Page 578 - Week 02 - Thursday, 16 February 2017
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In turning to the various notes contained in Minister Rattenbury’s motion, I raise for debate some of the content and language that Minister Rattenbury has chosen in formulating his motion. I have no issue with Minister Rattenbury’s assertion that climate change has an impact on our atmospheric activity including heatwaves and risk of bushfires. I do, however, put clearly into perspective that there are a number of other causes for the bushfires. Climate change is one, not the, factor that causes them.
Minister Rattenbury’s assertions of severe consequences and the need for urgent action are emotive words designed to play on the memory of Canberrans who very well know the devastating impacts of the 2003 bushfires. The report of inquiry into the 2003 bushfires states, as one example, that the ACT could have done better to manage reduction in fuel loads. Given the size and location of ACT pine forests, they will always be a fuel risk and will have a serious impact in terms of the size and intensity of any fire. Their location within water catchment areas, near homes and on slopes all contribute.
Despite the experience of 2003 many pines have grown back and, as at January this year, 1,000 hectares were awaiting clearing. Moving to a different energy source alone will not reduce the risk. As at January this year, it has been reported that many pines have grown back and pose a significant threat because of their high fire danger. It is also estimated by the ACT Parks fire management office that there were almost 1,000 hectares of land left to clear over the 10-year life of the clearing plan.
If we do not get a more timely and effective management plan, with or without increased climate change impacts, we will face major fire threats. And I suspect that when it is your home in the path of a bushfire you are probably not going to be particularly focused on whether the threat you face is caused or not, as the case may be, by excessive climate change impacts.
Here and elsewhere in Australia and internationally there is a clear realisation and acceptance that if we indeed do not wish to threaten valuable farmlands by opening up more coal mines we must look to other energy sources. Having recognised the need for a range of alternative energy sources—and in this regard, I bring the Assembly’s attention to the fact that the Canberra Liberals committed to the same targets in the last Assembly and today my colleagues and I reaffirm our commitment to these targets—our next focus must be on the reliability of supply and at what cost. It is the role of responsible government to do no less. Recent events have demonstrated how vulnerable we are when power supply is not reliable and readily available for amenity, for health outcomes, for safety and for public confidence to encourage the welcome acceptance of renewable energy sources as a long-term, responsible response to our adapting climate.
Minister Rattenbury notes, as a given, that renewable energy generation is compatible with energy security. However, only earlier this week in response to a question I asked in question time, the minister acknowledged that there are concerns about the ability of power stations in New South Wales to offer continuous supply to the ACT and that this contributed to the power outages Canberrans experienced over the weekend. The minister’s response is at odds with statements on ACT government websites such as:
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