The State Government has supported a number of schools across Victoria, including in Cardinia, to prepare for the upcoming bushfire season by providing grants to cut back vegetation growth and reduce the risk of fire.
Education Minister Ben Carroll announced 332 government schools would share in more than $8.4 million to carry out essential maintenance work through the Bushfire Preparedness Vegetation Program (BPVP). Cardinia recipients included Beaconsfield Upper Primary School ($28,956); Bunyip Primary School ($27,021); Cockatoo Primary School ($26,534); Drouin Secondary College ($20,961); Emerald Primary School ($30,001); Emerald Secondary College ($35,562); Jindivick Primary School ($20,280); Macclesfield Primary School ($26,620); and Menzies Creek Primary School ($24,760).
Introduced in 2018, the program has helped schools undertake essential vegetation clearance around school buildings prior to the bushfire season and in accordance with municipal fire danger periods.
Schools receiving funds were listed on the Bushfire at Risk Register (BARR), with the work aimed at mitigating the risk of harm to the school’s community and buildings in the event of a bushfire.
The BPVP has also provided a School Support Program, where an accredited Bushfire Planning and Design consultant visits a school twice a year to help them prepare for the upcoming bushfire season while also making sure they complete a Vegetation Management Plan every three years.
Mr Carroll said the grants would help protect classrooms and facilities in the event of a bushfire.
“We know how devastating bushfires are and just how long-lasting their impacts can be, and that’s why we’re continuing to support schools to be as fire-ready as possible,” he said.
“These grants will help more than 330 schools at risk of fire clear vegetation.”
