Council makes bushfire Inquiry submission

Blue Mountains City Council endorsed its submission to the NSW Independent Bushfire Inquiry at the Council meeting held on Tuesday, 28 April.

The Inquiry seeks to investigate the causes of the 2019/2020 bushfire disaster and to examine the effectiveness of existing fire management in protecting lives, property and those who may come under threat in a bushfire event. It will also consider other contributing factors, such as how agencies at all levels of Government are planning for, preparing and implementing measures to minimise fire risk. 

The Inquiry has sought submissions from the public, emergency workers and organisations, especially in fire-effected areas. 

Council’s extensive submission notes the losses in the Blue Mountains during the bushfires, as well as the massive effect on the natural environment. The submission sets out the complexities of managing bushfire risk in an extreme risk landscape, and seeks to provide comment regarding prevention, preparedness, response and recovery within State-based policies and practice.

“We cannot overemphasis the importance of this Inquiry,” Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill said. “We have seen a massive increase in fire activity in the Blue Mountains in the last 10 years – we need to raise our voices and be part of this conversation.

“One of the most important things that we should see from this is a truly coordinated response at all levels of Government. We need robust actions taken on a State level that provide preventative measures and support to our community.” 

The NSW Independent Bushfire Inquiry is holding a virtual community meeting for the Blue Mountains on Tuesday 12 May, at 5pm.  Register for the Blue Mountains community meeting. 

Should you wish to provide a submission to the enquiry, you may submit online until Friday 22 May. Make a submissions to the inquiry.