The Allan Labor Government is making sure schools across Victoria are well-prepared for the upcoming bushfire season by providing grants to clear vegetation growth and reduce the risk of fire.
Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes announced that 91 schools across northern Victoria are among the list of schools statewide that will share in $8.4 million, to carry out essential maintenance work as part of the Bushfire Preparedness Vegetation Program (BPVP).
The successful schools include,
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· Arthurs Creek Primary School · Badger Creek Primary School · Buxton Primary School · Christmas Hills Primary School · Chum Creek Primary School · Don Valley Primary School · Flowerdale Primary School · Gladysdale Primary School · Healesville High School · Healesville Primary School · Hoddles Creek Primary School · Hurstbridge Primary School · Jamieson Primary School · Kangaroo Ground Primary School · Kinglake Primary School · Kinglake West Primary School |
· Launching Place Primary School · Marysville Primary School · Merrijig Primary School · Middle Kinglake Primary School · Millwarra Primary School · Panton Hill Primary School · Rubicon Outdoor School · St Andrews Primary School · Strathewen Primary School · Toolangi Primary School · Upper Yarra Secondary College · Warburton Primary School · Wesburn Primary School · Woori Yallock Primary School · Yarra Junction Primary School · Yarra Me School |
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· Avenel Primary School · Benalla P-12 College · Heathcote Primary School · Longwood Primary School · Peranbin Primary College |
· Puckapunyal Primary School · Pyalong Primary School · Redesdale Mia Mia Primary School · Rushworth P-12 College · Tallarook Primary School |
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· Baranduda Primary School · Barnawartha Primary School · Beechworth Primary School · Beechworth Secondary College · Bethanga Primary School · Chiltern Primary School · Eskdale Primary School · Bright P-12 College · Dederang Primary School · Edi Upper Primary School · Falls Creek Primary School · Glenrowan Primary School · Greta Valley Primary School · Harrietville Primary School · Mount Beauty Primary School · Mount Beauty Secondary College |
· Osbornes Flat Primary School · Talgarno Primary School · Upper Sandy Creek Primary School · Wooragee Primary School · Yackandandah Primary School · Middle Indigo Primary School · Mitta Mitta Primary School · Myrrhee Primary School · Outdoor School · Porepunkah Primary School · Tawonga Primary School · The Alpine School · Wandiligong Primary School · Wangaratta Primary School · Whitfield District Primary School |
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· Beulah Primary School · Koorlong Primary School · Manangatang P-12 College · Murrayville Community College · Nangiloc Colignan and District Primary School · Woorinen District Primary School · Guthrie Street Primary School · Mooroopna North Primary School |
· Ouyen P-12 College · Tempy Primary School · Underbool Primary School · Werrimull P-12 School · Boort District P-12 School · Koondrook Primary School · Toolamba Primary School · Wunghnu Primary School |
The program was introduced in 2018 to help schools undertake essential vegetation clearance around the school buildings prior to the bushfire season and in line with municipal fire danger periods.
Schools receiving funds are listed on the Bushfire At-Risk Register (BARR). These schools are required to undertake vegetation works on a regular basis to reduce the risk of harm to the school’s community and buildings in the event of a bushfire.
The Bushfire Preparedness Vegetation Program also includes a School Support Program, providing two school visits to each participating schools by an accredited Bushfire Planning and Design consultant who develops a Vegetation Management Plan.
Schools can also engage additional bushfire related professional services – such as a Bushfire Attack Level expert – to provide further advice and support in reducing their bushfire risk.
Victoria is one of the most bushfire-prone areas in the world – that's why everyone should have a bushfire plan and the VicEmergency app downloaded on their phone. For more information on bushfire preparedness and to create your fire plan, visit fireplanner.vic.gov.au.
For a list of schools receiving funding under the Bushfire Preparedness Vegetation Program, visit www.vic.gov.au/bushfire-risk-register-barr.
Quotes attributable to Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll
“We know how devastating bushfires are – that’s why we’re continuing to support schools to be as fire-ready as possible.”
“We’re continuing to invest in the maintenance projects that matter most – to make sure all Victorian schools are in the best possible condition and to protect classrooms and facilities in the event of a bushfire.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Emergency Services Vicki Ward
"Bushfire season is just around the corner and now is the time for everyone at school, at work and at home to prepare property – doing this work now and having an action plan could save a life."
Quote attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes
“When you live near a bushfire prone area it’s important to be prepared – and these grants will help schools protect their classrooms and facilities in the event of a bushfire.”
