Bushfire Bureaucratic Bullshit Begins

It was inevitable - we have never had to deal with bushfire disaster recovery. The first reports have started about conditions at Kinglake:

HUNDREDS of residents in fire-devastated Kinglake and Kinglake West have been denied food aid and told to support local businesses, as drinking water remains unavailable in the communities, sparking an outbreak of gastroenteritis.

It seems lack coordination by the relief organisations has collapsed:

Jacqueline Pascarl, director of Operation Angel, a relief agency helping affected communities, said the situation at Kinglake "resembles Third World refugee camp standards and needs to be rectified".

That's just the beginning of the bureaucrat bungling. Just wait til local councils lose the plot with building permits.

Sykes: Commonsense needed in post fire clean up

Source: (State MP for Benalla) Bill Sykes Media Release

Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, in Parliament on Thursday 26 February called for commonsense to prevail as the massive clean up of fire damaged areas heads into full swing in many parts of Victoria.

“A key activity is making our roadways safe by the removal of burnt and dangerous trees,” Bill Sykes said. “Unfortunately VicRoads’ efforts in making roads safe in the Flowerdale area have been hampered by an overzealous interpretation of dubious Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) guidelines.”

“Post fire falling tree limbs can be dangerous. It’s a danger I am well aware of. In the past I narrowly missed serious injury myself by a falling limb during a fire mop up operation in bush land near Benalla,” Bill Sykes continued. “We need to ensure the safety of our fire fighters and the public is not compromised by the restricted removal of roadside trees.”

Bill Sykes said, “I call on the Minister for Environment and Climate Change to show leadership on this issue and immediately instruct DSE staff to apply common sense rather than zealously implementing guidelines which will be subject to intense scrutiny in the forthcoming Royal Commission. I remind the Minister that as his staff seek to protect a few hundred trees, government policies are being held responsible for the destruction of millions upon millions of trees in the fires of 2003, 2006-07 and 2009.”

The clean up and repair of fences and fence lines on properties bordering Crown Land is also of issue and demands a similar commonsense approach.

“I also call on the Minister for Agriculture to stand up for farmers and commit the Government to meeting 50 per cent of the cost of fencing between Crown Land and private property. This is what good neighbours do and what was recommended by the all-party Parliamentary Inquiry into ‘The Impact of Public Land Management Practices on Bushfires in Victoria’,” he said.

The Government is also been called to meet 100 per cent of the cost of replacing boundary fences against Crown Land which are destroyed by CFA/DSE instigated back burns from control lines on private property.

The Bushfire Royal Commission will provide a much needed opportunity to review and investigate existing DSE guidelines in relation to public land management practices; a likely outcome will see the implementation of revised guidelines and a reduction of the restrictions currently imposed on the removal of native vegetation.

Bill Sykes concluded his Parliamentary statement saying; “Now is the time for common sense and equitable sharing of the costs of recovery from these tragic fires. I call on the Brumby Government to step up to the mark.”

Sykes: how the bushfire Royal Commission will work

Source: (State MP for Benalla) Bill Sykes Media Release

Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, has endorsed the establishment of a Royal Commission into Victoria’s bushfires.

“These bushfires have caused unprecedented harm to Victoria, not only through the loss of life, property and livestock but also through the emotional trauma caused to survivors and the families of victims. Now that the Royal Commission has released the terms of reference I encourage people to contribute to the inquiry,” Bill Sykes said.

The Commission, led by Justice Bernard Teague, will operate under broad terms of reference including the cause and circumstances of the bushfires, the prevention, management and communication of bushfire threats and risks, immediate management, response and recovery in the event of a bushfire, communication and equipment systems, land use planning and management, fireproofing of housing and other buildings and public communications and community advice systems.

The Commission has the scope to include any other matters deemed appropriate in relation to the 2009 bushfires.

Justice Bernard Teague has said the Commission will include first person accounts by bushfire survivors. These accounts will be collected during round table hearings at locations throughout fire affected areas to commence early March 2009.

“I encourage people who have been directly impacted upon by these bushfires to make every effort to attend these meetings. In the past week I have visited bushfire affected and threatened areas in Bonnie Doon, Strathbogie, Merton, Yarck, Eildon, Thornton, Alexandra, Myrtleford, Bright, Rosewhite and Mudgegonga and have first hand knowledge of the issues faced by people. I will continue to address these issues but urge people across the Benalla Electorate to also contribute to this important inquiry,” Bill Sykes said.

