In some areas, October has notched up decade topping rainfalls; however, is this a harbinger for what is to come - severe bushfire risk.
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We are all aware that fuel is a major factor in severe bushfires, and right now, there is grass everywhere, and soon stubbles will add to a burgeoning problem.
Across south eastern Australia, controlled burning predictably has been curtailed by intermittent or continual rain, so a hot, windy summer is sure to drive bush fire concerns.
Currently, four per cent of Victorian power lines are underground.
- David Everist
The causes of bushfires are many and varied; however high on the list would be misadventure, wanton arson, lightning strike and failure of electric poles and wires.
Governments are well aware of the latter, made starkly evident at post-bushfire inquiries.
Simply, at times, power lines and the environment do not coexist.
Great effort is made to keep powerlines clear of vegetation but is this the answer?
In Victoria, the government has schemes to move power lines underground in high-risk situations and offer generous assistance to private landholders to move supply lines underground.
Victoria requires new subdivisions to be provided with underground power connections.
In rural areas of Victoria, householders are encouraged to run the line from the nearest distribution point to the house underground.
While still a small proportion of the total kilometres of distribution lines, this option is gaining favour. Currently, four per cent of Victorian power lines are underground.
It is interesting that all costings of moving power lines underground are based on visual impact, traffic hazard and tree hazard impact in supply in storms. Not one mentions bushfires.
It would cost up to $50 billion to put all of Australia's existing overhead power lines underground.
It is a considerable investment, similar to the current total investment in the nation's power generation and transmission systems, but if this cost can be faced, the benefits, even in dollars and cents, are considerable.
One of the major bushfire hazards would be off the table.
