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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 09 Hansard (Thursday, 19 August 2004) . . Page.. 3937 ..

more resources, better training, improved communications and equipment, and more responsive systems. Importantly, it has also resulted in the complete overhaul of our emergency services management system and the creation of the Emergency Services Authority.

In short, the ACT is better prepared than ever for the coming bushfire season. A number of measures are now in place to reduce our vulnerability to bushfires. These include: provision for 200 new volunteer firefighters; provision for 36 new staff for the urban fire brigade; improved emergency communication systems, fully compatible with New South Wales; an increased program of fuel reduction; improved specialised training in fire fighting and prescribed burning; a memorandum of understanding with New South Wales to cover training, resource sharing and cross-border support; an extensive bushfire community education program; and eight community fire units with a further 20 to be established this year. I should add that we also stand ready to respond to the findings of the coronial inquiry, which is still under way.

The fires destroyed a total of 401 urban homes in Canberra’s affected suburbs. That was a mix of public and private housing. Housing ACT has rebuilt 14 destroyed houses for tenants in Kambah and Duffy and it is working on replacing a further 11 houses in Duffy. The government allocated $7.3 million for the urgent rehousing of 55 rural public housing tenants in urban areas. Some urban householders had a difficult time making their decisions about rebuilding and returning to their suburb or selling and moving on to another home, but it is clear that people are steadily firming up on the right decision for them and they are acting on it.

From a slow start, there is now steady progress: 122 houses are now rebuilt and 100 are in the process of being rebuilt; a further 67 houses have an approved development application; and 145 blocks have been transferred to new owners. Expectations are that around half of the original householders are likely to rebuild, but it is still too early to get a final figure on that. I am sure that I speak for everyone in this Assembly when I express ongoing support for those still wrestling with a final decision on their future. The ACT Planning and Land Authority and our bushfire support unit within the department continue to offer support and advice for those who still need it.

The regreening of our urban and non-urban areas is a key part of the recovery process. The people in the burnt-out suburbs look forward to the day that they can again truly feel a part of the bush capital. The good news is that that day is drawing closer. After close consultation with the community, Canberra Urban Parks and Places has replaced around 8,000 fire-affected plants, including 1,600 trees. That has restored many of the parklands and major road verges in Weston Creek, Woden and Tuggeranong. Environment ACT, in partnership with Greening Australia, has also replaced more than 30,000 plants destroyed on rural properties. In the January 2003 fires, 250 kilometres of rural fences bordering onto territory land were damaged. We recently announced a partnership between the government and affected lessees for the repair and replacement of those fences.

The government has commissioned a major study into the best uses of non-urban areas for the sustainable development of the territory. The final report of that study is now guiding the government’s vision for the future of non-urban ACT. That is a significant undertaking to be delivered within a definite and limited timeframe. Although

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