We, the undersigned residents and members of the local community, request that the Tasmania Fire Service (TFS) hold a community meeting before proceeding with the proposed Marlyn Road planned burn.

We recognise the importance of managing bushfire risk and protecting local residents and properties. However, there is considerable community concern about the proposed burn and its potential impacts on the environmental values of this bushland, including threatened and sensitive species, including orchids and mature habitat trees.

Residents would like an opportunity to understand the risk assessment and environmental justification for the burn, the alternatives considered, and the measures proposed to protect identified natural values. There is also important local knowledge about the site that residents would like the opportunity to share with TFS.

Residents were given relatively little notice of the proposed burn, and we do not believe the earlier meeting concerning the Strickland Avenue burn provided adequate consultation for residents affected by the separate Marlyn Road/Old Farm Road proposal.

We therefore ask TFS to meet with the local community before the Marlyn Road planned burn proceeds and to provide sufficient time for residents’ concerns and local environmental knowledge to be considered.