacing, to patching potholes and maintaining bridges, traffic lights, signage and road infrastructure. 

To deliver major works such as road rebuilding and rehabilitation, there must be extended periods of warmer and drier conditions, which is why most work is done between now and May each year – ensuring repairs last.

 In Macedon the following roads are included: 

• Gisborne-Kilmore Road 

• Tylden -Woodend Road 

• Kilmore- Lancefield Road 

• Heathcote-Kyneton Road 

With roads nearby including: 

• Vineyard Road Sunbury 

• Midland Hwy between Blampied and Newlyn 

• Bendigo Redesdale Road 

Repeated flooding and above-average rainfall caused unprecedented damage to many of the state’s roads which meant the maintenance program needed to focus on rebuilding damaged roads last year as simply resurfacing these roads would not have prevented further degradation. 

Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne: “We’re investing nearly a billion dollars to rebuild and repair the roads that Victorians depend on every single day — from the highways connecting our major centres to the local roads that keep our communities moving.”

“Crews will be out delivering $2.6 million of works every day for a year – with around 70 per cent of all funding going towards our regional roads.”

The Big Aussie Bird Count is happening again and there’s still time to be involved in the nation-wide citizen science event which helps gain a birds’ eye view on how our feathered friends are faring.

Held over National Bird Week, which started on Monday October 14 and runs through to Sunday 20, the annual Aussie Bird Count is one of Australia’s biggest citizen science events.

Every year, tens of thousands of Australians of all ages and experiences join Birdlife Australia in observing and counting the birds we live with every day in our parks, gardens, reserves, agricultural land, forests and even in our streets and back yards.

In 2023, over 60,500 participants counted a staggering 3,608,545 birds ‒ and everyone can help Birdlife Australia make this year’s count their biggest yet. 

To participate you simply spend 20 minutes in the one place watching, counting and recording the birds that you see.

You then enter your location in the app (or through our online web form) and the name and number of each bird species you see

You then submit your count after your 20 minutes is up.

Those keen to be part of the count can find out more on the Birdlife Australia website and can Register for the 2024 Aussie Bird Count here .

A man has been arrested and charged following a crash in the Bendigo suburb of Kangaroo Flat last week.

Police had responded to a dispute between a man and a woman on Woolcock Avenue on Thursday, October 10 about 5.10pm.

They did not locate the pair.

Officers spotted a Ford utility towing a caravan on Helm Street and attempted to intercept it before the ute drove away.

A short time later, police responded to a crash on Woolcock Avenue where it is alleged a Ford utility crashed into the front lounge-room of a house.

A child inside the house at the time, was unharmed.

The house was left with significant structural damage following the incident.

The driver of the car and sole occupant was arrested and assessed by paramedics at the scene.

A 44-year-old Seymour man was interviewed and charged with conduct endangering life, criminal damage and dangerous driving while pursued by police.

He had been remanded in custody to appear at the Bendigo Magistrates’ Court last Friday

The CFA is urging residents to prepare their properties ahead of the fire danger period, with parts of Victoria facing an early start to fire season.

The AFAC seasonal outlook for Spring, released last month, predicts an increased fire risk in west and southwest Victoria, following a notably dry Autumn and Winter.  

Considering the outlook, CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan stressed the importance of early preparation this spring. 

“An earlier start to the fire season means community members need to start preparations now,” Chief Officer Heffernan said. 

“By removing light and heavy fuels around your home, you’re protecting your property and helping firefighters defend it.  

“Simple tasks such as clearing gutters, pruning overhanging branches, maintaining grass at a safe height, and moving wood piles away from your house or shed can greatly improve your property’s chances of withstanding a bushfire.” 

Tim Chandler, Managing Director of Cave Hill Creek and 4th Lieutenant of the Raglan Fire Brigade knows firsthand the value of thorough property preparation.  

When the Bayindeen fire threatened his property earlier this year, his plan was quickly put to the test. 

“On the day of the fire, we had 120 kids on-site, so the priority was evacuating them calmly and safely,” Tim said.  

“After that, we spent about an hour preparing the property. We put towels and sheets in the downpipes, turned on the roof sprinklers and soaked the venue. We also removed the doormats and turned off the power.” 

Tim then joined his brigade, spending the next 12 to 14 hours fighting the fire and wondered what was happening back at his property.  

“While I was on the fire truck, there were four of us whose properties came under threat at some stage,” Tim said.  

“The fire burnt a lot of our grounds, but all the buildings we had spent time defending survived.  

“A lot of people have told us we were very lucky. I agree with them, but I also say we created our own luck. 

