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| Australia fires live: South Australia, NSW and Victoria brace for return of bushfires danger – latest updates | Australia fires live: South Australia, NSW and Victoria brace for return of bushfires danger – latest updates |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Temperatures and winds set to rise as weather conditions worsen, bringing severe bushfire risk. Follow the latest news and live updates | Temperatures and winds set to rise as weather conditions worsen, bringing severe bushfire risk. Follow the latest news and live updates |
| [cont from previous post] | |
| Alpine Shire mayor Peter Roper, who runs his family cattle farm at Tawonga, near Mount Beauty, says he will stay and defend his property because “my livestock are my friends and I want to make sure they are ok.” | |
| But he said that everyone advised to leave should do so, and families should take care not to pressure those who wish to leave into staying. | |
| “If we do come under ember attack, the sky goes black, you can’t hear very well, you can’t see very well, you are under ember attack so there are fires all around you.. It’s truly frightening,” he says. “It looks like a sci-fi movie gone wrong. The damn thing creates its own energy and before you know it you have lost it. It’s just amazing how quickly things can escalate and go from being something that looks relatively placit to something that is really difficult to describe, apart from being frightening and destructive. | |
| The Alpine Shire has experienced a lot of severe bushfires — the 2002/2003 bushfires, 2006/2007 bushfires, and 2009 Mudgegonga fire that started on Black Saturday all burned through there. In each case, the fire burned deep into the national park and could not be put out until the autumn rains, which usually caused a flood. | |
| Roper said locals were in for a stressful few months. | |
| “You go to bed at night worrying where the damn thing is,” he says. | |
| I’ve been talking to Peter Roper, the mayor of the Alpine Shire in Victoria. It includes Bright, Myrtleford, and the Ovens Valley. | |
| Roper says his community is preparing to defend against the Abbeyard fire, a 60,000ha blaze that is burning in the Alpine National Park and state forests between Mt Hotham and Mt Bulla. But he is worried that people who heeded warnings to evacuate last weekend will be less likely to follow those warnings again, even though calls to leave the area have been made on the basis of good information. | |
| “People don’t like to be displaced,” he says. “I fear if they have left once and they have come back, it will be harder to move them [a second time].” | |
| Spot fires from that fire have prompted emergency warnings throughout the day for the localities of Carboor, Whorouly South, Cheshunt, Edi, Edi Upper, the King Valley and surrounds. They are in an area south of Myrtleford where state forest becomes private farming land. | |
| About 92% of the Alpine Shire is national park or state forests, and there are also plenty of pine plantations around Myrtleford and Bright. | |
| The worst case scenario from the severe fire weather tomorrow is that a strong southwesterly wind will turn the long flank of the Abbeyard fire into a new fire front, and drive it northeast toward the townships of Porepunkah and Bright. They’re about 20km as the crow flies through national park to Abbeyard. | |
| Roper says it is possible those towns could come under threat tomorrow, but his immediate concern was focused on Carboor and Whorouly South. Residents in those areas have been advised to leave, and tourists have been advised to stay away from Bright and the Alpine National Park as part of the extended state of disaster declaration. | |
| On the issue of funding, the Australian Council of Social Service has called on the government to increase the disaster recovery payments people affected by the fires can claim through Centrelink. | |
| Acoss says the payments – currently $1,000 person plus $400 per child – should be boosted to $3,000, with an additional $1,000 per child. | |
| The peak lobby group notes that the rate of these payments has not risen since 2006. It would also like an $30m allocated to food relief community sector organisations to cover the increased demand over the coming months. | |
| “It’s vital that the government plays its role providing adequate support to the thousands of people so badly affected,” the Acoss chief executive, Cassandra Goldie, said. | |
| Victoria police have just clarified their previous clarification on ‘arson’ numbers: | |
| We’d also like to clarify some figures that have been quoted by various media outlets. This includes: | |
