Published Friday, 13 February, 2009 at 04:11 PM
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation
The Honourable Andrew McNamara
Fire management review for Queensland’s National Parks
The Bligh government has announced a review of fire management practises in Queensland’s national parks and protected areas.
Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation Minister, Andrew McNamara requested the review on Tuesday (10 February n2009) following the devastating Victorian bushfires.
“The state government is investing nearly $5.5 million this financial year to improve fire management in parks and forests,” Mr McNamara said.
“Planned maintenance is regularly carried out in our parks, but recent events have highlighted the importance of this work.
“On Tuesday, I spoke to the Director-General to ensure the EPA is maintaining best practice in fire management and to review their fire management operations to date.”
The Minister requested that the EPA monitor submissions to the coronial inquiries and the Royal Commission instituted in Victoria.
“Our first priority is public safety, so it’s extremely important that we learn everything we can from this tragedy,” he said.
“I have asked the EPA to report back to me with recommendations at the conclusion of the Victorian fire inquires.
“In the meantime, we will continue to work hard on fire maintenance on our estate,” he said.
In the past three years, the EPA has carried out almost 800 planned burns over an area of approximately 1.3 million hectares of its land.
“Many of the EPA’s burns are scheduled during winter months to address protection issues at parks and forests located close to urban communities,” Mr McNamara said.
“The EPA has a Good Neighbour Policy and consults with adjoining land owners, local communities and traditional land owners before carrying out planned burning and fireline maintenance."
Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation Minister, Andrew McNamara requested the review on Tuesday (10 February n2009) following the devastating Victorian bushfires.
“The state government is investing nearly $5.5 million this financial year to improve fire management in parks and forests,” Mr McNamara said.
“Planned maintenance is regularly carried out in our parks, but recent events have highlighted the importance of this work.
“On Tuesday, I spoke to the Director-General to ensure the EPA is maintaining best practice in fire management and to review their fire management operations to date.”
The Minister requested that the EPA monitor submissions to the coronial inquiries and the Royal Commission instituted in Victoria.
“Our first priority is public safety, so it’s extremely important that we learn everything we can from this tragedy,” he said.
“I have asked the EPA to report back to me with recommendations at the conclusion of the Victorian fire inquires.
“In the meantime, we will continue to work hard on fire maintenance on our estate,” he said.
In the past three years, the EPA has carried out almost 800 planned burns over an area of approximately 1.3 million hectares of its land.
“Many of the EPA’s burns are scheduled during winter months to address protection issues at parks and forests located close to urban communities,” Mr McNamara said.
“The EPA has a Good Neighbour Policy and consults with adjoining land owners, local communities and traditional land owners before carrying out planned burning and fireline maintenance."