Bushfire report finds system ‘failing citizens’

In a report tabled by Premier Colin Barnett in Parliament on Thursday morning, special inquirer Euan Ferguson recommended the creation of a rural fire service responsible for the management of bushfires outside the metropolitan area.

“Perhaps the most compelling support for fundamental change is the dramatic increase in the number and impact of damaging and costly bushfires over the last six years in Western Australia,” Mr Ferguson said.

“If such change does not occur, then the prospect of a future catastrophic bushfire event is increasingly likely.”

Mr Ferguson was careful to recognise a number of improvements made to bushfire management in Western Australia over the last few years, and did not apportion blame in his report.

“This was a very complex fire – indeed probably the most complex fire I have seen in my 39 years of rural firefighting,” he said.

“It is my view that the Incident Management Team members, firefighters and support staff always acted in good faith, and to the best of their ability.

“These are good, experienced and capable people who did their best in extraordinary conditions.”

Mr Ferguson also recommended spending more on fire prevention and fuel hazard management.

Premier Colin Barnett said the recommendations in the report were bold.

“Mr Ferguson concludes that there is a need for fundamental change to our system of rural fire management,” he told Parliament.

“He makes 17 recommendations for strategic change and 23 agency opportunities for improvement.

“The government is committed to learn lessons from this tragedy and effect enduring improvements.”

Mr Barnett said the report of the inquiry would be released for public comment and the government would announce its response in September.

Mr Barnett and Mr Ferguson were due to attend a meeting of affected communities in Harvey on Thursday morning.