86Designation of areas

86 Designation of areas

(1) In designating an area for the formation of a forestry industry brigade, the Authority must—

(a) identify an area, within a radius of 25 kilometres of a central point determined by the Authority, with one or more plantation holdings amounting to an aggregate of not less than 500 hectares—

(i) located wholly or partially within the area; or

(ii) contiguous with plantation holdings located wholly or partially within the area; and

(b) ensure that the designated area consists of—

(i) any plantation holding referred to in paragraph (a); and

(ii) any plantation holding located elsewhere in Victoria the relevant owner of which is a relevant owner of a plantation holding referred to in paragraph (a) and which does not fall within the designated area for another forestry industry brigade.

(2) Before designating an area for the formation of a forestry industry brigade, the Authority must consider the following matters—

(a) the size, location, topography, number and dispersion of the plantation holdings that will form the designated area;

(b) the characteristics of the area, including—

(i) the location of roads; and

(ii) the existing capacity for the suppression of fires; and

(iii) the past incidence of fire; and

(iv) the risk posed by fire to plantation holdings and the community.

(3) Before designating an area for the formation of a forestry industry brigade, the Authority must consult with a committee appointed by the Minister on the proposal to designate the area and the matters set out in subregulation (2).

(4) The committee must consist of—

(a) at least one person experienced in the forestry industry; and

(b) at least one person experienced in fire‑fighting in rural Victoria; and

(c) the Secretary to the Department of Justice and Community Safety or that Secretary's nominee.

(5) At least 30 days before designating an area for the formation of a forestry industry brigade, the Authority must give all relevant owners of land in the area a notice—

(a) specifying the reasons for the decision to designate the area; and

(b) identifying on a map the area to be designated.

(6) The Authority must keep a register of designated areas for forestry industry brigades available on the Internet site of the Authority.

(7) The Authority may vary the designated area of a forestry industry brigade after consulting with the relevant owner or group of relevant owners.