“By preparing properly and making the right decisions over a number of years, things are more likely to go your way.” 

The Bayindeen fires burned for over two weeks in the Pyrenees Shire and consumed more than 22,000 hectares of farmland and state forest. Remarkably, only seven homes were lost, highlighting how residents’ preparations assisted CFA in defending properties. 

Tim stressed that every household should take the time to create a plan for their property and their family. 

“Sit down with your family or household, write down your bushfire survival plan, keep it somewhere visible, and practice it,” he said.  

“Being prepared saves lives, and it could save your home.” 

Taskforce Lunar detectives have made more than 80 arrests and executed over 200 search warrants in the first year of operation, Victoria Police say.

Established in October 2023, Taskforce Lunar targets organised crime syndicates and their involvement in the illicit tobacco trade in Victoria.

Whilst illicit tobacco doesn’t generally sit within state law enforcement responsibility, the increased prevalence of serious and organised crime, including arson, extortion and firearms related violence necessitates it being a top priority for Victoria Police.

Since its inception the Taskforce has arrested 82 people, many of these offenders have been charged with serious offences including extortion, arson, firearms offences and aggravated burglary.

Detectives, along with the assistance of other state, territory and national partners have executed over 200 search warrants of tobacco stores around Victoria, suspected of selling illicit tobacco and vapes.

These warrants have resulted in the seizure of cash, illicit tobacco and vapes with the total value in excess of $37 million, as well 19 firearms, including seven handguns.

Since October 2023, there have been 105 arson attacks at, or linked to, tobacco stores around the state.

Detectives believe that most of the stores targeted sell illicit tobacco and vapes.

Victoria Police continue to investigate these incidents of arson, a dangerous weapon used by feuding organised crime groups.

Taskforce Lunar detectives have, and continue to, engage directly with tobacco shops and landlords in a bid to reduce the risk of arson and extortion which not only impact the tobacco stores but neighbouring businesses and the broader community.

Whilst the majority of these fires have resulted in no injuries, they are often targeted to shops in residential areas or part of residential buildings.

Taskforce Lunar detectives continue to work with a range of specialised Victoria Police resources including the Crime Scene and Forensic Officers, Gang Crime Squad, Arson and Explosives Squad, Echo Taskforce, Viper Taskforce and Criminal Proceeds Squad.

The taskforce also works with regional police to target serious and organised crime linked to the illicit tobacco and vape trade in regional areas of Victoria.

Victoria Police continues to support local councils and the Department of Health, Victoria who have reasonability for tobacco and vape enforcement and compliance.

Detectives continue to work alongside external agencies such as the ABF, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, AFP, Australian Taxation Office and interstate counterparts as some are now facing similar patterns of offending.

Victoria Police has identified a number of organised crime syndicates, including state, national and global organise crime syndicates involved in the illicit tobacco conflict.

These syndicates are comprised of personnel from Middle Eastern Organised Crime groups and Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs, who are then engaging local networked youth, and youth gangs to carry out the offending.

Investigators continue to appeal to anyone, especially store owners and staff, who has information about these incidents and who is responsible to come forward.

Anyone with information about these incidents or with further information about illicit tobacco and serious organised crime is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Victoria’s state government says it is empowering thousands of young Victorians to protect and care for the state’s natural environment and wildlife into the future. 

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas last week celebrated the achievements of four local schools recognised as part of the Victorian Junior Landcare and Biodiversity Grants program.

 • St. Michael’s Primary School in Daylesford will receive $4,999 for their Biodiversity Nature Trail

 • St. Brigid’s Primary School in Gisborne will receive $4000 to improving Gisborne Botanical Gardens’ biodiversity by planting indigenous vegetation and creating habitats.

 • Hesket Primary School will receive $1750 for their Biodiversity Blitz

 • Candlebark School will receive $567 for the Tye Estate BioBlitz 

The Victorian Junior Landcare and Biodiversity Grants program has awarded more than $409,000 to support the important work of 103 childcare centres, kindergartens, schools, Scouts, Guides and youth groups. 

Grants of up to $5,000 were awarded for educational activities that engage children conservation and environmental projects that improve and expand habitat for native plants, insects and wildlife. 

Since 2018, $3 million has been invested to support more than 47,000 young people undertake on-ground conservation projects and activities. 

Since then, these initiatives have achieved incredible results – including 99,000 new indigenous plantings and more than 1000 student excursions to wildlife sanctuaries. 

The Victorian Landcare Program forms part of the Labor Government’s continued commitment to combat the decline of the state’s native plants and animals, building on a record $609 million investment in the delivery of Victoria’s landmark 20-year Biodiversity plan since 2014.

