Increased bushfire risk put to panel discussion

Published on 28 October 2019

Risks associated with what is expected to be a long and dangerous bushfire season will be discussed tomorrow at a public forum featuring a world-leading risk expert.

Dr Alexandra Syphard is an ecologist and chief scientist at Sage Insurance Holdings in the USA. Her lecture, titled Bushfire and Hobart’s Insurance Risk, will address the often overlooked repercussions of an active bushfire season.

“While preservation of life must always be the priority, some consideration should also be given to preservation of livelihood,” said Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds, who will open the forum.

“While we are doing everything that we can to reduce the risk of bushfire threat to residents, we can’t guarantee the city will get through the season unscathed.

“If we do face the reality of property loss, then under-insurance becomes a real issue.

“New building standards mean that any new house built in a bushfire-prone area must be planned, designed and built to survive a bushfire with a severe Fire Danger Rating.

“It’s important to understand what your insurance will cover.”

City of Hobart’s Bushland Manager John Fisher will join a panel discussion also featuring experts from the Tasmanian Fire Service and (University of Tasmania (UTAS).

“The fire season never really left Hobart this year,” he said. “Moisture levels in the forests surrounding Hobart have not reset to normal levels, which has resulted in conditions similar to those faced before Tasmania’s devastating 1967 bushfires.

“It was dry throughout winter; we had a bit of rain in August and September that is allowing us to carry out hazard reduction burns. But conditions have been barely suitable for the sort of low-intensity fuel reduction burns we carry out in Hobart’s forests, woodlands and grasslands.”

Hobart residents are warned to brace for another dangerous bushfire season by preparing their homes and their families now.

“We are urging residents in or near bushland areas to make sure they have a bushfire plan in place and to remove any fire-prone vegetation from their property,” Cr Reynolds said. 

“We’ve recently launched a campaign to remind residents of their responsibilities during bushfire season. Protecting homes from the threat of bushfire needs a joint effort.”

Under severe bushfire conditions fires will be uncontrollable and move quickly. Flames may be higher than rooftops and spot fires can jump up to four kilometres ahead of a firefront.

Tomorrow’s bushfire risk forum will be held at the Stanley Burbury Theatre in UTAS at 6 pm. Members of the public are welcome to attend and admission is free. Register at eventbrite.com.au to reserve a seat.

For more information on preparing for bushfire season, visit hobartcity.com.au/bushfire.