INQ163

The prescribed penalty notice penalty amount for section 100(2) of the Rural Fires Act 1997 be increased to $1,100.

The prescribed penalty notice penalty amount for section 99(6) of the Rural Fires Act 1997 be increased to $1,100.

The prescribed penalty notice penalty amount for section 66(7) of the Rural Fires Act 1997 be increased to $1,100.

That the Attorney General’s Department’s Crime Prevention Division consider the causes of, and any solution to, the high number of juveniles involved in causing bushfires.

That appropriate officers of the Rural Fire Service be granted the same powers as granted to officers of NSW Fire Brigades under section 19 of the Fire Brigades Act 1989.

That the Rural Fires Act 1997 be amended to provide to designated Fire Investigation Officers of the Rural Fire Service the power to enter any land upon which a bushfire has occurred for the purposes of investigation for a period of up to 24 hours after a fire has been declared out.

That legislation be prepared by the Criminal Law Review Division of the Attorney General’s Department allowing designated officers of the Rural Fire Service to apply for a warrant in certain circumstances.

A working group be established to consider methods of preventing criminal firestarting.