| 183 people have had legal action taken against them this bushfire season in regards to fire-related offences – this relates to NSW, not Victoria. | |
| 43 offences were recorded in 2019 for causing bushfires. Of these, 21 offences resulted in an arrest/summons (charge). This relates to offences in Victoria in the 12 month period ending September 2019. | |
| 12 people were arrested/summonsed (charged) in 2019 for causing bushfires. This relates to offences in Victoria in the 12 month period ending September 2019. | |
| This emergency warning is being issued for Carboor, Carboor East, Carboor Upper, Cheshunt, Cheshunt South, Claremont, Dandongadale, Edi, Edi Upper, Hyem, Jarrott, King Valley, Markous, Myrrhee, Pieper, Rose River, Whitfield, Whitlands, Whorouly South. | This emergency warning is being issued for Carboor, Carboor East, Carboor Upper, Cheshunt, Cheshunt South, Claremont, Dandongadale, Edi, Edi Upper, Hyem, Jarrott, King Valley, Markous, Myrrhee, Pieper, Rose River, Whitfield, Whitlands, Whorouly South. |
| There is a bushfire at 8km east-south-east of Abbeyard that is out of control. | There is a bushfire at 8km east-south-east of Abbeyard that is out of control. |
| The bushfire has crossed the Mount Emu track and is moving in a north-westerly direction. | The bushfire has crossed the Mount Emu track and is moving in a north-westerly direction. |
| Leaving now is the safest option, before conditions become too dangerous. Emergency services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay. | Leaving now is the safest option, before conditions become too dangerous. Emergency services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay. |
| What you should do: | What you should do: |
| Leave from Carboor using the Carboor-Everton Road through Bobinawarrah. | Leave from Carboor using the Carboor-Everton Road through Bobinawarrah. |
| Whorouly residents should leave via the Snow Road to Wangaratta. | Whorouly residents should leave via the Snow Road to Wangaratta. |
| King Valley residents should leave via the Wangaratta-Whitfield Road. | King Valley residents should leave via the Wangaratta-Whitfield Road. |
| Travel to the home of family or friends that is away from the warning area. | Travel to the home of family or friends that is away from the warning area. |
| When you leave remember to take your pets, mobile phone and medications. | When you leave remember to take your pets, mobile phone and medications. |
| Scott Morrison finishes his press conference, with this: | Scott Morrison finishes his press conference, with this: |
| The head of the national bushfire response agency, Andrew Colvin, echoed those sentiments: | The head of the national bushfire response agency, Andrew Colvin, echoed those sentiments: |
| On the fundraising efforts – which have raised millions and millions of dollars – Scott Morrison says there is a need for fundraisers to work with governments to best direct the funds: | On the fundraising efforts – which have raised millions and millions of dollars – Scott Morrison says there is a need for fundraisers to work with governments to best direct the funds: |
| Scott Morrison says the government has made some decisions on mental health funding (Labor has been calling for the Medicare 10-visit plan to be made unlimited as the fire crisis continues) but he is not ready to make announcements on that as yet. | Scott Morrison says the government has made some decisions on mental health funding (Labor has been calling for the Medicare 10-visit plan to be made unlimited as the fire crisis continues) but he is not ready to make announcements on that as yet. |
| It will be made “in the coming days”. | It will be made “in the coming days”. |
| Councils will not have to tell the government what they plan on spending the money on – like they did in the north Queensland flood response – and instead can spend the funds on whatever immediate needs they see fit. | Councils will not have to tell the government what they plan on spending the money on – like they did in the north Queensland flood response – and instead can spend the funds on whatever immediate needs they see fit. |
| Scott Morrison has taken a moment to thank some of the international allies who have stepped up to help Australia during the bushfire emergency – and singled out our Pacific neighbours for their immediate offers of help: | Scott Morrison has taken a moment to thank some of the international allies who have stepped up to help Australia during the bushfire emergency – and singled out our Pacific neighbours for their immediate offers of help: |
| [continued from previous post] | [continued from previous post] |
