Funds for fuel reduction

CALLS for bushfire cash to address issues such as burning off have been highlighted as one of the big-ticket items in the 2009-10 State Budget.
In a bid to reduce bushfire risk, $52.7 million has been allocated for fuel reduction burning across the state.
At a recent community fire meeting, burning off was highlighted as one of the top fire concerns among Dandenong Ranges residents. Fuel reduction burning and the protection of local habitat were also items of concern.
The budget also allocated more than $41.7 million to improve infrastructure for CFA and SES across the state.
This will include $21.1 million to replace 87 CFA trucks, $10.3 million for 15 new heavy rescue vehicles, seven four-wheel drives and 11 road crash rescue kits, and $10.3 million for 42 ultra-light tankers.