The Royal Commission will provide an interim report by 17 August 2009 to enable early recommendations to be implemented before the next bushfire season. A final report will be due by 31 July 2010.

Written submissions by the public have been invited by the Royal Commission with a submission address to be announced by early next week.

“I will be advising all media, community and professional organisations and agencies throughout the Benalla Electorate where they can send submissions to as soon as this information becomes available and to advise the dates, times and locations of all round table hearings,” Bill Sykes said.

To view the Terms of Reference visit http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/images/stories/media/mediareleases/160209_-_elizabeth_the_second_by_the_grace_of_god_queen_of_australia.pdf

Help at hand for fire affected farmers and small business

Source: (State MP for Benalla) Bill Sykes Media Release

Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, welcomes the inclusion of small business and primary producers within the scope of funding grants available for those affected by the Victorian Bushfires.

“This is a welcome extension to the range of grants currently being offered to those directly affected by the bushfires,” Bill Sykes said. “Small business and primary producers across the State have been hit hard by these fires and it is important that these sections of the community are not overlooked.”

The Victorian Government announced assistance for businesses and primary producers directly impacted by the 2009 bushfires on Wednesday, 18 February. The assistance package is made up of two components:

• Clean-Up and Restoration Grant
• 2009 Bushfire Assistance Loan
  

The Clean-Up and Restoration Grant is a one off grant of $5,000 for immediate repair and restoration costs with additional funds available up to a total of $25,000 for businesses and farmers who have sustained direct damage as a result of the 2009 bushfires. This may include damage to farm buildings, crops, pasture, stock, fencing and/or tools. The Clean-Up Grant will assist in the removal of debris, animal welfare and business restoration as well as the hire of tools, equipment, fencing repairs, materials, trades and services. Eligibility for the additional $20,000 will be assessed on the extent of damage.

The 2009 Bushfire Assistance Loan, accessed through Rural Finance Corporation, will assist small businesses and primary producers whose physical assets have been destroyed or damaged by bushfire. Loans for 15 years of up to $200,000 are available at a concessional rate of 3.2% for the first five years. As well as providing essential working capital finance, loans may be made for the replacement of lost or damaged structures, livestock, fodder and equipment.

“Small business and primary producers are an integral part of our community. I am relieved these groups have been recognised by State Government as needing specific assistance to help with the recovery process after the bushfires. We should be examining every possible means to ensure the rebuilding of rural Victoria has positive outcomes,” Bill Sykes said.

To sign up for business counselling and general business advice contact Business Victoria hotline on 13 22 15. Applications forms for the Clean-Up and Restoration Grant and the 2009 Bushfire Assistance Loan for primary producers and small businesses are available from www.ruralfinance.com.au or call 1800 255 925.

Bushfires - Food for thought from Bill Sykes

Re: Bushfires – Food for Thought

1. Financial Assistance

The State Government have announced grants from the Victorian Bush Fire Appeal for people who have lost family members, lost their home or been severely affected.

I welcome these grants.

However at this stage the needs of people such as farmers who have lost their businesses have not been recognised.

This must be addressed as a matter of urgency.

2. Public Safety – Boundary Fences

Hundreds of kilometres of boundary and internal fences have been damaged or destroyed.

It is absolutely critical from a public safety perspective to immediately replace or repair fences bounding public roads otherwise further tragedies will occur.

All outer boundary fences need to be replaced or repaired urgently to contain stock.

The All Party Parliamentary inquiry into bushfires recommended that the State Government must at least pick up 50% of the cost of fences adjoining crown land.

Given the devastation caused by recent fires I believe that the Government should immediately meet 50% of the costs of fences bordering public land.

3. Emergency Housing

New Myrtleford based company Mod-Eco is able to produce excellent emergency housing for location ‘on site’ within a few weeks.

Use of these houses would be a ‘win win’ situation – in that appropriate housing would be produced as well as providing employment and a source of income for the community of Myrtleford and district, which has been hard hit by the drought, bushfires in 2003 and 2006/2007 and the closure of the tobacco industry.

Bill Sykes MP
Member for Benalla
Shadow Parliamentary Secretary
for Agriculture & Water

30pc of bushfire victims not insured: Insurance Council

• 30pc of bushfire victims not insured: Insurance Council - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

  The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) says people with no insurance, who were affected by the Victorian bushfires, are becoming a major concern.

