9 March 2007

National Bushfire Forum 27 February 2007 “Are Big Fires Inevitable?”

The national forum convened by the Bushfire CRC as a Fire Knowledge Network event at Parliament House, Canberra on Tuesday 27 February was a great success. It attracted more than 150 participants, including more than 30 panelists/speakers.

Three federal ministers spoke at the event - the Special Minister of State the Hon. Mr Gary Nairn; the Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation Senator the Hon. Eric Abetz; and the Attorney-General the Hon. Mr Phillip Ruddock. The Speaker of the House attended part of the Forum, along with several other MPs, Senators and ministerial staffers. Other participants included Departmental Secretaries at the Federal and State level, Commissioners, Chief Officers, CEO’s and Chief Fire Officers of partner fire and land management agencies, the CEO of AFAC, senior officials from federal government departments, CEO’s and senior researchers from other CRCs, and representatives of the water and forestry industries and the environment sector. Please see our Web site www.bushfirecrc.com for more background on the program for the day and attendees.

For many participants this was their first real contact with the Bushfire CRC. Feedback on the day indicated we have been successful in raising the awareness of the complex issues involved fire and land management related to the recent large fires, the role of the Bushfire CRC in contributing to the issues, and the linkages with other sectors such as water, the environment and forestry.

Kevin O’Loughlin
CEO