Controlled burns to start on Castle Hill
Date published: 7 December 2016
Controlled burning will commence on Castle Hill today.
The program was scheduled to start in the West End area above Green Street yesterday, but was delayed after a water truck broke down.
The burns are part of council’s annual program to provide a protective buffer for residential areas and will continue around the hill for approximately three weeks, weather permitting.
Community Health and Environment Committee chair Cr Ann-Maree Greaney said the annual burns would be closely monitored by experienced Townsville City Council officers in conjunction with the Queensland Fire Service.
“We don’t want people to become complacent though so if people do witness fire or smoke at unusual hours late at night or fire that appears uncontrolled, I would encourage them to phone triple zero as a precaution,” Cr Greaney said.
“People using the hill should also take care and follow any directions from staff during the controlled burns.
“There may be temporary closures of the tracks for safety reasons. Controllers will be stationed at tracks to inform people of any delay and Castle Hill Road is expected to remain open.”
The annual program is undertaken in favourable weather conditions and conducted in accordance with the Castle Hill Management Plan.