  "Figures are starting to indicate that there must be a large proportion of people down in the affected areas that don't have any insurance at all," he said.

  • "The industry's putting a figure on non-insurance down in the affected area of around 30 per cent." With all of the promises of rebuilding the communities lost in the bushfires, what do you do about 30% not being insured? If those homes are rebuilt at the cost of the taxpayer, the Insurance Industry is in real trouble. Why should those of us who but insurance and be billed an extra 60% to maintain the CFA continue to do so if there is no benefit to be gained? - post by gnaylor

Nursing scars of ‘devil’s’ fire

Survivor backs case for mandatory evacuation

Written by JEFF ZEUSCHNER. - Wangaratta Chronicle 16 Feb 09

MUDGEGONGA bushfire survivor, Bill Culhane, believes mandatory evacuation from properties

Image by iamagloworm via Flickr

threatened by bushfires must come into Victoria.

"They’ve got to look at it," said the invalid pensioner, who counts himself among the lucky ones as the massive Beechworth fire, fanned by 45 degree heat and strong winds, ripped through the district on February 7, killing Mr Culhane’s friends, John and Sue Wilson, and destroying more than a dozen neighbors’ properties.

"It was the fire ball from hell and the devil was riding it," he said.

"There was nothing you could do to stop it....trees were ripped out of the ground in the firestorm.

"Everyone I’ve spoken to would never go through that again."

The fires have ignited debate over the stay and defend policy, and Mr Culhane, having seen what he has, believes laws must change.

"If the days are over a certain temperature and the wind over a certain strength, then I reckon people must have to evacuate," he said yesterday, as CFA crews put out spot fires nearby from backburning operations.

Mr Culhane’s home - the former Mudgegonga Primary School building - was used as an evacuation centre at the height of the fires, which had encircled the area.

His former home at Barwidgee Creek went up in flames, but his two beloved horses in the paddock opposite survived.

However, ‘Timber Jack’ , his four year old gelding race horse, suffered serious burns.

"His legs were badly burnt and it was feared he may lose his hooves, but that isn’t the case," Mr Culhane said.

"He’s still carrying burns, and it will be a long process to make a full recovery."

Mr Culhane praised the support he had received from his Wangaratta Parfitt Road trainer, Stephen Cunningham, who is caring for ‘Timber Jack’, and also Goulburn Valley Equine Clinic, which had waived its $3500 fee for initial treatment of the horse the day after the fires.

Greg's View of Todays News - 02/11/2009

• Uni students to be charged for services

  Students have praised the Rudd government for beginning to undo the damage caused by voluntary student unionism (VSU), but are concerned Labor's proposed services and amenities fee will be controlled by universities.

  • Opposition youth spokeswoman Sophie Mirabella said the details of the legislation would be closely scrutinised.

    "As a starting point, our policy is to oppose compulsory fees on students," Ms Mirabella said.

    Ms Mirabella also attempted to cast doubt over the promise that the legislation would prohibit money being spent for political purposes.

  
  

• Stay or go policy should be reviewed, MP says - The Independent Weekly

  Sophie Ms Mirabella, whose electorate of Indi contains communities affected by the bushfires, spoke not just of the emotional heartache but the expected financial hardship. Mobile telephone bills would be "horrendous" following the disaster.

• Architect calls for bunkers in fire zone homes - ABC News
  

• An architect says fire bunkers should be included when rebuilding communities affected by Victoria's worst bushfires.

  • 
    
    An architect says fire bunkers should be included when rebuilding communities affected by Victoria's worst bushfires.
    
    
    Retiring Victorian Police Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon will run a new agency that will help bushfire ravaged communities rebuild.
    Professor of Architecture at RMIT Norman Day says a simple and inexpensive concrete bunker in the ground next to or underneath each house would be the best protection

  • Professor of Architecture at RMIT Norman Day says a simple and inexpensive concrete bunker in the ground next to or underneath each house would be the best protection from fierce fires.

    He says little can be done to give new houses more protection.
    • This is a brilliant idea. With existing homes, a six foot concrete cube could still be built - especially on hilly properties where it could be cut back into the earth. - post by gnaylor

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Australian fires claim at least 173 people, police closing in on arsonists (americablog.com)
• Australian Heatwave: "Climate Change Link is Very Likely" (treehugger.com)