Council raises tourism burn-off worries
Posted
A north-east Victorian council is concerned increased fuel reduction burning could affect tourism.
A recent parliamentary inquiry report recommends prescribed burning be increased threefold to help control bushfires.
The inquiry found the size and intensity the bushfires in the past five years were the result of insufficient prescribed burning.
The chief executive officer of the Mansfield council, David Roff, says the council supports controlled burn-offs, but he is worried tourists will not visit if there is smoke around.
"Although we did raise some issues in regard to the impact on tourism, times of year when it's done and we appreciate there's a limited window for when that can occur," he said.
"I guess we're happy that at least the value of increased burning has been recognised and if that can occur without disrupting other things, that would be great."
