Page 783 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 29 March 2006
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city. Of course, the fact is that we cannot entirely fireproof our city. Rather, we must learn to live with, plan for and effectively manage fire risk to our homes and the rest of the city.
I would like to know if the government is adhering to its own roadside management commitments and recommendations regarding native vegetation regrowth when it carries out its mowing and slashing operations. The ecological importance of these roadside areas is growing in importance as global warming changes habitats faster than many species are able to adapt to. As vegetation is lost or changed, many species become geographically isolated and their gene pools become fragmented and unsustainable. For many of these populations, if they cannot migrate, they will perish.
It is a disgrace that Australia leads the world in species extinction rates. The figures for mammals are the worst in the world and the figures for plants rate poorly when compared with countries where comparably detailed studies are available. The national figures for extinct, endangered and vulnerable species, serious though they are, do not indicate the extent to which local diversity has been lost in large areas of the country. Many species are clinging to existence in isolated areas but may not be classified as endangered or vulnerable nationally, even though their range may have been drastically reduced. I mention all this because it may not be readily apparent that some of our remnant native vegetation in the ACT is of even higher ecological value than previously recognised and its status and protection under any fire management regime must be given a suitably high priority.
We all know that grass grows fastest after a wet spring and dries out in summer. Of course there should be fire hazard reduction along the urban fringe. It is obvious that the Yarralumla Brickworks site is a neglected area. It represents an ongoing hazard to surrounding properties and it is time the government made a decision regarding its future. I must say that it looks like the government has just closed its eyes to the site. The fire at least has reminded people that this site exists and requires a kind of management. I want to report that I have received an answer to a question on notice that I asked the government about its management of that site. I am pleased to say that there are some proactive policies in place now that should reassure the citizens of Yarralumla.
We live in a bush capital. We are surrounded by bushland and rural farmland and we have many beautiful urban nature parks. Many people have a special love for this city precisely because of that fact. Of course, being so close to natural areas means that we have to plan and act accordingly. While I regret very much the tragic loss of property in the Yarralumla Brickworks grassfire, I point out that the homes that were lost both had brush fences. This fact reinforces my theme that we have to prepare for fire as individuals and as a city, and the strategic bushfire management plan provides a lot of valuable detail on how to achieve that. The plan recommends:
Planning and building design and associated standards at the individual dwelling level to better protect communities exposed to potential fires; and
Reducing bushfire fuel hazards around and nearby homes and assets.
It goes on to state:
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