Anyone keen to get more information about the Victorian Junior Landcare and Biodiversity Grants program can visit environment.vic.gov.au/grants/victorian-junior-landcare-and-biodiversity-grants. 

The state government says it’s taking action to help protect Victorian newborns and infants from Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) next winter as part of a free hybrid immunisation program. 

Member for Macedon and Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas has announced $18.7 million to deliver a new long-acting monoclonal antibody as part of a coordinated national prevention program for unprotected newborns and eligible infants up to eight months. 

The free infant vaccine will complement an expected Commonwealth-funded maternal vaccine as part of the coordinated national program – ensuring as many babies are protected from RSV as possible. 

The monoclonal antibody is a long-acting vaccine that will be available for Victorian babies and infants whose mother was unable to be immunised or was immunised less than two weeks before delivery. 

The infant vaccine provides protection for about five months, which covers the winter peak of RSV infections from April to September. 

A dedicated catch-up program will also be offered for eligible Victorian infants aged up to two years who are vulnerable to severe RSV and entering their second RSV season. 

In most cases, immunisations will be administered in a hospital setting as part of standard post-birth care, helping parents avoid any additional healthcare costs and time spent attending appointments. 

For the 2024 RSV season, Victoria secured doses of the antibody for infants and children at the most severe risk from the virus.

 RSV is not new and can cause respiratory infections in the airways and lungs such as bronchiolitis, pneumonia – it is especially common in infants and young children, with most infected by the age of two years. 

With more than 3,800 infant RSV-associated ED presentations in 2023/24 and approximately 85 per cent of those requiring a hospital admission, this vaccine will help reduce pressure on EDs and keep Victorian babies healthy. 

Those keen to know more can visit betterhealth.vic.gov.au/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv. 

Romsey Fire Brigade has welcomed a new medium tanker into its engine bay and celebrated the official handover with members and dignitaries.

Local member Mary-Anne Thomas MP officially handed over the keys to the medium tanker to brigade members last Thursday 3 October.  

Romsey Fire Brigade Captain Nic Needham said the new vehicle will enhance firefighter safety with modern features.  

“The Hino GT medium tanker provides almost 2,500 litres of useable firefighting water,” Nic said.   

“It has front-mounted monitor (suppression system) which allows for in-vehicle firefighting, and a 4WD crew cabin, which allows a crew of five to travel safely together in the cabin, and greater off-road capability.” 

Averaging 85 callouts per year, and with 44 brigade members, Nic said the new tanker is a fantastic addition to the fleet before the upcoming fire season.  

“All of the members are super excited to have a new vehicle,” he said. 

“The vehicle couldn’t arrive at a more opportune time, and to be able to put it online prior to the fire season is a real plus. 

“It gives us an operating platform to work from and allows us to switch out whether we send tanker one or tanker two on strike teams, giving us more capacity.”

Already allocated a light pumper, heavy tanker and a brigade funded forward control vehicle (FCV), the brigade is looking forward to further supporting its catchment with its new brigade tanker. 

The new tanker replaces a single-cab two-wheel drive tanker and was purchased through the Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP), with a total cost of $392,000 and a generous brigade contribution of $58,000. 

“If the pumper and tanker attend a callout it gives us the ability to leave a firefighting appliance in the town that can provide coverage from a structural and wildfire perspective,” Nic said.  

Voters enrolled in Hepburn Shire Council should have received their ballot packs to vote in this month’s local government election – or should check the mail, the Victorian Electoral Commission says.

Electoral Commissioner Sven Bluemmel has been encouraging people to vote as early as possible.  

‘This election is postal, so it’s important to complete and return your ballot material as soon as possible to make sure your vote counts,’ Mr Bluemmel said. 

Ballot material must be in the mail or delivered to the election office at 79A Raglan Street, Daylesford by 6 pm Friday 25 October. 

Voters who haven’t received their ballot pack by today, Tuesday 15 October should go to vec.vic.gov.au to complete an online replacement ballot pack form. 

Candidates who have nominated for the election are listed in the ballot packs and on the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) website at vec.vic.gov.au If candidates have provided them, there will also be candidate photos and statements in the packs, and answers to the candidate questionnaire online. 

Voting is compulsory for all voters who were enrolled for this election at 4 pm Wednesday 7 August. Voters who don’t vote may be fined.

Victoria’s state government is carrying out reform, including of the Victorian Suicide Prevention and Response Strategy 2024-2034, in a bid to prevent Victorians from taking their own lives.

