DOCSLIB.ORG

Inquiry Into the Impact of Public Land Management Practices on Bushfires in Victroria, June 2008

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Inquiry Into the Impact of Public Land Management Practices on Bushfires in Victroria, June 2008 Environment and Natural Resources Committee Inquiry into the Impact of Public Land Management Practices on Bushfires in Victoria June 2008 Inquiry into the Impact of Public Land Management Practices on Bushfires in Victoria Report of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee on the Inquiry into the Impact of Public Land Management Practices on Bushfires in Victoria ORDERED TO BE PRINTED Victorian Government Printer 2008 Parliamentary Paper No. 116 Session 2006-2008 i Parliament of Victoria Environment and Natural Resources Committee Inquiry into the Impact of Public Land Management Practices on Bushfires in Victoria ISBN 978-0-9757811-3-5 This report is printed on 100% recycled paper. Table of Contents Committee Members .......................................................................................... vii The Environment and Natural Resources Committee ...................................... ix Terms of Reference ............................................................................................. xi Chair’s Foreword ........................................................................... xiii Executive Summary ........................................................................xv Table of Recommendations............................................................................ xxiii Table of Findings............................................................................................ xxvii Definitions and Acronyms .............................................................................. xxxi Chapter 1: Introduction .................................................................... 1 Background to the Inquiry ................................................................................... 1 Inquiry Process....................................................................................................... 2 Bushfire in Australia............................................................................................. 3 Evolution of the Australian Biota through Fire......................................................... 3 Aboriginal Use of Fire .......................................................................................... 6 Historical and Scientific Evidence of pre-European Fire......................................... 7 Extent and Use of Fire............................................................................................ 9 European Arrival and Use of Fire ......................................................................... 10 Stakeholder Evidence........................................................................................... 11 Conclusion............................................................................................................ 13 Bushfire in Victoria............................................................................................. 14 Significant Victorian Bushfires .............................................................................. 16 Causes of Fire on Public Land.............................................................................. 22 Recent Bushfire Inquiries...................................................................................... 23 Inquiry Report ..................................................................................................... 24 Chapter 2: Prescribed Burning in Victoria ..................................... 27 Introduction......................................................................................................... 27 Overview of prescribed burning ............................................................................ 28 The history of fuel reduction burning..................................................................... 29 Prescribed burning on public land ........................................................................ 29 Burning on private land......................................................................................... 31 Legislative and regulatory arrangements for prescribed burning ................. 32 Legislation and the Code of Practice................................................................ 32 iii Inquiry into the Impact of Public Land Management Practices on Bushfires in Victoria Discussion ............................................................................................................ 37 Delegations and reporting responsibilities ...................................................... 38 Theoretical foundations ..................................................................................... 50 Planning and conducting the burn......................................................................... 69 The reporting process for prescribed burning................................................. 73 The effectiveness of fuel reduction burning..................................................... 79 The influence of fuel management zones......................................................... 81 Measuring the effectiveness of fuel reduction and ecological burning .................. 83 Environmental factors ........................................................................................ 84 Water quality and quantity ................................................................................. 86 The extent of prescribed burning on public land............................................. 90 The historical extent of prescribed burning ..................................................... 90 The current extent of prescribed burning......................................................... 91 The required extent of prescribed burning....................................................... 91 Prescribed burning in Western Australia............................................................... 92 Conclusion ............................................................................................................ 93 Targets and constraints ..................................................................................... 95 Introduction......................................................................................................... 95 Performance against targets.............................................................................. 96 Constraints.......................................................................................................... 99 Weather and climate........................................................................................... 100 Funding and personnel ....................................................................................... 101 The risk of escaped burns................................................................................... 110 Smoke................................................................................................................. 112 Forestry and regeneration burning...................................................................... 114 Alternatives to prescribed burning ................................................................. 116 Chapter 3: Biodiversity and Flood ................................................ 117 Introduction....................................................................................................... 