18th January 2004
Today, Canberra is revisited to commemorate those who suffered the ugly bushfires which burned throughout the ACT in 2003. It is an exact year since the most vicious day of the fires. These fires were believed to have been the worst fires in the ACT and New South Wales in 50 years. These bushfires have been followed by initiatives in place by the government and community to ensure this level of destruction does not occur again. An official response undertaken by the ACT government was The McLeod Inquiry, used to analyse the events and operational reaction towards the bushfires. The inquiry showed that an initial delay in fighting the fires led to the unrestrainable fires on the 18th of January. It is believed that if fought more aggressively within its first stages, the fires may have been preventable and this national disaster would not have occurred. More resources should have been used in attempt to reduce the fire. There was little management over accessibility to remote areas and fuel sources in natural hazard areas (e.g. parks). There was a lack of resources within the emergency organisations and a lack of communication between community and reinforcement. Emergency services performed at a consistent high, only deterred because of the difficult weather behaviour and the unexpected intensity of the fires.
From these results, the government has been able to
improve and customize emergency services as well as use more effective strategies
when addressing future disasters of similar nature. The Federal government has
since issued an increase in equipment and resources used by rural fire-fighting
services and emergency centres as well as placed an increased emphasis towards
ongoing controlled hazard reduction burn-offs to minimise fuel sources for
future fires. Numerous examples of inter-community
bridging, particularly in disadvantaged areas has occurred. Community
members have been getting together to deal with emotional and mental trauma from the fires as well as share stories and resources. Fundraisers and events have been organised by various services to help with the rebuilding of Canberra and its community. The government has given a
small fund of $5000 to each family, regardless of insurance status, to help cover
rebuilding costs. The efforts of the ACT rural fire brigade and the many
volunteer and charity services are greatly appreciated by the Canberra
community. A bushfire memorial has been scheduled to open in 2006, to
acknowledge the effects of the fires, commemorate those who suffered and thank
the many organisations and individuals who contributed to fighting the fire and
recovery scheme. Although there is still a long way to go along the road to
recovery, the government, communal services and the community are uniting to
help lift the weight placed on the shoulders of many.
-Olivia Brown, ABC Reporter
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| A man overlooks his sparse property a year after it was demolished by the fires. |
-Olivia Brown, ABC Reporter
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| Residents and bushfire victims attend a service commemorating the 2003 bushfires at their local community centre. |
