***THIS INQUIRY HAS CONCLUDED TO MAKE WAY FOR THE ROYAL COMMISSION INTO THE ‘BLACK SUMMER’ BUSHFIRES***
Have your say on the LAND MANAGEMENT inquiry
Issue date: 12 December 2019
Local farmers, firies and community members impacted by the recent bushfires across the Sunshine Coast are encouraged to get involved in a new parliamentary inquiry into the frequency and intensity of bushfires.
The Federal Government’s House of Representatives Standing Committee on the Environment has accepted a request of the Minister for Natural Disaster and Emergency Management to inquire into the impact of past and current vegetation and land management policies on bushfires.
As Chair of the Committee, Member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien is urging Sunshine Coast organisations and residents to have their say on this important issue which is impacting a vast area of Australia including the Sunshine Coast and Noosa region.
“These fires are devastating,” said Mr O’Brien. “Their impact extends far beyond damage to the natural and built environment, by threatening people’s lives and livelihoods.”
“This inquiry provides an opportunity to better understand the effectiveness of laws, vegetation and land management practices, mitigation strategies and emergency service engagement.
“Our local firies have been out there fighting fires across the region stretching from Gympie to Noosa Northshore, and Peregian to Beerwah.
“As the rest of us approach the holiday season and start to unwind, our emergency services will be working away or on-call as this prolonged bushfire season continues.
“I’ve been chatting with some of our amazing volunteer firefighters this week and I’m in awe of their generosity and service as they keep our community safe.
“I understand that people may have very passionate views about this topic, particularly in light of the current bushfire season, and I hope they might find the time to make a submission to the inquiry.
The Committee’s inquiry is in response to a referral from the Minister for Natural Disaster and Emergency Management David Littleproud who asked the Committee to inquire into:
- past and current practices of land and vegetation management;
- the impact of current legislation and regulatory responses for landholders;
- the scientific basis behind relevant bushfire management activities;
- legislative capability at the local, state and federal levels requiring landholders to reduce fire risk on properties;
- the economic impact of severe fires in urban, regional, rural and remote areas;
- the progress and implementation of various state reviews over the last decade; and
- the engagement of emergency services with land management officials in managing fire risk.
If you would like to contribute to the inquiry, you can make a submission. Submissions will be accepted until 31 March 2020.
The Committee intends to hold public hearings at various locations, which will be announced in due course on the inquiry website.
Submissions must address the inquiry’s terms of reference, which are available along with details on how to make a submission on the inquiry website HERE
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Committee to examine efficacy of vegetation and land management policy on bushfires
Issue date: Friday, 6 December 2019
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on the Environment has commenced an inquiry into the efficacy of past and current vegetation and land management policy, practice and legislation and their effect on the intensity and frequency of bushfires and subsequent risk to property, life and the environment.
On launching the inquiry, Chair of the Committee, Mr Ted O’Brien MP, said that ‘many communities across Australia had experienced or were still in the grip of a bushfire crisis’.
‘We are currently experiencing a difficult, dangerous and potentially prolonged bushfire season’, he said.
‘We feel for our fellow Australians both impacted by, and trying to control, these devastating fires.
‘The new inquiry provides an opportunity to better understand the practices relating to vegetation and land management, legislative frameworks, economic impact, mitigation strategies and the engagement of emergency services.
‘The Committee understands people will have very passionate views about this, particularly in light of the current bushfire season. We look forward to hearing all views and accessing all the evidence put before us.’
The Committee’s inquiry is in response to Minister for Natural Disaster and Emergency Management David Littleproud. It will have particular regard to matters including:
- past and current practices of land and vegetation management;
- the impact of current legislation and regulatory responses for landholders;
- the scientific basis behind relevant bushfire management activities;
- legislative capability at the local, state and federal levels requiring landholders to reduce fire risk on properties;
- the economic impact of severe fires in urban, regional, rural and remote areas;
- the progress and implementation of various state reviews over the last decade; and
the engagement of emergency services with land management officials in managing fire risk.
If you would like to contribute to the inquiry, you can make a submission. Submissions to the inquiry will be accepted until 31 March 2020. The Committee intends to hold public hearings at various locations, which will be announced in due course on the inquiry website.
Submissions must address the inquiry’s terms of reference, which are available along with details on how to make a submission on the inquiry website.
For background information:
House of Representatives Standing Committee on the Environment and Energy
(02) 6277 4580
environment.reps@aph.gov.au