Letters to the CFS by Dr Bittar, Gabriel, and Councillor Walkom, Graham,
in relation to the absence of a firebreak to the north and north-east of the very high bushfire-risk town of American River.
Greg Nettleton
Officer in charge, CFS
po box 2468
Adelaide 5001
American River, 2011.05.12
Dear Mr Nettleton,
On the 28th of February 2011, one of us (GB) wrote to Mr Chris Martin, Chairman of the Kangaroo Island Bushfire Management Committee (KIBMC), a request for a clarification of the decision of the Committee not to create / implement a fire-track / fire-break to the north / northeast boundary of the town of American River.
In particular, we asked to see the technical and scientific details on which the committee had determined its assessment.
We also asked to be informed of what exactly made our town so different that paragraph 2.2, part “Environment and Culture”, ch. D “Principle and Policies”, of the “Kangaroo Island Plan” (Jan. 2011), produced by the South Australian government, would not apply to it:
“Decrease the risk of loss of life and property from extreme bushfires through the creation of buffers around new growth areas that are adjacent to native bushland.”
Ten weeks later, we have not received an answer. Considering that the seriousness of the matter of fire preparedness and prevention cannot be overstated, and that the next fire season is now less than 6 months away, could you please advise the KIBMC to provide us with the rationale for their decision, and answer our legitimate concerns ?
Looking forward to an answer,
Regards,
Dr Gabriel Bittar
American River resident
Falie Court area fire prevention group spokesperson
Graham Walkom
Kangaroo Island Councillor
American River resident
Attached:
copy of letter from Dr Bittar to the Kangaroo Island Bushfire Management Committee, dated 2011.01.26
copy of letter from Chris Martin to Dr Bittar, dated 2011.02.11
copy of letter from Dr Bittar to Chris Martin, dated 2011.02.28
Copy: Mr Dean Brooksby, Council Fire Officer, Kangaroo Island Council
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Mr Chris Martin
Chairman
Kangaroo Island Bushfire Management Committee
c/o Mr Dean Brooksby, Council Fire Officer
Dauncey Street, Kingscote, SA 5223
American River, 2011.02.28
Dear Mr Martin,
Thank you for your answer dated 11.2.2011 to my letter of concern, dated 26.1.2011, regarding the absence of a fire-break to the north / north-east of the town of American River.
Myself, and most residents of the town, are still perplexed that it could be considered that such a fire-break is not needed. At both public meetings with residents, in August and December 2009, it was indicated that the key reason for which our town is considered as belonging to a Very High bushfire risk area, and cannot be classed as a safe precinct, is the very high fuel load directly adjacent the town’s north/northeast boundary. Considering that, and the fact that it was considered that a fire-track / fire-break was nevertheless needed on its less threatening western boundary, it is all particularly confounding to residents, and a clarification on your part would be appreciated.
In particular, we would like to see the technical and scientific details on which the committee is determining its assessment.
We also would like to know what exactly makes our town so different that paragraph 2.2, part “Environment and Culture”, ch. D “Principle and Policies”, of the “Kangaroo Island Plan” (Jan. 2011), produced by the South Australian government, would not apply to it:
“Decrease the risk of loss of life and property from extreme bushfires through the creation of buffers around new growth areas that are adjacent to native bushland.”
On the basis of these clarifications, our community would be able to progress on this vital matter.
Regards,
Dr Gabriel Bittar
American River resident
Falie Court area fire prevention group spokesperson
Copy: Mr Dean Brooksby, Council Fire Officer, Kangaroo Island Council
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Response by Ray Jackson, CFS, Acting Regional Commander, 02.06.2011:
In a nutshell, it can be paraphrased thusway: the town of American River does not need such a fire-break because we have decided so.
As per our request for what are the scientific reasons justifying such a refusal, Jacskon’s answer can be summarised as such: we decided that it was so because we studied the matter and concluded so.