Fire season has arrived and while the threat is significantly lower than previous years, preparations are still taking place.
Almost three years ago to the day, East Gippsland was facing its biggest ever bushfire threat, one that rattled the region to its core - infrastructure and homes were destroyed, tourists were stranded, roads and highways were cut, lives were lost.Despite the events of the past, East Gippsland remains a popular tourist destination and while the coast is swelling with visitors, tourists are swooning over the High Country, which is continually being managed this time of year.
Trent Tomissen was last week surveying the bushland at Mt Delegate, near Bendoc, while a team of project firefighters (PFF) were at the base of Delegate Hill, as it is known, using chainsaws and brushcutters to clear the only road into the popular tourist destination.
Mr Tomissen said the work being carried out by a team of PFF's will allow better access to Mt Delegate for tourists.
He said with recent heavy rainfall around Bendoc, the bracken and dogwood "has really taken off".

IMAGE: Bairnsdale boys Will Grant and Ruben Kelly working at Bendoc last week. K431 - 6783