Ready for action on bush fires and bad weather

Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson and Minister for Emergency Services Neil Roberts today called on Queenslanders to plan for bushfire season and bad weather in the months ahead.

Minister Wilson and Minister Roberts said good governments plan for the future.

“Long before this week’s hot spell, Energex was well underway with a $450 million plus, six month plan to prepare south east Queenslanders for the summer storm season,” Mr Wilson said.

“A year ago today, Energex crews worked around the clock restoring power to homes and businesses hit by a series of severe thunderstorms.

“More than 10,000 lightning strikes were recorded and it brought home to me that it’s not a matter of if summer storms strike, but when,” he said.

The Minister said Energex and Ergon Energy had been hard at work, preparing for the coming storm season since the end of last summer.

“A record number of field staff and more response vehicles than ever before are ready to respond to whatever nature throws at the electricity network,” he said.

“Energex has just completed a five month aerial inspection of south east Queensland’s electricity network which has given field crews a bird’s eye view of the network to identify vegetation around powerlines and the state of power poles.

“A record number of Energex workers are now on roster, ready to be called out at a moment’s notice and that’s no mean feat when you take into account a network that includes more than 35,000 kilometres of power lines.

“Energex is ready for action and I urge residents to take precautions too.

“Secure loose items around the yard, trim overhead tree branches that are away from powerlines and keep a torch and battery-operated radio handy,” he said.

Residents concerned about branches near power lines should contact 131253 and to report a power outage, 136262.

“They’re simple steps but ones that could prove life-saving when severe storms strike,” Mr Wilson said.

Minister for Emergency Services Neil Roberts urged Queenslanders to get ready for this year's bushfire season, warning 2008 has the potential to be the worst for 15 years.

The last few days have seen fires rip through areas on the Sunshine Coast with around 2250 hectares burnt out around Castaways Beach, Sunrise Beach and Lake Weyba in the Noosa National Park.

A fire potential map produced in September by the Bushfire Co-operative Research Centre shows almost half of Queensland’s land mass as having an above normal fire potential.

Minister Roberts said increased vegetation from floods earlier this year means there is the potential for bigger and more intense blazes across a wider area of the state.

“The Bligh Government has been supporting our firefighters in preparing for the bushfire season," Mr Roberts said.

“As part of these preparations, 928 additional drums of “A” class foam have been distributed to 24 strategic rural fire brigade locations around the state.

“Three water-bombing helicopters are now based in southeast Queensland for our exclusive use during the bushfire season.

“An additional 1,550 sets of personal protective equipment and 17,000 improved P2 respirators masks have been distributed to volunteers.

“Thousands of hazard reduction burns have taken place around Queensland to reduce fuel loads and Bushfire Prepared Community meetings and workshops are being held in at-risk communities to help prepare them for any bushfire threat.

QFRS advises residents to prepare now, by:

Reducing fuel loads by removing, cutting or mowing bushes, grass and weeds around sheds, fences and gates;

Clear overhanging branches from the roof;

Clean gutters and buy gutter plugs

If you have a water system, pump or generator, check they are working;

Establish a clear buffer zone of least 40 meters around your house and other buildings Keep hoses at the ready; and

Buy a battery-powered radio to listen to bushfire updates

More information on how to protect your home and family can be obtained by calling your local fire station or visiting www.fire.qld.gov.au or the QFRS Rural Fire Service website at www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au

Media Inquiries: Minister Wilson’s Office 3225 1819