INQ350

The Committee recommends that PCS adopt a policy and practice that all planned prescribed burning activities be carried out to the greatest extent possible, unless there are compelling reasons relating to inappropriate weather conditions, firefighter safety or lack of resources to not carry out a

The Committee recommends that the Multi-Hazard Advisory Council resume the Bushfire Council’s practice of providing annual reports to the Minister on bushfire preparedness ahead of every fire season.

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government include detailed data on progress against the EPSDD BOP for that financial year in either the EPSDD or JACS Annual Reports that breaks down the data by:

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government work with the community on bushfire preparedness and response, with a particular focus on new Canberrans and those who may not be familiar with bushfire risk and response in the local environment.

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government ensure community fire units have been established in new suburbs in the Molonglo Valley and North Gungahlin zoned as bushfire prone areas and if not what if any plans there are to establish community fire units in these areas.

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government work with volunteer firefighters to ensure there is a shared understanding of roles and responsibilities in relation to fire management and response.

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government consider bushfire risk and response, and resourcing when considering the development of areas along the western edge.

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government focus on building morale in fire field crews through greater public recognition of their work.

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government increase investment to improve morale in the fire unit, ensuring improved communication and collegiality and accountability between management and ground crew staff.

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government develop a Natural Disaster Strategy that covers all aspects of health to ensure continuity of access to healthcare in the event of a natural disaster.

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government ensure tracks and trails are maintained, including increasing the annual funding level for maintenance of management trails from the current level of around 1% of the value of the asset, up to 2% or more, to address the increased impact of climate

The Committee recommends that PCS consider reviewing and streamlining the sign-off process for road maintenance contractor works and recruiting or training additional road maintenance contract managers with the appropriate skills and qualifications to assist in the delivery of the road maintenanc

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government ensure PCS remains an attractive place to work for those in the fire management space through provision of opportunities for career development, with clear pathways to management, and improved training and pay conditions.

The Committee recommends that PCS continue to utilise alternative fuel load management methods and techniques when it is not safe to conduct prescribed burning, and that they be appropriately resourced and supported by the ACT Government to enable this to occur.

The Committee recommends that as part of the current review of the SBMP and development of the SBMPv5, EPSDD and the ESA review the criteria used for assessing appropriate conditions for prescribed burning.

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government more clearly explain to the ACT community the residual risk methodology and fuel load management strategy.

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government continue to support and increase culturally-informed land management practices and cultural burns.

The Committee recommends that PCS receive adequate funding for the 2023-24 EPSDD BOP to ensure all access maintenance activities listed as Priority 1, and that these activities are completed.

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government reinstate in full the Tritter program for clearing roadside vegetation.

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government review senior management positions and reassess against industry standards, while reflecting on levels of experience and risk that the positions are responsible for.

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government ensure that senior PCS management (Director, planning officer, operations officer, prescribed burn officer) of the PCS Fire Management Unit have on-the-ground fire-fighting experience or training.

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government ensure merit-based recruitment for Fire Unit staff, and conduct recruitment with a focus on fire qualifications or experience for management to ground crew positions.

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government conduct technology capability planning as part of the development of the Strategic Bushfire Management Plan version 5.