Strengthening Fire Protection for the Upper Yarra Catchment
Melbourne Water recently finished key fire-prevention work ahead of the Australia Day long weekend in the Black Range to help protect the Upper Yarra Catchment, after a period of very high fire risk in the area.
The Black Range sits north-east of the Upper Yarra Reservoir, forming part of the forested landscape that surrounds and shields one of Melbourne’s most important drinking water catchments.
Because of its position, strengthening containment lines in this area is crucial to preventing fire from moving south toward the reservoir and the closed catchment forests that provide some of the world’s best drinking water for Melbourne.
In the past few weeks, our crews worked with the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) as part of the Catchment Protection Taskforce. Together, we prepared and improved roads and tracks so firefighters can safely reach the area if the Longwood fire gets closer to Melbourne’s drinking water catchments.
This work is an important way Melbourne Water protects the forests that provide most of the city’s drinking water. Preventing fire from entering these closed catchments is one of the best ways we keep water quality high for everyone.
Crews removed hazardous trees, cleared the sides of tracks, and improved access along over 24km of existing tracks, such as Jacksons Break, Whiting Break, Stillman Track, and Simmonds Track. These improved routes now give firefighters a stronger backup network if the area faces a fire or needs backburning.
Crews also worked along the 41km Black Range Road Strategic Fuel Break, making one of the area’s main containment lines stronger. They improved Ure Break and the north-south powerline easement to give firefighters more ways to control fire movement.
All activity was confined to existing disturbed areas and delivered under strict environmental and cultural heritage protections to ensure the surrounding forest and waterways remain healthy.
In total, more than 88km of strategic containment lines have now been strengthened across the Black Range. This work has significantly enhanced fire readiness and supports ongoing protection of Melbourne’s drinking water catchments.
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