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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-06-02 Daily Xml
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BUSHFIRE PLANNING

460 The Hon. G.M. GUNN (Stuart) (10 March 2009).

1. What assurances are there that Departmental officers or inspectors will not be measuring firebreaks constructed when containing fires under the authority of the Country Fire Service?

2. What instructions have been given to Departmental inspectors in relation to firebreaks, access tracks and other fire prevention measures, and is it their aim to make hazard reduction and fire prevention as difficult as possible?

3. Will grazing on national parks to reduce combustible material be allowed so that the hazard to the public is reduced?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for Early Childhood Development, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister Assisting the Premier in Cabinet Business and Public Sector Management):

1. During a fire emergency, the clearance of native vegetation deemed necessary to assist manage the fire is the responsibility of the SACFS. Such clearance is exempt from the provisions of the Native Vegetation Act.

2. The Native Vegetation Council has established a Fire Sub-Committee to consider and approve bushfire prevention plans developed by local bushfire prevention committees, groups of landholders, or individual landholders. The three-person committee includes the Deputy Chief Officer of the CFS, a person representing local government, and a person representing the Native Vegetation Council.

3. The committee has delegated authority from the Native Vegetation Council to approve clearance of native vegetation for fire protection purposes. The sub-committee was established to bring focused expertise to decisions relating to fire management, and to speed up the decision process.

4. The Chief Officer of the CFS is on the record that he is satisfied that these arrangements are working effectively.

5. Conservation Reserves in South Australia are set aside under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 for public benefit and enjoyment and to provide for the conservation of wildlife in a natural environment. The Department for Environment and Heritage, which is responsible for the management of these reserves, will consider fuel management options that align with these objectives. This can include grazing, but only in limited cases where, combined with other management objectives, it is considered desirable.

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