Page 2990 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 20 September 2006
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
dropped to $35.93. What is going on? The Emergencies Act really needs to be strengthened to ensure that the SBMP incorporates all of the necessary elements.
This is our solution. This is what we say the government must implement. Firstly, you must lay down stronger powers and obligations around fuel hazard reduction as a general rule across the territory. Give the commissioner and his chief officers the authority. Secondly, as a consequence of the previous point, lay down obligatory fuel reduction targets and the target dates, including preseason cold burns and intraseason tasks, such as mowing. Thirdly, lay down unequivocal standards for bushfire breaks along the urban edge, around specific vulnerable points and across differing regions. Fourthly, lay down the standard for acceptable levels of bushland and forest fuel tonnages allowed to remain generally as a rule and, more specifically, for each identified vulnerable area.
Fifthly, develop the arbitrary time lines by which the commissioner and his delegates are to recon and inspect the territory in order to identify all preventative action tasking which must be undertaken by land managers, owners, emergency services agencies, community fire units, police and other relevant government agencies. Sixthly, develop the arbitrary time lines by which all land manager-owner obligation actions must be completed. Number seven, develop guidelines by which the residents of vulnerable suburbs are kept informed about specifically identified perennial vulnerabilities and hazards relevant to their suburb, including new seasonal updates where new hazards are identified.
Number nine, direct the commissioner and his delegates to identify all BOPs required to be prepared as standard plans covering every individual vulnerable suburb, settlement and vulnerable point. Number 10, direct the commissioner and his delegates to identify the need for, and demand the preparation of, any seasonal or supplementary BOPs where the need may arise. Number 11, lay down the guidelines for the preparation and approval of BOPs, two-year reviews of existing BOPs, et cetera. Number 12, within BOPs, confirm suburban warning systems and methods of warning for each suburb, settlement and vulnerable point area. Number 13, within BOPs, identify evacuation plans and routes for each likely bushfire scenario that may confront each vulnerable suburb, settlement and vulnerable point. Number 14, within BOPs, identify all useful water points, tracks and routes which will be of use to fire units, support agencies and other authorities. Number 15, based on the SBMP and BOPs, promulgate a briefing brochure to all residents, including information specific to their suburbs; inform the community; and warn the community.
The benefits of these exercises would be to strengthen the SBMP to ensure it carries clear authority to empower the commissioner of the ESA to direct preventative action and to lay down clear benchmarks governing standards, clear responsibilities and tasking for emergency authorities, land managers, landowners and citizens. Unfortunately, by not ensuring that the preceding elements are a necessary adjunct to the SBMP, we have a community that is not as protected as it should be from future threat of bushfires. Therefore, in accordance with this motion which I have moved, I call on this government to expedite the SBMP version No 2 and to ensure its deficiencies are addressed.
Motion, as amended, agreed to.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .