Upper Beaconsfield Bushfire and Biodiversity Tool

The Victorian State Government’s  Safer Together  program funded this community led project.

The project was supported by local government, land and fire agencies, academics, environment and fire experts. 

This project is a great example of shared responsibility for reducing bushfire risk. 

 “To best manage bushfires, it is important that communities and government organisations come together to understand bushfire risk, agree on strategies, and then work both individually and collaboratively to fulfil their individual and shared responsibilities.” 

There is a rich history of Safer Together projects where local government, land and fire agencies and community have worked together. This project builds on the success of the previous work.

Feedback from the survey uncovered some key aspects of the community demographics and their values:

Therefore, responsibility to mitigate bushfire risk in the local area is shared.

People are connected to the area, they care about local community and many are long time residents.

The risk of fire danger does not discourage the community from living in the area.

Upper Beaconsfield, Guys Hills and Dewhurst host an array of habitat types, that support many flora and fauna groups.

Located at the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges, close to parks and reserves, the area provides important habitat connectivity for native species.

 Use this interactive map to explore Victoria's biodiversity values yourself 

Bushfires have affected Upper Beaconsfield and surrounds regularly through history. See the link below for further reading about the history of bushfires in the area through the 1800’s and 1900’s.