Page 299 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 7 March 2007
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certainly like to see that particular process begun here. I believe that it could be done around the CFUs.
In regard to fuel levels and firebreak standards, these are already dealt with for each fuel management zone in appendix 4 of the SBMP. Provisional maps 6 and 7 show the fuel management zones on unleased land to which these standards apply. I am sure that Mr Pratt is aware that version 2 is also supposed to contain fuel management zoning across all other land zones which would be managed by the various techniques as outlined in the SBMP. Again, we look forward to the development of version 2.
I think that the SBMP cannot lay down every task for every area in one simple time line. That would make it a very unwieldy document and consequently of little practical use. Its role is to give advice and set policies which can underpin the BOPs and other operational plans. Comprehensive management plans for each area would also cover regular assessment of fire risks and necessary actions.
In conclusion, I do agree that there needs to be more work done to prepare Canberra against firestorms and perhaps to ensure that fires do not become firestorms, but I do not think that this bill is the answer. I support Mr Pratt’s proposal regarding noting—noting—the vulnerable places along the New South Wales and ACT border and the need for more BOPs in localised areas. However, I cannot support this bill for all the reasons I have outlined, largely because I do not think the Emergencies Act is the place for many of these proposals. I would rather see collaborative and consultative work done in finalising the strategic bushfire management plan.
MR SMYTH (Brindabella) (4.01): Mr Temporary Deputy Speaker, the Minister for Police and Emergency Services began his speech by saying, “Mr Pratt has got it wrong.” He said that Mr Pratt wants the commissioner to do things that the chief officers are meant to do. Perhaps the minister has not read his act, because yesterday in a press release from the commissioner of the ACT Emergency Service Agency we were told that a number of the positions that are set out in law are to be abolished. Let me read the press release. It states:
Two Deputy Commissioners will replace the current four Chief Officers and one Assistant Commissioner ...
Mr Corbell: They will still exercise the legal powers.
MR SMYTH: Sorry, Mr Corbell?
Mr Corbell: They will still exercise the chief officers’ powers.
MR SMYTH: The press release continues:
The Deputy Commissioners will hold the role and delegations currently held by the Chief Officers and also supervise supporting functions.
He then goes on to say:
The role of the Deputy Chief Officers … will be … renamed Operations Manager.
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