ACT Coroners report on Bushfires

[amtravic1]

Hi all,
Several members of our network have sent (without comment) the link to Coroner Maria Doogan’s report on the 2003 fires in the ACT.
As we have just experienced another monster bushfire (which may not be over) Coroner Doogan’s findings, especially on government culpability and the lack of fuel reduction burning are particularly relevant. Her recommendations begin at page 4 of her report so even though it’s a huge document (433 pages) the important findings are easily accessible.


http://www.courts.act.gov.au/BushfireInquiry/The Canberra Firestorm Report/The Canberra Firestorm Report.htm (http://www.courts.act.gov.au/BushfireInquiry/The%20Canberra%20Firestorm%20Report/The%20Canberra%20Firestorm%20Report.htm)

[Bushie]

Around 900 pages thats a fair bit of reading.


Martyn

[Pedro_The_Swift]

I'm sure someone is PAID to read it,,,

Its up to them to bring the revelent points to the Ministers attention,,

[Bushie]

Downloaded it around a week ago.

Some of the findings relevant to 4WDers


the difficulties encountered by firefighters, who were confronted with tracks and trails that were overgrown, having not been maintained for easy access by fire crews and firefighting vehicles

that a program be implemented to ensure that existing fire trails and tracks are cleared ands accessible at all times and that a network of additional fire trails be established so as to allow direct fire suppression operations without undue delay in the event of a wildfire
Whether these recommendations will be acted upon by the ACT government remains to be seen. Given however, the rumblings coming from Victoria as a result of the recent high country fires where the same issues have been raised maybe, there is some hope of a relaxation of the restrictions.

Unfortunately 4Wders are sometimes their own worst ememies when it comes to tread lightly principles.


Martyn

[Bush65]

Downloaded it around a week ago.

Some of the findings relevant to 4WDers



Whether these recommendations will be acted upon by the ACT government remains to be seen. Given however, the rumblings coming from Victoria as a result of the recent high country fires where the same issues have been raised maybe, there is some hope of a relaxation of the restrictions.

Unfortunately 4Wders are sometimes their own worst ememies when it comes to tread lightly principles.


Martyn
Does this last statement relate to something in the coroner's report?

If so how?

[Bushie]

Does this last statement relate to something in the coroner's report?

If so how?
Doesn't relate to anything (that I've found yet) but more a personal observation. Having tracks opened up on the basis that they would be more likely to be available when the next wildfire comes along will bring a raft of other problems associated with 4WDs
ie at what point should the tracks be closed if we get some real wet weather
how do you handle the guy with 38" tyres that likes to rip up the trail, or the ones that decide to "bush bash" and create a new track.

This is not meant to be a comment on any individual just a general observation.


Martyn

[Bush65]

I understand what you are saying, I was concerned whether the coroner had drawn any conclusions about track damage by 4wd's.

[101RRS]

I don't think the issue of 4wds on tracks and keeping them open is relavant the 2003 fires in the ACT and the Coroners report - simply the fires started in NSW in the Brindabella National Park - the tracks in this park are open to 4wds and are generallly maintained in good condition. There is currently no plans to close this park. The (then) forests in the ACT are/were open to 4wds and again there is no move to close them.

If the fire had started further south in the Namadji National Park things woulod have been different but that park in recent history has always been closed to vehicles so again is not an issue for 4wds.

Living in the fire area and being through the fires, there are no doubt plenty of lessons to be learn't but the aspect of 4wds helping to keep tracks open I don't believe is an important component of this report.

Gazzz

[Bushie]

Actually only one of the fires originated in the ACT, the McIntyres Hut fire all the others were within the ACT


I find that the stockyard spur fire began on 8th January 2003 at about 3:14pm in the vicinity of grid reference 633651, near the overgrown Stockyard Spur firetrail
The reference to overgrown trails is in the context that it was difficulties with access that delayed control of the fires in the very early stages.


Martyn