NATIONAL PARKS, BUSHFIRES
19 November 2002

 
Mrs PENFOLD (Flinders): Will the Minister for Emergency Services advise what measures are in place to contain fires in national parks and conservation parks, should they occur, and whether the width of fire breaks around the parks is being maintained? Eyre Peninsula has more national parks and conservation reserves than any other comparable area of the state. The danger of fire getting into these places and escaping from them is concerning emergency services personnel as well as the residents in my electorate. The recent devastating fires in New South Wales are testimony to the trauma that fires can have on these communities.

The Hon. P.F. CONLON (Minister for Emergency Services): It is my pleasure to answer this question. The threat of bushfires, particularly in national parks, is some­thing that I have raised in this chamber a number of times in recent weeks and months. The provision of an additional $600 000 funding for the Country Fire Service for the bushfire season is one of the very important initiatives this government has taken very recently and  announced by the Premier two weeks ago, and is something which I am sure has been applauded. The honourable member would know that I have supported throughout my time as Minister for Emergency Services—despite much political pressure, often in response to the member for Stuart—the need to burn off in national parks. That is something on which I have main­tained a line throughout.

     The National Parks and Wildlife Service is, of course, responsible for fire management on land under its control. I will undertake to get from my ministerial colleague any detail that is necessary from that agency. I can assure the honour­able member that we take very seriously these risks and have identified that the major risks this year are indeed in national parks. It is unfortunately true that we have a very high fire risk season, but I think that the government has acted responsibly in terms of additional funding for the Country Fire Service.

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E-mail address:  flinders.portlincoln@parliament.sa.gov.au