Bushfire preparedness top of mind as spring blazes burn

Kat Wong and Poppy Johnston | September 25, 2023

The worst fire season since the Black Summer blazes is already under way but the federal government is determined not to let history repeat itself.

The first National Bushfire Preparedness Summit will take place at Parliament House on Monday to unite disaster management agencies and ensure a cohesive response to the bushfire season. 

During the two-day event, 250 representatives from federal, state and territory governments will convene in Canberra alongside specialists from emergency services, industry and not-for-profit organisations.

A simulated bushfire exercise is among the activities at the summit and will focus on preparedness, response and relief.

It will also examine approaches for vulnerable people including those living with disabilities and Indigenous communities.

Tall grasslands created by three years of La Nina rains have begun to dry out, leaving the perfect fuel for fast-moving fires, and an early spring heatwave has already sparked the first flames of the new season.

Preparations for the 2023-24 season are already well-advanced with governments having implemented significant changes.

The 2019-20 Black Summer bushfire season killed at least 34 people and destroyed more than 2000 homes, cloaking east coast skies in a blanket of ash for weeks and burning through an estimated 24.3 million hectares.

Since then, a new and simplified fire danger rating system has been introduced to help Australians better understand fire risk and ongoing funding for the national aerial firefighting fleet has doubled to $30 million.

The federal government, states and territories have invested $94 million for bushfire mitigation and preparedness in 2023.

Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt said he was confident in Australia’s preparations for a higher-risk bushfire season.

“I’m confident that as a country we’re well-prepared for the conditions forecast, but we aren’t complacent, and want to make sure we’re doing everything within our power to get ready,” he said. 

Senator Watt also said there would be more co-operation between federal, state and territory governments during the upcoming fire season.

“Since our election 16 months ago, the Albanese Government has worked hard to ensure Australia is better connected, better coordinated and better prepared for the disasters we know are coming,” he said.