Mr KNIGHT - 2006-10-12
My electorate has experienced significant bushfires and there have been extensive bushfires across the Northern Territory over the last month. Are you able to give us an update on the bushfires and what is being done to combat the problem?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Daly for his question. I know he is concerned because some of these bad bushfires we have had are affecting his electorate, as well as that of the member for Goyder. I apologise in advance if my answer is a bit long, but I feel it is important to explain the full extent of our fires. Particularly on our side, we know the importance of the land that is being burnt, to landowners and everyone affected by it. If the opposition feels that the long answer is not appropriate, that is up to them.
The 2006 fire season was predicted by Bushfires NT to be a difficult one, and they have been correct. In fact, this is shaping up to be one of the worst bushfire seasons on record. The long Wet Season provided an above average period of growth and delayed the carrying out of fuel reduction activity. Despite a strong awareness campaign in which rural residents were encouraged to install firebreaks and reduce fuel loads, unfortunately, many failed to act.
On Saturday, 9 September, a number of fires broke out in the Darwin rural area, sending volunteer brigades in a number of directions. The largest fire started in the Leonino Road area and took three days to control. During that time it accumulated some very sobering statistics: 38 km burnt; 158 blocks burnt; 21 properties significantly damaged; and, six dwellings badly damaged or destroyed. The fires took quite an investment and effort to fight: 50 volunteer fire fighters, including seven Bushfires NT staff; one ambulance; three tankers; 27 grass fire units; four private tractors; eight private utes with water tanks; three helicopters; one loader; two graders and a bobcat.
An estimate of the total amount of property lost would be difficult to make. However, whole mango orchards, houses, sheds, cars and machinery were destroyed. The final loss to the community will certainly be many millions of dollars. Even harder to estimate, though, is the value of the property saved. The Volunteer Bushfire Brigades worked tirelessly to save assets, including homes, crops and tourist infrastructure. In this they were largely successful and the value of property saved is in the millions.
The fires were eventually contained along boundaries where fuel reduction burns had been undertaken earlier in the season, proving beyond doubt that fuel reduction in the occupied areas outside Darwin is crucial to the protection from wildfire.
The efforts of the large number of volunteers is particularly commendable. Many worked long hours into the night …
Mrs Braham: You certainly know your subject. You have to read it.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: Member for Braitling, I am sure there are many people who are interested in this because there are …
Mrs Braham: Come on, minister, if you knew your subject you would tell us.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Braitling, cease interjecting.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: … particularly in relation to our volunteers. Many worked long shifts into the night over the entire weekend, and many put on their yellow fire retardant suits again on Monday and lost a day’s paid work to save the homes of other people. Many of us sitting here in Darwin, or other urban centres, fail to fully appreciate the value of our Volunteer Bushfire Brigades. I place on the record my appreciation, and I am sure all members in this House, our appreciation of their commitment. There are many rural property owners who have a lot to thank them for.
As I speak, Madam Speaker, there are serious wildfire threats at a number of other locations around the central and northern parts of the Territory. Muranji Station north-west of Newcastle Waters: this fire has expanded substantially in the last 24 hours and has jumped backburns. It is now moving west and threatens properties in the VRD. Bushfire staff and station personnel have done backburns around Muranji Homestead and they are now extending firebreaks further ahead of the flame front. Birrindudu Station in the southern VRD: this fire is now burning into productive country and is threatening infrastructure. Bushfires NT and station personnel are working to contain that fire.
The Douglas Daly region is burning, and has been for several days. The Douglas Daly fire has so far affected nine properties: Oolloo, Douglas Daly Research Farm, Bent Elbow, Midway, Middle Creek, Mainoru, Early Storm, Bungee Bungee and Ruby Downs. There has been some loss of pasture and fencing. A 3 km backburn last night appears to have contained this fire, but volunteer brigades and station staff are staying on-site to monitor the situation as the weather continues to be extreme.
Two large fires in Kakadu and Central Arnhem have joined up and are being monitored.
Ms CARNEY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The minister apologised before her answer and we have been extraordinarily patient. I ask that you direct the minister to table the rest of her answer, as members of the opposition, and indeed some of her colleagues, are being deprived of the opportunity of asking our questions.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, there is no point of order. I am hopeful that the minister’s answer is almost complete.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: I am almost finished, Madam Speaker. The fires are quite extensive. Elsey Station, Twin Hills and Labelle Downs are being monitored where there are fires. In some cases, extreme and gusty wind conditions are making the fires difficult to contain.
It is no exaggeration to say the Top End of the Territory is burning. It is a source of extreme frustration to Bushfires NT and to those volunteer brigades. Many of these fires would be easy to manage and contain and the damage to property would be minimised as many of the fires have been fuelled as a result of some lax property owners. We are imploring them to abide by the law, install the necessary fire breaks and undertake fuel reduction. This will send out the strongest message: property owners who fail to install fire breaks are not only risking their own property, as they know, but they are also risking the lives of the volunteers. There will be action taken towards those owners who do not comply and install the necessary fire breaks.