117 Biodiversity impacts......................................................................................... 118 Introduction and background .............................................................................. 118 Stakeholder evidence ......................................................................................... 123 Discussion and conclusion.................................................................................. 125 The Gippsland Flood ........................................................................................ 127 Introduction and background .......................................................................... 127 Environmental impact ......................................................................................... 130 The impact of recent bushfires........................................................................ 132 Background......................................................................................................... 132 Stakeholder evidence ......................................................................................... 134 Discussion and conclusion.................................................................................. 136 iv Chapter 4: Bushfire Suppression Infrastructure.......................... 139 Introduction....................................................................................................... 139 Roads, access tracks and signage ................................................................. 139 Conclusion.......................................................................................................... 146 Fire breaks and containment lines.................................................................. 146 Introduction......................................................................................................... 146 Stakeholder evidence ......................................................................................... 147 Large water points............................................................................................ 152 Other suppression resources.......................................................................... 154 Aerial Resources ...............................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Causes of Bushfire Is Australia – a Response
    Causes of bushfire is Australia – A response Colleen Bryant ©2020 Preamble A recent video shared on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=837989649986602) is symbolic of a broader meme that has emerged in political, media, and social media circles regarding the role of arson in the current bushfire season. The above clip states that: “The popular narrative is that Australia’s fires are caused by climate change but the facts say otherwise”. It goes onto say that “since November 8, 2019 nearly 200 arsonists have been arrested for starting brush fires in Australia”. It then forwards “the arsonists were responsible for about 50% of the brushfires1”, before concluding that it is not climate change but arsonists that are responsible for Australia recent bushfires. The above statistic of 50% reportedly derives from an article published in “The Australian” newspaper (Ross & Reid, 2020) which states “Swinbourne University Professor James Ogloff said about 50 per cent of bushfire were lit by firebugs and impending seasons excited them.” The figure he quoted reportedly came from a study a fire statistics released 12 years ago, which would imply that that the professor was not speaking about the 2019‐20 season specifically. Articles similarly highlighting the role of arson have emerged in the Spectator (Chrenkoff, 2020) and Sydney Morning Herald (Rawsthorne, 2020). However, the above narrative is countered by a recent article published by Nguyen et al. (2020) for the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Commission), which examined the cause of many of the large fires on a state‐by‐state basis. Ultimately they concluded that deliberate fire‐setting did not play a significant role in the recent bushfires in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, or even Queensland.
    [Show full text]
  • Operational Performance of the S-64F Aircrane Helitanker
    Operational performance of the S-64F Aircrane Helitanker 1997–98 fire season Research report no. 72 Operational performance of the S-64F Aircrane Helitanker 1997–98 fire season Research Report No. 72 Hayden Biggs State Aircraft Unit December 2004 This report was commissioned by Fire Management Department of Sustainability and Environment Victoria ii This report summarises the management, operational performance and effectiveness of Erickson’s S-64F Aircrane Helitanker during the 1997–98 fire season. It is not an evaluation of the helitanker’s abilities or an operational trail. For further information contact: DSE Customer Service Centre 136 186 © State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2004 This publication is copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for private study, research, criticism or review as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner. ISBN 1 74152 125 4 Department of Sustainability and Environment, PO Box 500, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002. www.dse.vic.gov.au/fires The advice and information provided in this publication is intended as a guide only. This publication may be of assistance to you, but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind, or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes, and therefore disclaim all liability for any error, loss or other consequence that may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.
    [Show full text]
  • Submission To: Victorian Bushfire Inquiry
    Submission to: Victorian Bushfire Inquiry Addressed to: Tony Pearce; Inspector-General Emergency Management, Victoria Submission from: Emergency Leaders for Climate Action https://emergencyleadersforclimateaction.org.au/ Prepared on behalf of ELCA by: Greg Mullins AO, AFSM; Former Commissioner, Fire & Rescue NSW May 2020 1 About Emergency Leaders for Climate Action Climate change is escalating Australia’s bushfire threat placing life, property, the economy and environment at increasing risk. Emergency Leaders for Climate Action (ELCA) was formed in April 2019 due to deep shared concerns about the potential of the 2019/20 bushfire season, unequivocal scientific evidence that climate change is the driver of longer, more frequent, more intense and overlapping bushfire seasons, and the failure of successive governments, at all levels, to take credible, urgent action on the basic causal factor: greenhouse gas emissions from the burning of coal, oil and gas. Greenhouse emissions are causing significant warming, in turn worsening the frequency and severity of extreme weather events that exacerbate and drive natural disasters such as bushfires. ELCA originally comprised of 23 former fire and emergency service leaders from every state and territory and every fire service in Australia, from several State Emergency Service agencies, and from several forestry and national parks agencies. At the time of submission, ELCA continues to grow and now comprises 33 members, including two former Directors General of Emergency Management Australia. Cumulatively, ELCA represents about 1,000 years of experience. Key members from Victoria include: • Craig Lapsley PSM: Former Emergency Management Commissioner; Former Fire Services Commissioner; Former Deputy Chief Officer, Country Fire Authority. • Russell Rees AFSM: Former Chief Fire Officer, Country Fire Authority Victoria.
