 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
FERAL FIRES WILL THEY RETURN?
HONOR ROLL FOREST FIRE CHIEFS CLICK TO VIEW |
BUSHFIRES ROYAL COMMISSION COALITION COMMITMENT?
On 31 July 2010, after 18 months of deliberation, the Teague Royal Commission handed down its report into the bushfires of 7th February 2009 in which 173 persons perished, and many townships were destroyed, 67 recommendations were proposed. Complete details of the Royal Commission Report can be viewed or downloaded from their website, click here.
On 27th November a Liberal - National Coalition government was elected to both houses of Parliament. Premier Baillieu stated prior to the elections that all 67 recommendations would be implemented. A definitive statement of policy supporting this statement is yet to be issued by the government since coming to office.Deputy Premier Ryan has outlined the strong commitment of the Coalition to achieving the annual fuel reduction burning target of 390,000ha on public land, ensuring that any shortfalls are made up in subsequent years. This position is applauded by Forest Fire Victoria.
FOREST FIRE VICTORIA RESPONSE
Full implementation of the 67
recommendations will take time, effort, and significant expenditure.
Inevitably, some summers will pose a much lower fire threat than
2009. In past times, cooler and wetter summers following severe
bushfire seasons have lead to a winding down of preparedness.
When the
next dry cycle brings significant bushfires, the fire services and the
community have been found wanting. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
