Bushfire Mitigation Programme
Call for
Applications:
Applications
are now sought for the 2008-09 funding round with a closing date of 30
June 2008.
The Bushfire
Mitigation Programme (BMP) is aimed at identifying and addressing bushfire
mitigation risk priorities.
It funds
construction and maintenance of fire trails and associated accessibility
measures that contribute to safer, sustainable communities better able to
prepare, respond to and withstand the effects of bushfires.
The specific
objective of the programme is to enhance the effectiveness of fire trail
networks and as a result increase the:
-
safety of fire fighting personnel involved in
a fire suppression effort;
-
rapidity with which fire suppression agencies
are able to access a fire; and
-
type of resources that can safely be made available to a fire suppression
effort.
This programme
is administered in Tasmania by the Tasmania
Fire Service.
Funding
Arrangements
In general,
funding is provided on a one third cost share arrangement between the
three levels of government. Where a state agency is the applicant, 50:50
cost share arrangements apply.
In-kind
contributions are permitted; the value of which must be detailed in the
application and expressed in monetary terms.
Eligibility
Organisations
eligible to apply for funding under the programme are:
-
local agencies responsible for bushfire management. Agencies may include,
but not be limited to, local governments, Indigenous community
councils and unincorporated remote communities; and
-
State Government agencies, where that agency is the relevant responsible
agency (eg fire services, state emergency services, environment
agencies).
Eligible
Projects
A range of fire
trail related mitigation works and measures qualify for funding under the
programme.
Eligible
projects may include:
-
fire trail construction,
-
maintenance of existing fire trails,
-
mapping, drainage and water supplies,
-
signage,
-
gates, and
-
associated works.
Ineligible
Projects
Projects that
will not generally be eligible for funding under the program include:
-
construction, maintenance and signage which are not primarily for fire
suppression and/or mitigation (eg constructed for the primary purpose
of commercial, recreational, tourism, stock movement, scientific
activities etc);
-
any projects approved under other Australian Government programs, eg the
Natural Heritage Trust; and
-
projects that seek reimbursement for works and measures already
undertaken.
What are
eligible locations?
Eligible
locations primarily include State crown land and council land. Where it is
deemed appropriate by the State, fire trails located on private land may
be eligible for programme funds. In such cases, the State must be
satisfied that appropriate liability, accessibility and on-going
maintenance are covered by a written agreement with the private land
holder.
Commonwealth
land will be excluded, as Commonwealth land owners will be expected to
meet their own responsibilities (including bushfire mitigation works).
How to
apply
Applications for funding under the programme will be sought
nationally on an annual basis. Invitations will be sent to local councils
seeking applications for suitable Bushfire Mitigation projects.
Hard
copies of the Application form may be sent to:
Tasmania Fire Commission
GPO Box 1526
Hobart TAS 7001
Electronic
copies may be mailed to the address above on CD or emailed to p.salter@fire.tas.gov.au
Closing Date: Applications
for funding in 2008-2009 under the Bushfire Mitigation Programme will
close on 30 June 2008.
Downloads
Bushfire
Mitigation Programme Application Form
Bushfire
Mitigation Programme Guidelines
Enquiries
Any questions regarding this
programme may be directed to Paul Salter of the Tasmania Fire Service.
Paul Salter
District Officer, Fire Management Unit
Tel: (03) 6230 8403
Email: p.salter@fire.tas.gov.au
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