    [Show full text]
  • FINAL REPORT Estimating the Effects of Changing Climate on Fires and Consequences for U.S
    FINAL REPORT Estimating the Effects of Changing Climate on Fires and Consequences for U.S. Air Quality, Using a Set of Global and Regional Climate Models JFSP PROJECT ID: 13-1-01-4 October 2017 Prof. Jeffrey R Pierce Colorado State University Dr. Maria Val Martin Colorado State University Now at University of Sheffield Prof. Colette L. Heald Massachusetts Institute of Technology The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the U.S. Government. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by the U.S. Government. Estimating the Effects of Changing Climate on Fires and Consequences for U.S. Air Quality, Using a Set of Global and Regional Climate Models Table of Contents Abstract ..........................................................................................................................................1 Background ................................................................................................................................... 2 Objectives ..................................................................................................................................... 3 Methodology ................................................................................................................................. 4 Results and Discussion ................................................................................................................. 8 Conclusions and
    [Show full text]
  • May 8–11, 2017
    EDUCATION INSPIRATION CELEBRATION May 8–11, 2017 GRAND RAPIDS, educationRALL•inspiration •celebrYation MICHIGAN AGENDA WELCOME TO RIVER RALLY 2017! MONDAY, MAY 8TH 6:00pm–8:00pm River Rally 2017 Welcome & Opening Reception Ambassador Ballroom Welcome to River Rally 2017 in fabulous Grand Rapids, Michigan! Your job is to get as much from this event as possible—new knowledge, new friends, new ideas, and new TH TUESDAY, MAY 9 energy to bring back to your work to safeguard the health of our nation’s rivers and the 7:30am–9:00am Breakfast & Keynote Speaker Ambassador Ballroom promise of affordable clean water for all. 9:30am–11:00am Workshops River Rally 2017 arrives at a time when the social and political context of water is 11:30am–12:45pm Lunch & Plenary Panel Ambassador Ballroom changing. We have seen clearly that not only are the benefits of water not shared 1:00pm–2:30pm Workshops equitably, but the harm caused by floods, droughts, water contamination, and climate 3:00pm–4:30pm Workshops change are disproportionately experienced by low income communities, people of color, NICOLE SILK 6:30pm–8:00pm Dinner On-Your-Own and indigenous and tribal communities. 8:00pm–10:30pm Talent Show & Open Mic Pantlind Ballroom Rather than turning a blind eye to this reality, we are intentionally bringing full focus to this changing context through our program this year. We believe that a different path forward is possible by working together across WEDNESDAY, MAY 10TH political, economic, social, and other divisions, though only if we fully understand where we stand today.
    [Show full text]
  • The Health Effects of the 2019-20 Bushfires
    The health effects of the 2019-20 bushfires Submission to the Senate Finance and Public Administration References Committee on lessons to be learned in relation to the Australian bushfire season 2019-20 Stephen Duckett, Will Mackey, and Anika Stobart The health effects of the 2019-20 bushfires Table of contents 1 The health impacts of the 2019-20 bushfires . 3 1.1 There was extreme fire risk leading up to the 2019-20 bushfires . 3 1.2 The bushfires had direct impacts on many Australians . 4 1.3 The bushfires caused dangerously poor air quality for prolonged periods . 4 1.4 The bushfire smoke damaged people’s physical health . 8 1.5 The bushfires damaged people’s mental health . 9 1.6 Climate change means more frequent, more intense, and longer-lasting bushfires . 9 2 Recommendations . 11 2.1 Make people more aware of the health risks from bushfire smoke . 11 2.2 Review health system preparedness for natural disasters . 13 2.3 Review mental health support systems . 13 2.4 Improve health response systems under a broader climate change and health agenda . 14 2.5 Align government response systems to ensure a national approach . 14 Grattan Institute 2020 2 The health effects of the 2019-20 bushfires 1 The health impacts of the 2019-20 bushfires Hundreds of bushfires ravaged south-eastern Australia over the 2019- Figure 1.1: Fire danger in the lead-up to 2019-20 was high 20 summer, burning millions of hectares and billowing large plumes of Forest Fire Danger Index (FFDI) in spring 2019 smoke into the atmosphere.
