Gary's Speeches

Bushfires - Forest Access

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"During the recent bushfires a huge amount of money, time, effort and risk was put into constructing containment lines, firebreaks and access tracks to assist the firefighting effort on public land. These tracks were constructed by timber harvesting contractors and earthmoving contractors and their crews. A considerable amount of taxpayers money was expended to pay for their construction. "

"Following the fire events of 2003 and 2006 these types of tracks were permanently closed, also at considerable cost to the taxpayer. These firebreaks are constructed either to provide access for road vehicles, so back-burning may be conducted from tankers and slip-ons, or to contain and stop the advance of fires. "

Surely it would make good sense to conduct an analysis of these tracks to assess their strategic importance in the event of future bushfires and to assist future controlled fuel reduction burning. If kept open and maintained in future, they could well provide access for fuel reduction burning operations and quick and timely responses to lightning strikes in these areas. It seems ridiculous to permanently close off these tracks without proper regard for their future usefulness. "

"There is no doubt that they must be treated as soon as possible to protect water quality and prevent soil erosion. This can be done without closing them off permanently. I call on the Premier to place a moratorium on the permanent closure of these containment lines, firebreaks and access tracks until after the royal commission has been completed and a strategic analysis of these tracks has been conducted. "