Firefighters have applauded the Prime Minister’s call to rewrite hazard reduction and landclearing rules in the wake of the fires that have ravaged the nation since September.
Scott Morrison also signalled it was time to reconsider where houses can be built.
Speaking to the media in Sydney before flying to Bega yesterday afternoon, Mr Morrison said there was “a need to address issues around hazard reduction for national parks, dealing with landclearing laws, zoning laws and planning laws around people’s properties and where they can be built in countries like Australia, up and down the coast”.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison talks about bushfire reform. Picture: AAP
“That being the case with the climatic effects of what we are seeing, there are many restrictions around those effects that have to be reviewed on the basis on the broader climatic effect we are seeing in this country,” Mr Morrison said.
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The PM said there were “many contributing factors” to the fire season, none more significant than the drought which had “created a tinderbox around the country” and seen “these fires run for long periods of time, particularly when there is no dousing rain that has normally followed.”
Mr Morrison said the issue of “fuel loads” was also “very clear”.
Fires have ravaged different parts of our nation, causing death and destruction. Picture: Saeed Khan/AFP
“That has been a constant source of feedback by those on the ground,” he said.
“Issues in national parks and issues of hazard reduction and how that has worked over a period of time, that needs to be looked at undoubtedly.”
NSW Volunteer Fire Fighters Association President Mick Holton said the PM’s comments were “excellent”.
“We need to ensure we reduce hazards,” Mr Holton said.
“The problem is the red tape surround it has become so complex it is almost in the too hard basket.”
Last month the federal government asked parliament’s environment and energy committee to begin an inquiry into land and vegetation management. The terms of reference include examining “the science and research behind activities such as hazard reduction burning, clearing and rehabilitation”. The inquiry is currently taking submissions.
Mr Morrison and his wife Jenny flew to Bega yesterday afternoon and met with local firefighters. The PM was also briefed at the local Rural Fire Service control centre.