    [Show full text]
  • Bushfires in Australia
    Emergency planning and response in general practice Fact sheet: Bushfires in Australia This fact sheet outlines important information about bushfires in Australia and provides tips for keeping your practice and patients as safe as possible in the event of extreme weather. Facts about bushfires • Australia is the most flammable continent on earth.i • Extreme fire weather and the length of the fire season is increasing, leading to an increase in bushfire risk. • Southern and eastern Australia are projected to experience harsher fire weather with weather conditions conducive to fire in the southeast of the continent becoming increasingly more frequent.ii The role of general practice General practices in and around fire-prone areas play a significant role in the community’s overall response. The RACGP has developed a number of resources to support general practices with preparing for, responding to and recovering from the impact of fires and other emergencies. Access these documents here www.racgp.org.au/your-practice/business/tools/ disaster/emergencies/ Emergency planning and response in general practice Fact sheet: Bushfires in Australia 1 4649 Tips Tips for ensuring preparedness for a bushfire • Develop an up-to-date emergency response plan for your practice. • Exercise your plan on a regular basis (e.g.as a desk top exercise). • Contact your local community response coordination organisation to ensure you are a part of community planning processes. • Contact your local hospital to see how you and other general practices can work with your hospital(s) in emergencies. • Connect with your state-based response organisation to ensure you are kept up to date with fire-specific information relevant to your location (Click here www.australia.gov.au/content/emergency-links-states-and-territories and select the link for your particular state/territory).
    [Show full text]
  • Principles for Riparian Lands Management
    Principles for riparian lands management Principles for riparian lands management Edited by Siwan Lovett and Phil Price Principles for riparian lands management Published by: Land & Water Australia Postal address: GPO Box 2182, Canberra ACT 2601 Office location: Level 1, The Phoenix, 86 Northbourne Avenue, Braddon ACT Telephone: 02 6263 6000 Facsimile: 02 6263 6099 E-mail: Land&[email protected] Internet: www.lwa.gov.au © Land & Water Australia Disclaimer: The information contained in this publication is intended for general use, to assist public knowledge and discussion, and to help improve the sustainable management of land, water and vegetation. It includes general statements based on scientific research. Readers are advised and need to be aware that this information may be incomplete or unsuitable for use in specific situations. Before taking any action or decision based on the information in this publication, readers should seek expert professional, scientific, technical and legal advice. To the extent permitted by law, the Commonwealth of Australia, Land & Water Australia (including its employees and consultants), the authors and its partners do not assume liability of any kind whatsoever resulting from any person’s use or reliance upon the contents of this document. Citation: Lovett, S. & Price, P. (eds), 2007, Principles for riparian lands management, Land & Water Australia, Canberra. ISBN: 1921 253 045 (print), 1921 253 053 (web) Product code: PX061170 Cover image: Annie Franklin Design: Angel Ink Print: Paragon Printers Australasia Date: February 2007 CONTENTS Foreword v Chapter 1 Structure and characteristics of riparian lands 1 Phil Price and Wendy Tubman Chapter 2 Diversity and dynamics of riparian vegetation 13 Samantha J.
    [Show full text]
  • COAG National Bushfire Inquiry
    Appendix D Fire history in Australia This appendix summarises the available information on major bushfire events in each state and territory as far back as records allow. There are many inconsistencies and gaps in the available information because there are no nationally agreed criteria for defining a ‘significant fire year’ or a ‘major fire event’. The available information shows the following: • Major fire events are a periodic feature in all states and territories. • The areas of land that are affected by fire continue to be significant. • There have been 59 recorded bushfire events where there has been loss of life, with a positive trend being the significant decline in the loss of life from bushfires in the last 20 years. • There have been 24 fire events resulting in major stock losses (defined as more than 1000 head). • There have been 21 fire events resulting in large-scale loss of houses (defined as more than 50 houses). Table D.1 Fire history in Australia, by state and territory No. of Area of fire Date deaths (ha) Losses Location(s) Northern Territory 1968–1969 40 000 000 Killarney – Top Springs 1969–1970 45 000 000 Dry River – Victoria River fire 1974–1975 45 000 000 Barkly Tableland, Victoria River district, near Newcastle Waters 2002 38 000 000 Queensland 1917 3 Large fires near Hughenden, followed by a fire on Warenda Station 1918 October 2 >100 000 sheep Fires spread over a huge area from Charleville to Blackall, Barcaldine, Hughenden 1918 October 5 Saltern Creek 1926 Forests, farms, sugar South-east corner of Queensland
    [Show full text]
  • Bushfire: Retrofitting Rural and Urban Fringe Structures—Implications Of
    energies Article Bushfire: Retrofitting Rural and Urban Fringe Structures—Implications of Current Engineering Data Glenn P. Costin School of Architecture & Built Environment, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia; [email protected] Abstract: Since the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires in which 173 lives were lost, two-thirds of whom died in their homes, the question of what a home prepared for bushfire looks like has been repeatedly raised. The 2019/2020 fires saw us not much further advanced. This paper seeks to consolidate what is known about bushfire behavior, its influence upon structures, and, through this data, infer improved standards of practice for retrofitting rural and urban fringe homes. In particular, the prevention of ember and smoke incursion: the data suggesting the prior as the main mechanism of home destruction; the latter as high risk to sheltering occupant health. The article is framed around a comprehensive literature review, and the author’s own experiences and observations from fire impacted structures in Victoria’s northeast. The article’s import lies in demonstrating how embers and smoke may enter homes otherwise seen to be appropriately sealed prior to the fire’s approach. Included in the findings are developed hypotheses based on thermal expansion, pressure differentials and backdraft; offering defined paths towards future research. In addition, the work provides practical advice towards mitigating the identified issues using retrofit practices based upon the author’s practical experience as a tradesperson and building designer. Citation: Costin, G.P. Bushfire: Keywords: bushfire; retrofit; ember attack; pressure differential; urban fringe; rural housing; pyro- Retrofitting Rural and Urban Fringe tornadogenesis; backdraft Structures—Implications of Current Engineering Data.
