Report calls for more bushfire prevention funding
Report calls for more bushfire prevention funding
12 July 2013
published by www.northernweekly.com.au
Australia — Big business representatives will attempt to improve natural disaster resilience following the release of a white paper exploring the cost of bushfire prevention and rebuilding.
The paper, Building our nations resilience to natural disaster, was launched by the Australian Business Roundtable for Disaster Resilience and Safer Communities on July 9.
The white paper included case studies on bushfire damage in Victoria, floods in New South Wales and cyclones and floods in Queensland.
The Victorian case study found the largest potential loss caused by a bushfire would be one that affects the greater Melbourne Metropolitan fringe.
The annual cost associated with bushfire risk in Melbournes fringe is estimated to be $51 million. This figure is predicted to rise to about $165 million by 2050.
CGU chief executive Peter Harmer said identifying and making a priority of pre-disaster investment would improve disaster resilience and [create] safer communities.
Pre-bushfire resilience includes building more fire-resistent houses, managing vegetation and reducing ignition sources.
It is sad we have to go to such lengths to justify why we need to save homes, he said.
Mr Harmer said the group will continue to work together to combat the funding paralysis that undermines governments motivation to pay for disaster prevention infrastructure.
The solution the white paper puts forward touches on the moral, ethical and social impact, he said.
The white paper recommended improving the co-ordination of pre-disaster resilience, a commitment to consolidated funding for pre-disaster resilience, and identifying mitigation investment.
Ian Holman, a member of the Whittlesea Community Resilience Committee, said businesses and government bodies needed to engage with grassroots groups to get a better understanding or residents concerns.
They need to be talking to people like us or the community house, he said. Mr Holman said insurance companies could offer a rebate or some kind of financial incentive to people who clear vegetation from around their homes.
He said he was concerned insurance providers did not provide enough information to people in bushfire-prone areas.
CGU spokeswomen Natalie Pennisi said CGU makes every effort to ensure customers are informed of their policy benefits and cover.
Australian Red Cross emergency services state manager Adam Dent said it was difficult to find funding for rebuilding following a natural disaster.
Advocating and vying for that money is nigh on impossible sometimes, he said.
The roundtable was led by CGU Insurance and included representatives from Westpac, Optus, Investa property, insurance group Munich Re and the Red Cross.
