The impact of fire across the region has been catastrophic and has caused massive asset and stock loss.
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The personal and financial trauma ahead for those impacted by these fires will be monumental, with the only saving grace being those affected surely know they have enormous community support.
Apart from local groups, right across Australia, in a spirit that defines us, the community's purses and hearts have been opened.
NO TIME FOR BLAME GAME
Now is not the time for the blame game. However, any findings from subsequent inquiries will likely once again be buried over time.
Of course, global warming is being blamed.
If it can be shown that this has resulted in burgeoning fuel loads, so be it.
If global warming resulted in the Upper Murray having a record season for pasture growth, the argument has legs. If so, how do we deal with it on the ground in the future?
The question that must be posed is that if the highly vaunted fuel reduction programs had been implemented would the ferocity of the fires been lessened?
Should we stop burning coal, should we take vehicles off the road, or should we take the aeroplanes out of the sky?
The answers I do not have.
However, we should be able to influence governments on community expectations for fuel reduction programs and their efficacy.
There should also be some form of compulsory insurance.
We need to ensure assistance to farmers is covered by a national strategy unlike now, where NSW farmers receive a freight subsidy but Victorians do not.
Currently, in the state of Victoria, a sizable freight subsidy is only available on donated fodder.
FIRE-RESISTANT HOUSES
With so many homes lost in the fire only houses rated to the Building Code of Australia, BAL-FZ (Bushfire Attack level - Flame Zone) standard should be built.
However, these standards have only been trialled in small experimental situations but never in the real world.
Another fire event in the next 10-15 years would prove or disprove the effectiveness of the Building Code of Australia in relation to fire-resistant housing.
The question remains "When building in fire-prone areas why aren't people building fire-resistant houses?"
There are most likely many reasons including:
- the increased cost of about 20 per cent.
- complex regulations.
- regulatory enforcement by ignorant or over officious persons.
- lack of awareness of the significant selection of fire-resistant house designs. available.
- desire to rebuild homes quickly.
- the lack of encouragement by the government or society.
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