ACT BUSHFIRE COUNCIL
Meeting 5/2005
24th November 2005 - 3.00pm-6.00pm
Executive Conference Room 1
Emergency Services Authority
123 Carruthers Street, Curtin ACT 2605
Attendees
Dave Broderick
Dee Watson
Simon Katz
Stephen Wise
Michael Lonergan
Bruce Leaver
Kevin Jeffery
Geoff Butler
Peter Kanowski
Michael Ross
Tony Bartlett
Chair
Secretariat
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
ex-Officio
Member
Apologies
David Prince
Peter Dunn
Jo Matthews
ex-Officio
ex-Officio
Member
1. Opening and Introduction by Chairman
Dave Broderick opened the meeting at 3:05pm.
The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed.
The table of Actions was reviewed.
Business Arising:
Namadgi Plan
A discussion ensued with regard to the draft of the Namadgi Plan. It was stated that
there are still a couple of items that could be contentious from an environmental and a
financial standpoint, particularly in relation to a link road at Corin. This road has
been identified in the Bushfire Management Plan, but was always noted by some
community sectors as a contentious proposal for a variety of reasons
Peter Kanowski asked about the Stockyard Spur Road in particular its design and fire
management effect, limitations and purpose. A general discussion ensued. Council
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agreed that any Stockyard Spur road needed only to provide appropriate access for
bushfire management and firefighting vehicles, and must be engineered to appropriate
environmental standards."
It was stressed that, where practical, the old tracks should be reopened, rather than
cutting new ones within the National Parks.
Kevin Jeffery undertook to provide an updated copy of the Plan and email it to Dee
Watson to be printed on BFC letterhead. Any further comment to Kevin by 12pm on
Monday.
Action:
Council Members to provide final comments to Kevin Jeffery by 12noon on Monday
28 November, for inclusion in the Namadgi Plan.
Kevin Jeffery to update plan and provide to Dee Watson for printing on Council
letterhead.
Environment Australia Presentation:
Julie Crawford and Steve Horsley from the Department of Environment and
Conservation presented an update on the work of the Department since the 2003 fires.
Some of the work includes:

Fire trails – close to $1m spent on upgrades and rehabilitation of trails including
river crossings.

Reviewing MOU between National Parks and the ACT.

