Australia unites in aftermath of bushfires

The savage bushfires that have swept through the Upper Yarra Valley, parts of Gippsland, the north-east and elsewhere in Victoria have brought death and destruction across their path. More than two hundred people are dead and nearly two thousand houses have been destroyed.

Over 7,000 people are homeless. Animal stock losses have been extensive. Wildlife too was lost. The social and natural environments have taken a big hit.

Ten years of drought in southern Australia, record high summer temperatures, fierce winds and other factors made up a deadly cocktail. Fallen powerlines, fire “spotting” from one blaze to another and some possible episodes of arson mixed in to form a yet more powerful explosive.

Bushfire has been part of life on the Australian continent, since the early formation of aboriginal society. There is evidence that the indigenous people used fire to clear undergrowth and other hazards, before the blistering summer took hold.

All states and territories have been hit by bushfires over past decades. Even tropical scrublands in the Northern Territory have experienced serious bushfires. Canberra, Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide and Sydney have all had bushfires on their doorstep in this period.

The Victorian government, led by Premier John Brumby, has established a Royal Commission to examine various issues arising from what have become known as the Black Saturday Fires, which commenced on Feb 7, 2009 and burned into the following week.

One of the controversial matters that will be prominent is the “stay and defend your home or evacuate early” policy that has been predominant in Victorian bushfire management over the past twenty years.

'May as well have been at Hiroshima'

Some blame it for being the cause of so many deaths, while others remind us that earlier general evacuation policies often ended in chaos and tragedy, as people withdrew into the curled tail of the ferocious fire.

Others say it is simply ridiculous to think you have any hope of “staying and defending” against such a mighty firestorm. One victim of earlier fires said: “You may as well have been at Hiroshima in August 1945, as think you could 'stay and defend your home' on Black Saturday 2009.”

Another issue that is likely to be on the Royal Commission's agenda is the adequacy of the fire-fighting management and training in the crisis.

Could the weather men and women seen more clearly ahead than they managed? Was the equipment and personnel-training up to what is required? Were communication systems adequate?

Should much of rural bushfire-fighting remain based on local volunteer brigades or should more be spent on developing professional country fire-fighting forces, and if so, who would fund it?

Or is it even more vital to strengthen the volunteer component of the fire fighters? Usually, they are local to the area. They know the weather habits and the local roads and tracks. Often they are well-connected to one or more of the local communities in the fire zone.

The Royal Commission will also consider issues concerned with re-building burned towns, communities and bushland homes. There will be arguments made that planning controls should be tightened in country towns and surrounding forests and farmlands. Some will say that many of the houses, destroyed by the fire, should never have been allowed to be built amidst forest and ferns.

Many challenges in the months ahead

There will also be calls for compulsory use of fire-resistant building materials and an emphasis on employing new technologies in building. New planning and building approaches are needed no doubt, but an eye must also be kept on cost and needless bureaucracy.

Some long-standing residents of Marysville, Kinglake or Strathewen, for example, may find themselves forced away from the area, simply because the price of constructing from scratch is simply too high.

The work of the Royal Commission is expected to be completed in about a year. It is hoped that the recommendations will provide a comprehensive and practical strategy for reducing the impact of bushfires on life and property.

For the victims and survivors of the current bushfires, though, let's be realistic.

They will have to cope with many difficulties and challenges in the months and years ahead, before most can get back on a stable footing.

It is important that government and community assistance to them all continues long-term, when the 2009 fires are no longer the media's lead story.

The factor that provides hope amidst the Black Saturday fires tragedy in Victoria is the spirit of support and co-operation that has come out amongst the whole community.

People express concern to each other on the street corner, in public transport, workplaces, places of recreation, and all over the cities, towns and countryside throughout the country.

Collection of relief supplies has been extensive and the Bushfire Appeal has raised over A$120 million. Assistance of all kinds has come from the other Australian states and territories, and from countries all over the world.

Many moving stories came out of the tragedy, reflecting the best of human nature. There is a remarkable spirit and energy at work that provides great support to the bushfire victims and others involved in the disaster.

Reconciliation with the indigenous people

It is the type of community spirit that could be effective too in breaking through on long-term social issues, such as achieving a full reconciliation with the indigenous people, based on the return of land and mining rights.

This must be backed by expanded programmes for indigenous people in education, health, employment and other fields. This strengthened community spirit, arising from the bushfire crisis, may assist in resolving other national issues such as homelessness and poverty.

The executive committee of the Chinese Professional and Business Association (CPBA) sends its condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives.

It also expresses its support to those who have been injured in the Black Saturday Fires, and to those who have lost their homes, businesses, crops, animal stock and many other things of special value.

It fully acknowledges the contributions of the fire and emergency services, including those from other Australian states, and from overseas during these dark days.

CPBA has established an online appeal directed at its members and friends by linking to the Australian Red Cross website (http://everydayhero.com.au/cpba). CPBA has joined with over fifty other Chinese community groups to raise funds for the bushfire victims.

A big Chinese Cultural Performance is being organised at the Melbourne Town Hall on Sunday February 22 at 2pm, for the Victorian Bushfire Appeal. The Chinese community is also organising a range of other activities, such as fund-raising dinners and a family carnival day.

The CPBA feels strongly that it is important to encourage the Chinese community in Australia to assist those who are facing tremendous difficulties rebuilding their homes and lives, in the aftermath of the Black Saturday fires of 2009.

RICHARD WONG is an executive member of the Chinese Professional and Business Association and a council member of the Federation of Chinese Associations in Victoria, Australia.