| Yesterday Moody’s analysts said the fires increased the chance the Reserve Bank will cut official interest rates, which are already at a historic low of 0.75%, to 0.5%, but Plank said his team was already predicting the move and the blazes did not alter their forecast. | Yesterday Moody’s analysts said the fires increased the chance the Reserve Bank will cut official interest rates, which are already at a historic low of 0.75%, to 0.5%, but Plank said his team was already predicting the move and the blazes did not alter their forecast. |
| Plank’s research found that major natural disasters have not in the past done much damage to Australia’s economy on a national level, even though regional areas have seen their local industries devastated. | Plank’s research found that major natural disasters have not in the past done much damage to Australia’s economy on a national level, even though regional areas have seen their local industries devastated. |
| “Due to the magnitude of the area impacted, the current bushfires will almost certainly have a larger economic impact than previous fires,” he said. | “Due to the magnitude of the area impacted, the current bushfires will almost certainly have a larger economic impact than previous fires,” he said. |
| “The recurrence of catastrophic conditions, the distribution of the smoke haze, the earlier start of the bushfire season and the coincident peak holiday period mean that a historical comparison can only be viewed as the starting point.” | “The recurrence of catastrophic conditions, the distribution of the smoke haze, the earlier start of the bushfire season and the coincident peak holiday period mean that a historical comparison can only be viewed as the starting point.” |
| He said the $2bn pledged by Morrison would not by itself be enough to stop the federal government achieving the cash budget surplus it has pledged to deliver in the 2019-20 fiscal year. | He said the $2bn pledged by Morrison would not by itself be enough to stop the federal government achieving the cash budget surplus it has pledged to deliver in the 2019-20 fiscal year. |
| “But bushfire recovery could provide the Morrison government with the political cover it needs to be more equivocal about the 2019-20 surplus target,” he said. | “But bushfire recovery could provide the Morrison government with the political cover it needs to be more equivocal about the 2019-20 surplus target,” he said. |
| The $5bn surplus the government predicted in the December Mid-Year Economic and Financial Outlook “could easily be eliminated under changed circumstances”, he said. | The $5bn surplus the government predicted in the December Mid-Year Economic and Financial Outlook “could easily be eliminated under changed circumstances”, he said. |
| The bushfire crisis could cut 0.1 to 0.2 percentage points from Australia’s already anaemic economic growth figures, ANZ’s chief economist says. | The bushfire crisis could cut 0.1 to 0.2 percentage points from Australia’s already anaemic economic growth figures, ANZ’s chief economist says. |
| In a new report released today, David Plank and his team said the effect could be felt over the final quarter of 2019 and the first of the new year. | In a new report released today, David Plank and his team said the effect could be felt over the final quarter of 2019 and the first of the new year. |
| Growth in gross domestic product was just 0.4% for the three months to the end of September, the most recent period for which statistics are available. | Growth in gross domestic product was just 0.4% for the three months to the end of September, the most recent period for which statistics are available. |
| Figures for the December quarter, which includes the start of the bushfire season and a Christmas period that appears to have disappointed retailers, are due to be released at the start of March. | Figures for the December quarter, which includes the start of the bushfire season and a Christmas period that appears to have disappointed retailers, are due to be released at the start of March. |
| “This is necessarily a best first guess, and it will be refined as more information comes to hand,” Plank said. | “This is necessarily a best first guess, and it will be refined as more information comes to hand,” Plank said. |
| “This initial impact will be offset (to at least some extent) in later quarters, as rebuilding gets under way.” | “This initial impact will be offset (to at least some extent) in later quarters, as rebuilding gets under way.” |
| He urged the Morrison government to spend more on rebuilding than the $2bn it has so far pledged over two years. | He urged the Morrison government to spend more on rebuilding than the $2bn it has so far pledged over two years. |