Before I finish, Madam Speaker, I express my gratitude to all those volunteer firies who give up so much of their time to protect property and, more importantly, our environment.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Daly for his question. I know he is concerned because some of these bad bushfires we have had are affecting his electorate, as well as that of the member for Goyder. I apologise in advance if my answer is a bit long, but I feel it is important to explain the full extent of our fires. Particularly on our side, we know the importance of the land that is being burnt, to landowners and everyone affected by it. If the opposition feels that the long answer is not appropriate, that is up to them.
The 2006 fire season was predicted by Bushfires NT to be a difficult one, and they have been correct. In fact, this is shaping up to be one of the worst bushfire seasons on record. The long Wet Season provided an above average period of growth and delayed the carrying out of fuel reduction activity. Despite a strong awareness campaign in which rural residents were encouraged to install firebreaks and reduce fuel loads, unfortunately, many failed to act.
On Saturday, 9 September, a number of fires broke out in the Darwin rural area, sending volunteer brigades in a number of directions. The largest fire started in the Leonino Road area and took three days to control. During that time it accumulated some very sobering statistics: 38 km burnt; 158 blocks burnt; 21 properties significantly damaged; and, six dwellings badly damaged or destroyed. The fires took quite an investment and effort to fight: 50 volunteer fire fighters, including seven Bushfires NT staff; one ambulance; three tankers; 27 grass fire units; four private tractors; eight private utes with water tanks; three helicopters; one loader; two graders and a bobcat.
An estimate of the total amount of property lost would be difficult to make. However, whole mango orchards, houses, sheds, cars and machinery were destroyed. The final loss to the community will certainly be many millions of dollars. Even harder to estimate, though, is the value of the property saved. The Volunteer Bushfire Brigades worked tirelessly to save assets, including homes, crops and tourist infrastructure. In this they were largely successful and the value of property saved is in the millions.
The fires were eventually contained along boundaries where fuel reduction burns had been undertaken earlier in the season, proving beyond doubt that fuel reduction in the occupied areas outside Darwin is crucial to the protection from wildfire.
The efforts of the large number of volunteers is particularly commendable. Many worked long hours into the night …
Mrs Braham: You certainly know your subject. You have to read it.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: Member for Braitling, I am sure there are many people who are interested in this because there are …
Mrs Braham: Come on, minister, if you knew your subject you would tell us.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Braitling, cease interjecting.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: … particularly in relation to our volunteers. Many worked long shifts into the night over the entire weekend, and many put on their yellow fire retardant suits again on Monday and lost a day’s paid work to save the homes of other people. Many of us sitting here in Darwin, or other urban centres, fail to fully appreciate the value of our Volunteer Bushfire Brigades. I place on the record my appreciation, and I am sure all members in this House, our appreciation of their commitment. There are many rural property owners who have a lot to thank them for.
As I speak, Madam Speaker, there are serious wildfire threats at a number of other locations around the central and northern parts of the Territory. Muranji Station north-west of Newcastle Waters: this fire has expanded substantially in the last 24 hours and has jumped backburns. It is now moving west and threatens properties in the VRD. Bushfire staff and station personnel have done backburns around Muranji Homestead and they are now extending firebreaks further ahead of the flame front. Birrindudu Station in the southern VRD: this fire is now burning into productive country and is threatening infrastructure. Bushfires NT and station personnel are working to contain that fire.
The Douglas Daly region is burning, and has been for several days. The Douglas Daly fire has so far affected nine properties: Oolloo, Douglas Daly Research Farm, Bent Elbow, Midway, Middle Creek, Mainoru, Early Storm, Bungee Bungee and Ruby Downs. There has been some loss of pasture and fencing. A 3 km backburn last night appears to have contained this fire, but volunteer brigades and station staff are staying on-site to monitor the situation as the weather continues to be extreme.
Two large fires in Kakadu and Central Arnhem have joined up and are being monitored.
Ms CARNEY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The minister apologised before her answer and we have been extraordinarily patient. I ask that you direct the minister to table the rest of her answer, as members of the opposition, and indeed some of her colleagues, are being deprived of the opportunity of asking our questions.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, there is no point of order. I am hopeful that the minister’s answer is almost complete.
Ms SCRYMGOUR: I am almost finished, Madam Speaker. The fires are quite extensive. Elsey Station, Twin Hills and Labelle Downs are being monitored where there are fires. In some cases, extreme and gusty wind conditions are making the fires difficult to contain.
It is no exaggeration to say the Top End of the Territory is burning. It is a source of extreme frustration to Bushfires NT and to those volunteer brigades. Many of these fires would be easy to manage and contain and the damage to property would be minimised as many of the fires have been fuelled as a result of some lax property owners. We are imploring them to abide by the law, install the necessary fire breaks and undertake fuel reduction. This will send out the strongest message: property owners who fail to install fire breaks are not only risking their own property, as they know, but they are also risking the lives of the volunteers. There will be action taken towards those owners who do not comply and install the necessary fire breaks.
Before I finish, Madam Speaker, I express my gratitude to all those volunteer firies who give up so much of their time to protect property and, more importantly, our environment.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016