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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 1 Hansard (30 January) . . Page.. 9 ..

MR SMYTH (continuing):

I would like to bring to the attention of the Assembly two people-the crew of Southern 20, a light unit-who, at the height of the fire in Tidbinbilla on Friday, the 17th, stood their ground, faced the fire head on and for at least 24 hours were able to say, "We beat the fire."The efforts of Matt Luther and Allan Bates epitomise what was done the following day, the 18th, and what has been done in the days since.

As a member of a brigade, I can say-and Mr Corbell will back this up-that the support we received was phenomenal. I have never seen so much food, fruit, drink, beer, fudge, macaroons and brownies delivered to one point in such a short period. The firefighters at Guises Creek had difficulty eating it all-and it did not stop coming. That is the sort of support that kept us going when we needed it. I commend people and organisations for their response, their involvement in recovery operations after the disaster and their support of the firefighters.

I am not sure what words can express the feelings of those who saw the response of so many so quickly to those who lost their homes. While it is devastating to lose more than 500 homes, we have also lost a huge amount of property and important infrastructure. We have lost forest land which will take 30 years to regenerate. We have lost years of research at Mount Stromlo. Perhaps the saddest loss, apart from the personal loss of Canberra people, is the loss to us all of 95 per cent of Tidbinbilla, including the wildlife there.

The destruction of, and damage to, infrastructure throughout the ACT were substantial. One of the most difficult aspects of any emergency such as we experienced is to restore some semblance of normality, so that we can switch on the kettle, turn on our lights and drive through our suburbs-the things we take for granted.

It is outstanding that around 1,000 power poles have been replaced in eight or nine days. Actew workers are to be commended. The fact that the Lower Molonglo Water Quality Control Centre was back on line within two days is equally impressive. The efforts of the personnel involved in restoring our essential everyday services were well and truly above and beyond the call of duty.

In this context, we should also commend the Canberra community. I find it remarkable that the community, when asked to reduce the volume of waste going into our sewerage system, responded immediately, with some of the lowest levels ever of sewage going through the system.

We have faced a dramatic period in the life of this city and the region surrounding it. Although scarred and battered, we have come through it well. The demonstration of community spirit in so many ways has shown that Canberra is a city with a soul. Many have commented in the past-and indeed did so during the crisis-that Canberra is a city without a soul. They are wrong. I have never accepted that sentiment for a moment during all my years of living in this beautiful city. Our recent experience gives the lie to that statement.

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