We will be conducting a controlled ecological burn at Cheltenham Park Flora and Fauna Reserve on Tuesday 19 March (or the next suitable working day, according to the weather).
The burn is expected to take approximately 2 hours between 10am and 12pm.
The main purpose of this burn is to stimulate the germination of the remnant indigenous Sandringham Heathland soil stored seed and return the area to a highly diverse heathland. The burn will be followed by extensive weed control. Post-burn maintenance will involve some ‘scorching’ of emerging weed seedlings. This management technique generates minimal smoke and may occur periodically in the fortnight following the burn.
The area of the burn site is approximately 4000m2. Site preparation has included clearing fire breaks and felling vegetation to provide fuel for the burn and reduce fuel loads in the surrounding area.
Staffed barriers will be placed across all paths leading past the burn on the day, to ensure that members of the public stay at a safe distance. There will be limited access to some areas of Cheltenham Park.
Nearby residents are advised to keep all doors and windows closed and remove any washing from the line on the morning of burn day.
In the morning, we will meet with Citywide on-site to determine whether the burn is safe to proceed.
Local residents, visitors and travelers passing close to Cheltenham Park can expect to see smoke visible during the day.
Fire Rescue Victoria has approved the procedures followed to conduct this burn. All reasonable precautions have been and will be taken to ensure this burn is safe, effective, and controlled.
