Bruce Esplin: "Areas will be too risky to live in"
BUSHFIRE risk may make parts of Victoria uninhabitable, Emergency Services Commissioner Bruce Esplin has told a conference.
He said an increase in bushfires and other natural disasters due to climate change may make some places too dangerous to live. But Mr Esplin said most Victorians were sensible and knew to stay away from homes in dangerous areas on total fire ban days, and warned against creating a nanny state by forcing choices on people.
''There are places where we should probably stop people building,'' he told an audience of public servants in Canberra yesterday.
''There have been attempts in Victoria in the past to buy back such properties and they have been staunchly resisted by those who live there. If this fire risk is real, and is going to become more frequent, some of our life choices might not be a choice in future.''
He also warned policy makers about the implications of making quick decisions soon after a disaster such as Black Saturday.
TOM ARUP
This story was found at: http://www.theage.com.au/national/areas-will-be-too-risky-to-live-in-20090903-f9za.html
September 4, 2009 - 12:00AM
Comments
LwtB certaining doesn't advocate not living in Bushland areas
We have provided this and other articles from newspapers as a way of collecting in one place public response to the 10/30 rule announcement. The above article reflect some statements made by Bruce Esplin the Victorian Emergency Services Commissioner.
Its inclusion is to stimulate discussion. Members of the website can make comments. Or anyone can send in feedback via the contact form - we will post any comment of merit and that is respectful differing views.
My take on the key message here is that the State Government needs to seriously reconsider its plans to allow further expansion of Melbourne out into the 'fire fringe'. How can they morally justify putting more people into these risky situations. This is simply repeating the mistakes of the past but this time with the benefit of hindsight.
Building a fire bunker
If you are thinking about building a fire bunker, check out Ian Pullar's document:
home.iprimus.com.au/ianpullar/firebunkers.htm
It covers much of what you need to know and has links to suppliers and components.