DARRAWEIT Guim and Lancefield Primary Schools will be well-prepared for the bushfire season, with both schools receiving grants to clear their vegetation growth, reducing the risk of fire.
The two schools were named by Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas alongside 19 other schools across the region which will share in $8.4 million to carry out essential maintenance work for the Bushfire Preparedness Vegetation Program.
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.
Ms Thomas said the grants will give the Macedon region the best chance to be prepared.
“When you live near a bushfire prone area it’s important to be prepared – and these grants will help twenty-one local schools in Macedon protect their community, classrooms and facilities in the event of a bushfire,” she said.