    [Show full text]
  • The Age Natural Disasters Posters
    The Age Natural Disasters Posters Bushfire Student Activities Bushfire 1. Find and insert into your work an image from the Black Saturday bushfire. Record what it would sound like, feel like and look like. Go to the Global Education website to download a Y chart template – www.globaleducation.edu.au/ and click on Templates under Resources gallery near the bottom of the screen. 2. The perils of life in a fire-prone country a. What determines whether a fire turns into a natural disaster? b. On which continent does uncontrolled burning of forests, scrub, grasses and peat not occur? c. What term is used for bushfires in other countries? d. Make a list of all the possible causes of bushfires. e. Which continent is known as “fire central” with 70 per cent of the world’s wildfires? f. Do all of these wildfires occur naturally? Explain your answer. g. Name four regions of the world where bushfires are more likely to turn into natural disasters. h. What effects can these natural disasters have on people and the environment? i. How many people have been killed by bushfire in Australia? j. How likely will bushfire destroy houses in Australia? k. In an average year how many hectares are burnt in Australia? l. Where do the majority of bushfires occur in Australia? m. Where are the worst bushfires in Australia? n. Which is the deadliest state? o. What was the estimated financial cost for Victoria’s Back Saturday disaster in 2009? p. How many bushfires are classified as “suspicious” each year? 3.
    [Show full text]
  • Notice of Meeting 2003
    2003Commonwealth Bank of Australia ACN 123 123 124 Notice of Meeting 2003 2 How to get there 3 Letter to Shareholders 5 2003 AGM — Notice of Meeting to be held on Friday, 31 October 2003 at the Harbourside Auditorium, Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour, Sydney 7 Explanatory Memorandum 1 How to get there T E PITT ST T REET STRE REET EET NG T ST GE R ORGE T KI S YORK REE STREET T STREET STREET CLARENCE STREET TOWN HALL DRUIT STREE MARKET STATION KENT STREET BATHURST ALBION S LIVERPOOL SUSSEX STREET DIXON STREET ULTIMO ROAD WHEA T ROAD SYDNEY ACQUARIUM COCKLE BAY SYDNEY ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE IMAX c DARLING HARBOUR ENTERTAINMENTCAR PARK HARBOURSIDE SHOPPING CENTRE EXHIBITION CENTRE CONVENTION RLING DRIVEb CENTRE DA MARY ANN STREE MACARTHUR S Harbourside Auditorium HARBOURSIDE a COMMONWEALTH BANK CAR PARK MURRAY STR ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING EET T TREET PYRMONT STREET The Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday, 31 October 2003, commencing at 11.00 am at the Harbourside Auditorium, Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour, Sydney. Monorail route City Light Rail from Central Station Harbourside Park Plaza Convention Parking Convention City Centre Exhibition Halls Parking under Exhibition Halls Haymarket Darling Park Haymarket World Square Commonwealth Bank of Australia 2 Notice of Meeting 2003 Chairman’s Letter 12 September 2003 Dear Shareholder I am writing to invite you, as a shareholder in Commonwealth Bank of Australia, to attend the Annual General Meeting on Friday, 31 October 2003. The meeting will be held at the Harbourside Auditorium, Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour, Sydney.
    [Show full text]