Brindabella National Park – removal of dangerous trees

Hazard Reduction burning
Emerging Issues:
Development of Fire Management Plan for Brindabella National Park and Kosciusko
National Park
New Agenda Items:
None identified
Correspondence:
The only correspondence received was a brochure from ACTPLA entitled “Shape”.
Bushfire Operations Plans:
General comments were made in relation the Bushfire Operations Plans Presentation
given at the last meeting.
Commissioners Report:
No report as the Commissioner was not present at the meeting.
Rural Fire Service:
Hazard Reduction in WA & Victorian Catchments:
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Michael Ross discussed a tour he had undertaken with the Commissioner and other
ACT CEO’s, of catchment areas around Perth and Melbourne to examine the use of
fire in these catchments.
Essentially the tour outlined the enormous benefit of regular & strategic hazard
reduction programs in catchment areas and the benefit of having reduced fuel areas
over a mosaic across the landscape.
CAF’s Update:
Three Isuzu 1800 litre CAF’s (Compressed Air Foam) units were commissioned
yesterday by the Minister. A further three 3,000L units have been ordered and are due
for arrival in February 2006.
Training Upcoming:
Over the next few weeks the RFS are holding hover exit and working around aircraft,
fitness for remote area fire-fighting and culminating in a major remote area exercise
based at Namadgi on December 10th.
Aircraft Arrival:
Both the squirrel and the Bell 212 helicopters arrive on November 25th for a 12-week
stay.
Wangary Report:
A synopsis of the finding of the Wangary fire in SA was distributed and will be
addressed at a future meeting.
Stromlo ICC:
The flyaway kit (comprising computers, printers, faxes and phones) used for Incident
Control Centres will be trialled at the Stromlo depot on Monday November 28th.
Other RFS:
Michael Ross distributed a document in relation to Workcover report.
Tony Bartlett asked what would be done this year in relation to grass growth. RFS are
currently looking at roadside burning rather than roadside slashing. A proposal will
go to departments next week.
Dave Broderick asked about Rick McRae’s Risk Assessment and asked for patterns
on the likelihood of the arsonist striking this year on either Christmas Day or New
Year’s Day.
Tony Bartlett raised the question of whether or not aerial patrols could be done with
publicity to try to discourage arsonists. Michael stated that he had had talks with
experts in this field who state that this would only encourage certain personality types.
RFS Report on Vehicles:
Dave Broderick asked about the problems with air intake in the new trucks, which is
the same as the air intake in the older vehicles.
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Dave asked that an Engineer look over the older vehicles in order to establish whether
or not they were safe to keep in the fleet.
Tony Bartlett enquired about the use of the 5 large tankers with petrol pumps on grass
fires. Michael Ross confirmed that these tankers would be available for first response
to grassfires during 05/06 but only for mop up at forest fires.
Fire Brigade
No report was available as David Prince was unavailable to attend the meeting.
Kevin Jeffery
Kevin Jeffery stated that the Volunteer Brigade Association had recently held their
AGM, Kevin was not able to attend.
Kevin advised that Barricade Gel had been trialled at Tharwa and that he would be
arranging a presentation and possibly a short demonstration at a later date.
Action:
Kevin Jeffery to arrange a presentation and possibly a short demonstration of
Barricade Gel at a future meeting.
Michael Lonergan
Michael Lonergan raised his concerns regarding door lining/ door cavities, which
become toxic in extreme heat. The RFS are doing tests on this. Michael advised that
he has found a company in WA who makes aluminium linings for certain types of
vehicles.
A third trial of Barricade Gel was held at Tharwa last week to great effect. A number
of pine pallets were covered and also a vehicle. Michael strongly suggested that one
vehicle in each brigade be equipped with the Gel allowing the vehicles to be covered
in the Gel if caught in a fire.
Michael Ross stated although this is the only non-petrochemical product on the
market that this product has not yet been approved by the US. It is also necessary to
not be seen to be endorsing a specific product.
Confirmation of Next Meeting:
The next meeting of the Bushfire Council is scheduled for December 22nd. The
meeting will be held at Legislative Assembly with Minister Hargreaves.
The meeting closed at 5:40pm
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Meeting 5/2005 – 24th November, 2005 - Action Items:
Meeting No:
2005/05
2005/05
2005/05
2005/05
2005/04
2005/04
2005/04
2005/04
2005/03
2005/03
2005/03
2005/03
2005/03
Action Item:
Arrange a presentation and possibly a short demonstration of
Barricade Gel at a future meeting.
Provide final comments to Kevin Jeffery by 12noon on Monday 28
November, for inclusion in the Namadgi Plan.
Provide final document to Dee Watson for printing on Council
letterhead.
Print Namadgi Plan on Bushfire Council Letterhead
Action Officer:
Kevin Jeffery
Outcome:
All Members
Completed
Kevin Jeffery
Done
Dee Watson
Completed and sent via
email and post
Report back to Council when CSIRO report in relation to foam testing
is received.
Members to report back to Council at the December meeting in
relation to the “Bushfire Operational Plans 2004 – 05, Report on
Activities” which was distributed.
Namadgi Plan – comments need to be incorporated into document and
distributed to Members, prior to being made into a submission.
Brindabella Fire Management Plan – Julie Crawford to be invited to
the November meeting.
Go through the Wangary report to see if the ACT can answer all
questions, then report back to Council.
Supply TRN coverage diagrams to Council.
David Prince
All
Completed
Geoff Butler
Completed by Kevin
Jeffery
Attending November
meeting
Distributed to Members
Michael Ross
Rod Shaw
Find out the timeline for NSW building a site at Cooma for their TRN. Rod Shaw
Speak with Brian Parry regarding the pump and trolley unit made
Kevin Jeffery
specifically for use with swimming pools.
Investigate what procedures could be put into place in order to
Michael Ross
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Completed
Completed
manage the older vehicles in the field.
2005/03
2005/03
2005/03
2005/03
2005/02
2005/02
2005/02
2005/02
2005/02
2005/02
2005/01
2005/01
2005/01
Investigate the cost for replacement of:
1)
Engine
2)
Pump
3)
Whole vehicle
Seek advice from OH & S people within ESA in relation to using
older vehicles as first strike vehicles for this season, whilst waiting for
the new vehicles to arrive.
Provide information to the Minister in relation to the fleet vehicles
that need to be replaced.
Confirm venue of next meeting.
Discuss Forward Planning
Formally invite the Head of Parks to address the meeting.
Update on roll out of the TRN – Presentation to the Council in
October
Update of Asset Management Plan for Vehicles at next meeting for
advice from Council.
Provide comment on “Lessons from the 2003 Bushfires” to Dee
Watson via email.
Provide a report in relation to the Bushfire Management School at the
next meeting.
Brief Council on the response provided by the RFS in response to a
request made by ActewAGL in relation the implications of
implementing a “Zero Fire” policy within the Cotter Catchment area.
Kevin Jeffery asked that a status report be given at the next meeting in
relation to new radios.
Tony Bartlett raised the need to discuss the implications of the Civil
Actions being taken as a result of the 2003 Bushfires.
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Michael Ross
Completed
Michael Ross
Report given to Council
Council
Dee Watson
All
Michael Ross
Completed
Progressive
Invited
Peter Dunn
Report Supplied
All
Ongoing
Peter Dunn
Ongoing
Nick Lhuede (RFS)
Done
Peter Dunn
Done
All
Discussed
2005/01
2005/01
2005/01
2005/01
2005/01
2005/01
2005/01
Letters of appreciation to be sent to past Members of Council.
Ensure that a letter of appreciation was sent to the Flint family.
Peter Dunn suggested inviting relevant people from NSW RFS or
NSW National Parks to attend a Bushfire Council Meeting to discuss
fuel management.
Documentation to be supplied at the next meeting in relation to
“keeping tracks open”.
Tony Bartlett offered to provide a copy of Urban Services Risk
Assessment.
Review Key Lessons From the 2003 Fires, for further discussion next
meeting.
Dave Broderick to invite Government Solicitor to attend meeting.
Peter Dunn/ Minister
Dave Broderick
Michael Ross
Agreed by the Minister
Sent
In train
Bruce Leaver
Distributed
Tony Bartlett
Given to Michael Ross
All
Progressive
Dave Broderick
Agreed
Send out Induction Packs to new Members not present at the meeting.
Dee Watson
Packs posted.
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