Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett is fighting for clearer reporting of fires following a few smoky weeks across the Burnett Electorate.
Mr Bennett tabled a Question on Notice asking the Minister for the Environment to consider consolidating the reporting of fires, both planned and wildfire. *
Mr Bennett said the recent smoke from controlled burns has caused a lot of angst across the community.
“The last few weeks have been very smoky, and residents are quite rightly concerned,” he said.
“It’s very difficult to find exactly where the smoke is coming from with each department logging separate information.
“My office has been inundated with calls from concerned locals who are either completely unaware of the planned burns or tried but failed to find the correct information.
“There needs to be one site that’s accessible by volunteer responders and the general public that’s updated by both Queensland Parks and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services.”
Mr Bennett said it’s vital the community is informed.
“Our region knows all too well about the dangers of bushfires,” he said.
“We’ve lived through horrendous fires, but we also recovered.
“We know these control burns are essential but when your street is filled with smoke and you don’t know about the burns, it can be very scary.
“Being informed is our first form of defence which is why I look forward to working with the Minister to deliver a consolidated fire reporting system.”
Local resident Flora Wellington said last week’s smoke coverage was a wake-up call.
“The community needs to know where fires are and what their status is,” she said.
“Whether that fire starts from a national park, private land, controlled or a bush fire.
“When you see huge plumes of smoke coming towards you and you can’t find out whether the fire is an imminent or soon-to-be imminent danger, there is fear. It is a fear of the unknown.
“Right now, right here, north of Bundaberg, we have extremely high fuel loads for fire.
“We had a good season earlier so grass and weeds grew very well. Now all that product is dry fuel for fires.
“As recipients of the smoke, ash, and fear, it is essential that community members know where fires are and whether they are under control or not.
“Right now, we cannot find that information.
“Sometimes a fire is logged onto the permitted burn website, which does not and really cannot show real time fires. Sometimes QPWS put their fires on their parks alert. Sometimes local Facebook groups have information. So there are numerous places to look for information and many times, that information cannot be found.
Ms Wellington said other states have successful reporting methods.
“When we were travelling through northern NSW (volunteering for Blaze Aid), there was an app that had every fire near you, and you could see the status,” said Ms Wellington.
“There is a Western Australian government website called My Fire Watch; it updates depending on satellites. It gives hot spots with real-time information about current fires.
“Fires kill animals. Fires kill people. Fires destroy property. Being informed about risk is the only way you can mitigate risk.”
* https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableoffice/questionsanswers/2023/728-2023.pdf
ENDS.
19/06/2023