The Victorian government has confirmed funding for a number of schools in the Rural city of Wangaratta to help them prepare for the upcoming bushfire season by clearing vegetation growth and reducing the risk of fire. Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll said 330 government schools would share in $8.4 million to carry out essential maintenance work as part of the Bushfire Preparedness Vegetation Program (BPVP). He said Beechworth, Barnawartha, Chiltern, Yackandandah, Wooragee and Osbornes Flat primary schools had all received grants along with Beechworth Secondary College. "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," Minister Carroll said. "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." For more information on bushfire preparedness and to create your fire plan, visit fireplanner.vic.gov.au.
