LAKE Macquarie and Central Coast councils have taken part in a forum to develop new approaches to longer, more intense bushfire seasons fuelled by climate change.
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The two local councils were among 65 local and state government representatives, academics and community groups who met in Katoomba for the forum hosted by the Climate Council’s Cities Power Partnership.
Also among the participants was Huon Valley Council, in Tasmania, which recently experienced devastating fires.
Mayor Bec Enders, of Huon Valley Council, said there were lessons to be learned from the fires.
“Australian communities need to understand that we’re living in a new era now, with intense bushfire seasons that start earlier and continue longer, as a result of climate change,” Cr Enders told the forum.
We’re living in a new era now, with intense bushfire seasons that start earlier and continue longer.
- - Cr Bec Enders
“It is important that councils across Tasmania and Australia work together to help people to understand, plan for, and respond to the increased bushfire threat that we all now face."
The Cities Power Partnership, which describes itself as Australia’s largest local government climate alliance, has called on local councils to adopt recommendations to support communities to understand and prepare for longer, more dangerous bushfire seasons.
Measures include.-
- educating communities on the increased bushfire risk so they can make informed decisions about purchasing, building and renovating their homes in fire danger zones;
- rigorously enforcing local laws on maintaining fire-breaks, low vegetation and property clearing; and
- using bushfire risk maps to inform planning permission decisions.