BUSHFIRE PREVENTION

In reply to the Hon. A. BRESSINGTON (14 November 2012).

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation): As the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation I have received this advice:

1. The Country Fire Service is the responsible agency for coordinating bushfire risk assessments in South Australia. The Country Fire Service, the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources and the Natural Resources Management Council are represented on the State Bushfire Coordination Committee, the statutory body overseeing South Australia's bushfire readiness.

The Country Fire Service, the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources and the Natural Resources Management Boards are also represented on Regional Bushfire Management Committees. The Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources is responsible for bushfire planning and preparedness on land under my care and control and works closely with the Country Fire Service in implementing mitigation strategies to reduce the impact of bushfires.

2. The Country Fire Service is the qualified and authorised agency responsible for giving directions to farmers on bushfire preparedness. Farmers seeking advice about bushfire preparedness should visit the Country Fire Service website at www.cfs.sa.gov.au, or call the Country Fire Service Bushfire Information Hotline on 1300 362 361, or contact their nearest Country Fire Service Regional Office.

3. Only NRM officers that are authorised under the Natural Resources Management Act 2004 can serve a notice to remove weeds proclaimed under the Act, which would serve to reduce fire risk.

I am advised that the plant in question, Acacia paradoxa, is indigenous to South Australia and other parts of southern Australia and is not a noxious weed. Acacia paradoxa is often confused with Acacia nilotica which is a noxious weed and is also commonly referred to as Prickly Acacia.

4. I am advised that one of the most important actions for maintaining water quality is to keep stock out of watercourses, and to have properly managed and maintained stock watering points away from natural watercourses so that physical damage and impacts on water quality are minimised.

5. Fencing is not compulsory, unless Chapter 7 of the Natural Resources Management Act 2004, which relates to the management and protection of water resources, is breached.

6. Landowners are encouraged to develop Bushfire Survival Plans and are responsible for their own bushfire preparedness. The Country Fire Service is currently undertaking an extensive Bushfire Management Area Planning process, which aims to identify the bushfire risk in each Bushfire Management Area and put strategies in place for reducing that risk. This will include identifying appropriate fire water access points and ensuring that access to rural properties by fire appliances is maintained.

7. NRM officers possess a variety of formal training in land management, bush management, watercourse management and animal and plant pest control.