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Legislative Council - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2016-11-29 Daily Xml
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Pinery Bushfires

The Hon. T.T. NGO (15:22): My question is to the Minister for Emergency Services. Can the minister tell the chamber about the anniversary of the Pinery bushfire?

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (15:22): I thank the Hon. Mr Ngo for his important question around a very significant event. Last Friday was a day of both sadness and reflection as we marked the one-year anniversary since the devastating Pinery bushfire, one of the largest and fastest moving fires that our state has ever seen. It was a day to stop and remember Janet Hughes and Allan Tiller, who tragically lost their lives in the fire, as well as those who sustained injuries. It was also a time to reflect on the impacts caused through the loss of livestock, homes and infrastructure as the fire raged across 82,000 hectares, causing damages of more than $75 million.

It was an enormous undertaking for our emergency services sector, but shoulder to shoulder they worked as one to respond, with over 1,000 CFS volunteers and staff and over 200 MFS firefighters—all the while ably supported by other partner agencies and emergency services and 311 firefighters from Victoria. One of the most significant findings of the Noetic Solutions independent report into the CFS's operational response was that the conditions experienced on the day of the fire prohibited any possibility of containment until the weather improved. The fire front was as fast as it was ferocious.

SAPOL's Task Force Pinery has since determined that the cause of the blaze was likely a car battery that was left alongside a wire fence in a paddock. A police report is still being prepared for the State Coroner, who may also conduct a separate inquiry. The Pinery fire also presented valuable lessons for the CFS across a range of areas, including public information, aviation and interagency operations. An action plan has been developed to address lessons learned, with work well underway. Indeed, many of the actions identified by the report have already been implemented by the CFS.

As a government, we recognise the significance of this event, and that is why we have implemented and fast-tracked measures such as the $9.3 million over four years to accelerate the replacement and retrofit of CFS trucks with lifesaving, burn-over technology, and $6.3 million over four years for extra volunteer training announced in the state budget. We will continue to ensure that we are doing all we can to support the invaluable work our emergency services volunteers and staff do each and every day.

The impact of such a devastating and large-scale emergency event is still being felt by the community, and recovery activities continue to provide long-term support to individuals, businesses and communities alike. Community leaders have been closely working with the local recovery coordinator and a range of government agencies over the past year. This important engagement has been vital to ensuring that recovery services are designed around the needs of those affected by the fire. Meanwhile, the CFS has continued to engage with the local community, assisting locals with bushfire and fire preparedness through events and workshops.

As I have previously spoken about in this place, now is also a time for South Australians to prepare for the bushfire season that is well and truly upon us. I urge all members to spread the message throughout the community about the CFS's new online tool called 'My plan to survive', which allows people to prepare their bushfire action plans online. Action plans can be saved on mobile phones and shared with family and friends. It is a reality of life in South Australia that we will encounter bushfires, and it is up to all of us to have a plan in place so we are ready to respond when they do occur.

As we reflect on the anniversary of the Pinery fire, our condolences remain with the families of those who, sadly, lost their lives in the fire and with all those who lost livestock, homes, sheds and other infrastructure and who felt the impact of this devastating event. Ahead of this year's bushfire season, we know that other bushfires will happen. Our thoughts will always be with our volunteers who put their lives on the line in the service of the community.

Only last night, I had the opportunity to visit the training night at the Virginia CFS—another one of our fine brigades in the CFS in South Australia. I had a great opportunity to talk directly with volunteers in that particular brigade, which has a long and proud history. These men and women do outstanding work, and our thoughts are with them as they yet again, through their own sacrifice, will be serving the South Australian community.

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