PREMIER MUST CONSIDER RISK ZONES

21st October 2009

State Member for Ferntree Gully Nick Wakeling today said he was writing to Premier John Brumby asking him to investigate whether families in high-fire risk zones in Knox City Council should have the 10/30 Right afforded to them.

"Concerned families living in high-risk fire zones in Knox have told me they want access to the 10/30 Right," Mr Wakeling said.

The 10/30 Right was introduced in September to allow residents in high-risk areas to better protect their homes. Twenty metropolitan municipalities, including Knox, were excluded from the changes to planning provisions.

"Given the number of residents that have expressed their concern to me, I believe there is an obligation on the Premier to investigate whether or not these families can also have the 10/30 Right afforded to them.

"I am writing to the Premier, on behalf of these concerned residents, asking him to examine what protocols for the application of the 10/30 Right could be established in relevant high-risk zones like Ferntree Gully," Mr Wakeling said.

"Such protocols should be established in consultation with the local council and other agencies such as the CFA."
Mr Wakeling said that in addition to writing to John Brumby, he would be raising the issue during the next sitting of Parliament.

/ends

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