The main aim of the strategy is to reduce suicide rates, and suicide prevention and response will also be elevated across government decision making.

The strategy is designed to address the impacts of suicide by creating a government and community-wide response.

“Suicide has a long-lasting and far-reaching effect on our communities,” said Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt.

“It’s why we listened and learned from those with lived experience to identify and respond to the factors that contribute to and protect against suicide,”

The strategy was a recommendation from the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System and is supported by an implementation plan.

It was developed with the support of clinicians and experts, and includes the input of people with lived experience.

If you or someone you know needs mental health support, visit beyondblue.org.au or call their 24/7 hotline on 1300 22 4636. You can also visit lifeline.org.au or call them on 13 11 14 and help for young people is available at kidshelpline.com.au or by calling them on 1800 55 1800.

The Intersection of Leadership and Truth will be the focus when ABC chair Kim Williams delivers this year’s Menzies Oration at Federation University’s SMB (School of Mines Ballarat) Campus on October 30.

Williams’ topic is expected to explore the importance of clarity, transparency, accountability and trust in leadership.

The topic is widely recognised as being especially critical in an era where truth is too often obscured by misinformation, propaganda and sensationalism.

Mr Williams has had a lengthy involvement in the entertainment and media industries both nationally and overseas.

He was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia in June 2006 for his services to the arts and public policy formulation in the film and television industries.

In October 2009 he was awarded a Doctorate of Letters (Honoris Causa) by Macquarie University for his contribution to the arts and entertainment industry in Australia and internationally.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese appointed Williams as the 20th chair of the ABC in January this year.

He has held various executive leadership positions since the late 1970s including as chief executive at News Corp Australia, FOXTEL, Fox Studios Australia, the Australian Film Commission, Southern Star Entertainment and Music Viva Australia, and also as a senior executive at the ABC.

The upcoming 2024 Menzies Oration will be held from 6pm to 7.15pm at the IBM Emerging Technologies Hub, Building T, at Ballarat’s Lydiard Street South campus.

People can participate either in person or online but registrations must be submitted by 23 October via Eventbrite.

The annual Menzies Oration is part of a lecture program organised and run by the Menzies Foundation, a philanthropic trust established in 1979 with funding from a public appeal and supplemented by government investment, to commemorate the life and achievements of Sir Robert Menzies, who was Australia’s longest serving prime minister.

It is a non-political, not-for-profit organisation that relies on donations and bequests to supplement its investment income.

The Small Business Bus will be visiting Creswick on Monday, 28 October, from 10 am – 4 pm.

The state’s Small Business Bus can provide help to locals keen to develop their own small business ideas and capabilities, whether starting, building, or transforming a business,

The Hepburn Shire Council is encouraging local business owners and operators to book their place for a free and confidential 45-minute session.

Local business operators, or those keen to start a new business in the Hepburn Shire area can also walk-in to find out more about general information and support available from Business Victoria.

Those can to find out more and book a place are being encouraged to go to https://ow.ly/aZHr50TBTZI

The Small Business Bus helps small businesses across Melbourne and rural Victoria develop their business ideas and capabilities.

It rolls into town fully equipped with expert advisers to provide general business assistance as well as financial and wellbeing support from trained experts.

The state’s asthma and hayfever sufferers are being warned to plan ahead for high to extreme pollen count days expected to peak in the coming months, increasing the possibility of dangerous thunderstorm asthma events.

Thunderstorm asthma events are thought to be triggered by an unusual mix of high levels of grass pollen and a certain type of thunderstorm.

During these storms tiny pollen grains from grasses can be swept up in the wind and carried long distances.  When exposed to this air, the tiny particles of pollen are breathed deep into your lungs, triggering an asthma flare-up or attack. 

Although the official pollen season starts in October, the highest number of extreme pollen days in the Ballarat region are recorded in November and December according to data from Melbourne Pollen Count and Forecast’s Creswick monitoring station.

Since pollen monitoring began in Victoria in 2017 after a major 2016 thunderstorm asthma event which resulted in the deaths of 10 people statewide there have generally been only a handful of high or extreme pollen days recorded in October – but up to 23 extreme days in December.

This year, with a forecast for above-average spring rainfall, a burst of grass growth is anticipated toward the end of the season in November-December – potentially bad news for people with hayfever and asthma.

Although the Creswick pollen monitoring station, based at the University of Melbourne campus, was down for part of the pollen season last year, it still recorded 14 extreme and 20 high pollen days.

Data from the eight pollen monitoring sites across the state are used, together with weather forecasts, to help provide thunderstorm asthma alerts and pollen advice.