Bundarrah Days

AT long last an an article of fire management in The Age that I can largely agree with, written by City of Manningham councillor. David Ellis.

http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/bushland-clearing-laws-a...

There is really only one statement in the article that I differ with and yet I agree with the sentiment.

It should now be clear that "conservation" in outer suburbs and in closely settled areas simply cannot be the same as for extensive tracts of forest and national parks. In the latter case, letting nature take its course and leaving dead and fallen trees is part of the continuing ecology.

Letting "nature take its course" in forests and national parks is not necessarily part of the continuing ecology. That's the approach that leads to feral wildfire emerging from bushland and wreaking its destruction on country towns and communities. Nonetheless, it's a fact as Cr Ellis points out that most local councils put neglected bush blocks on a pedestal and leave people with land in the vicinity of them living in death traps.

Who could disagree with Councillor Ellis's statement that wooded urban areas are often dangerously neglected? He's right there - neglected in the same sense as our forests and national parks are neglected.

Oh sure, ecology will adapt to feral fire but at what cost? The adaption results in drastic changes to the environment and an inevitable loss of biodiversity.

One thing is for sure. When even The Age is printing opinions well out of step with green policy the greens have a big credibility problem. Roll on The Royal Commission.