Legislative Council Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3) 51 3 Parliament of South Australia Legislative Council published Answers to Questions Bushfires BUSHFIRES The Hon. R.D. LAWSON Legislative Council BUSHFIRES In reply to the Hon. R.D. LAWSON (2 April 2008). The Hon. G.E. GAGO Legislative Council Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy BUSHFIRES The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy): The Minister for Environment and Conservation has provided the following information: 1.	The Department for Environment and Heritage (DEH) policy on grass slashing, prior to the Brownhill Creek fire event, is contained in its Safe Work Practice SWP-012, (operational date 1 June 2003). This document states that if there is any fire danger then workers are to ensure that they have appropriate fire fighting equipment, and if the fire risk is high then a second person should be present. This policy is applied by DEH staff in addition to the relevant requirements of the Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005. 2.	A revised interim state-wide policy was implemented post the Brownhill Creek incident (which occurred on 17 January 2008) to mitigate against further possible ignitions associated with grass slashing operations until the end of the fire danger period. The state-wide departmental policy and procedure for slashing will be in place prior to the 2008-09 fire danger season. This revised policy will include actions needed to be taken by DEH staff to further minimise the risk of slashing activities igniting fires over and above any requirements mandated by the Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005. This policy will be regularly reviewed and updated as required.