Pinery Bushfires

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON (Ramsay—Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (14:11): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: On Wednesday 25 November 2015, the Pinery bushfire started and escalated rapidly across four local council areas in the Mid North. Two lives were tragically lost and 31 members of our community injured. To commemorate this significant occasion as the one-year anniversary approaches, several community events have been planned across the coming weeks for those who were impacted by this tragedy.

The weekend before the anniversary, on Sunday 20 November, there will be a commemorative service followed by a barbecue lunch held at 10am at the Mallala Uniting Church on Traeger Road. At 5.30pm that same day, the Owen Community Church and Owen Community Committee will co-host a community thanksgiving event at the Owen Institute, which will begin with music, reflection and a minute of silence, followed by a free community barbecue.

On the actual Pinery bushfire anniversary, Friday 25 November, the Wasley Community Group will host a thanksgiving event at the Wasley Institute, which will include a service conducted by Reverend Dr Phil Marshall, followed by a family barbecue. The Hamley Bridge Community Association events subcommittee will also host a 'coffee, cake and chat' event at the Hamley Bridge Institute from 3pm to 6pm, and the Mallala Uniting Church on Traeger Road will be open for people who may like to attend for quiet reflection between 10am and 1pm. The following weekend, on Sunday 27 November, there will be a community catch-up at Hamley Bridge Community Sports and Recreation Centre on Stockport Road.

These events will provide an excellent opportunity for the affected communities to come together and remember those who were lost, while also being reminded of the enormous outpouring of support they have received from across the state. One of the pillars of disaster recovery is the recovery of the local economy. The recent rains we experienced have resulted in crops in the area being equal to or better than many over recent years.

Whilst the economic recovery could be said to be on a positive trajectory, we must not lose sight of the psychological impact and burden carried by many who experienced trauma and loss in the fire. What is really important is that the communities are provided support through this next bushfire season. There are already heightened emotions in these communities as prevailing weather conditions remind them of this fateful day. This is why the recovery effort for those affected communities will continue into the new year.