Page 4410 - Week 14 - Thursday, 1 December 1994
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FIRE BRIGADE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994
MR LAMONT (Minister for Urban Services, Minister for Housing and Community Services, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Sport) (10.34): Madam Speaker, I present the Fire Brigade (Amendment) Bill 1994.
Title read by Clerk.
MR LAMONT: I move:
That this Bill be agreed to in principle.
This Government is committed to protecting the community from the effects of fire. The Fire Brigade (Amendment) Bill is a small but significant step in that process. Last summer we saw the devastating effects that bushfires can have on people and property close to bushland or reserves. Much work has been done since then to reduce the future risk of bushfire damage, particularly to the urban area. The ACT Emergency Management Group has conducted an extensive publicity campaign to advise residents on how to prepare for bushfires. Fuel reduction around homes is one of the most important preparations.
This Bill deals with the reduction of fire hazards on urban land. Rural areas are already covered by the Bushfire Act. However, the built-up area is another matter. Currently, if the Fire Brigade perceives that long, dry grass on an urban property near a nature reserve constitutes a fire hazard, the brigade explains the problem to the resident and suggests that the hazard be cleared up. On some occasions, perhaps for health or financial reasons, the resident does not clear up the hazard. In such cases, the Fire Brigade has no ability to remove the fire hazard and thereby reduce the risk to the community. The community is entitled to expect that the ACT Fire Brigade not only put out fires but also prevent their occurrence as far as possible, especially those which might damage life or property.
This Bill will give the ACT Fire Brigade the ability to reduce fire risks by requiring owners of urban land to remove fire hazards, and by arranging removal if the owner fails to do so. The Bill contains enhanced protections for residents and owners of land. The ACT Fire Brigade will be required to give suitable notice before taking any action. There are strong appeal mechanisms. In such matters the Bill follows the model of the amendments to the Bushfire Act passed by the Assembly in 1993. Madam Speaker, this Bill will improve the ACT Fire Brigade's ability to reduce fire risks, especially long, dry grass on the edge of nature reserves, which we all know is such a great fire hazard. Our citizens are entitled to such protection. I commend the Bill to the Assembly and present the explanatory memorandum.
Debate (on motion by Mr Humphries) adjourned.
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