| “We think the support for affected communities during and following these tragic events, along with wider economic benefits that could be gained, justifies current and additional fiscal loosening, as required,” he said. | “We think the support for affected communities during and following these tragic events, along with wider economic benefits that could be gained, justifies current and additional fiscal loosening, as required,” he said. |
| David Littleproud: | David Littleproud: |
| Elgas has issued handling warnings for gas bottles for people in the fire zones, ahead of their evacuations, given reports of exploding cylinders in the blazes: | Elgas has issued handling warnings for gas bottles for people in the fire zones, ahead of their evacuations, given reports of exploding cylinders in the blazes: |
| For residences that have 45kg or larger home gas bottles or cylinders, here are five safety tips to undertake before the fire arrives or before evacuating: | For residences that have 45kg or larger home gas bottles or cylinders, here are five safety tips to undertake before the fire arrives or before evacuating: |
| 1. Turn it off (in clockwise direction) at valve on top of the bottle. | 1. Turn it off (in clockwise direction) at valve on top of the bottle. |
| 2. Leave the bottle or cylinder where it has been installed. | 2. Leave the bottle or cylinder where it has been installed. |
| 3. Leave the bottle or cylinder in an upright position. | 3. Leave the bottle or cylinder in an upright position. |
| 4. Ensure it is secured to a solid structure and on a solid base to prevent it falling over, with the Pressure Relief Valve vent facing away from building. The vent is the protrusion, usually with a dust cover, that is opposite of where the gas line screws into the valve. | 4. Ensure it is secured to a solid structure and on a solid base to prevent it falling over, with the Pressure Relief Valve vent facing away from building. The vent is the protrusion, usually with a dust cover, that is opposite of where the gas line screws into the valve. |
| 5. Remove any combustible materials surrounding the gas bottles. | 5. Remove any combustible materials surrounding the gas bottles. |
| Please ensure you: | Please ensure you: |
| 1. Never move an LPG bottle inside a house or structure, as it can be a hazard to firefighters. | 1. Never move an LPG bottle inside a house or structure, as it can be a hazard to firefighters. |
| 2. Never lay it on its side. | 2. Never lay it on its side. |
| 3. Never cover it with wet material to it keep cool. These materials may dry out and burn, heating the bottle/cylinder. | 3. Never cover it with wet material to it keep cool. These materials may dry out and burn, heating the bottle/cylinder. |
| When you return home: | When you return home: |
| • Ensure all supply valves and appliances are turned off if safe to do so. | • Ensure all supply valves and appliances are turned off if safe to do so. |
| • Do not attempt to start any LPG appliance, or turn supply back on, until the installation is checked by a gasfitter. | • Do not attempt to start any LPG appliance, or turn supply back on, until the installation is checked by a gasfitter. |
| • If your cylinders are heat- or fire-damaged Elgas will replace them without cost. | • If your cylinders are heat- or fire-damaged Elgas will replace them without cost. |
| • If cylinders have fallen or are upturned, do not attempt to move them, contact Elgas on 131 161. | • If cylinders have fallen or are upturned, do not attempt to move them, contact Elgas on 131 161. |
| • If you can hear or smell LPG turn cylinders off if safe to do so and call Elgas on 131 161 or a licensed gas fitter. Stay well clear of the installation keep any sources of ignition away. | • If you can hear or smell LPG turn cylinders off if safe to do so and call Elgas on 131 161 or a licensed gas fitter. Stay well clear of the installation keep any sources of ignition away. |
| Coalition MPs have told us they have been invited to listen in on a phone hook-up with Scott Morrison, Michael McCormack and David Littleproud at 3pm Canberra time. | Coalition MPs have told us they have been invited to listen in on a phone hook-up with Scott Morrison, Michael McCormack and David Littleproud at 3pm Canberra time. |
| It’s to discuss the government’s national response. And also to assure them that the Morrison government is on top of the situation. | It’s to discuss the government’s national response. And also to assure them that the Morrison government is on top of the situation. |