Page 3401 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 18 September 2013
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previous three months, coupled with more forecast rain that would build up the fuel. He went on to say that if there is a significant drying out period the ACT will face a significant grassland problem, as we did last summer, as well as potential for forested areas. Basically, we are looking at a very significant season. To my mind, that is the important context that frames the discussion we are having today.
In his remarks—and I might paraphrase slightly—Mr Smyth talked about the important measure being about what is actually being done; essentially, what you do is what matters. From a TAMS perspective, I know that TAMS takes its responsibilities for both bushfire preparation and bushfire fighting extremely seriously. Certainly, through last season I had just become the minister and I took some fairly regular briefings, given the heightened threat last season. The staff in TAMS take their responsibilities incredibly seriously. A number of them, of course, as members will know, were around in 2003 and they remember it very vividly. I think their experience has brought considerable improvement in the agency, and certainly there is no question about their focus.
In terms of what TAMS has been doing, earlier this year I released some information about the work that had been going on, including the ACT’s largest hazard reduction program in 40 years being successfully completed as part of the 2012-13 bushfire operations plan, which was undertaken in close collaboration with the Rural Fire Service. The information I released included the fact that 96 per cent of the bushfire operation plan had been completed, which included 42 controlled burns, 8,000 hectares of slashing, 7,000 hectares of grazing, 74 hectares of physical fuel removal and over 650 kilometres of fire trail maintenance and upgrade. Part of that included the very significant controlled burn in Namadgi National Park, which was actually the biggest in the ACT in over 30 years. It took 13 days to complete, after several months of planning, and covered an area of 6,000 hectares.
There are many more examples of what TAMS has been doing. To that end, I will table a document entitled “Territory and Municipal Services—Bush Fire Operational Plan—Final full year report—June 2013”. This outlines in rather more detail than I will give through this speech—members can read it if they are interested—some of the work that TAMS has been doing. This document has been given to the Emergency Services Agency and the Bushfire Council. I would note that, in giving it to the ESA commissioner, the ESA will review it and there may be further commentary and advice back to TAMS. Therefore, I table the document with the note that there may still be some changes or additional information in light of that review process. This is the document that TAMS has provided. It outlines the very significant amount of work that has been undertaken. In some areas where there has not been 100 per cent completion it includes explanations as to why, and it also outlines unforeseen and additional tasks that were undertaken. For the information of members, I present the following paper:
Territory and Municipal Services—Bush Fire Operational Plan—Final full year report—June 2013, dated 1 July 2013
I have, of course, taken note, as the Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, of the Auditor-General’s report. I have asked TAMS to provide me with an update—and
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