Sydney news: Bushfire smoke lands on city again, water inquiry gets underway
25 November 2019
Published by https://www.abc.net.au
AUSTRALIA – Smoke blankets Sydney again.
Thunderstorms across Sydney overnight have failed to clear the smoke, with air quality across the city and its surrounds again above hazardous levels.
Smoke haze is being forecast for large areas of the state’s coast and ranges, with air quality in Coffs Harbour and the Illawarra also rated as hazardous.
A very high fire danger warning is in place along the entire New South Wales coastline but there are no total fire bans.
The Rural Fire Service says there are about 80 bushfires burning, with about 50 still out of control.
It is feared today’s hot and windy weather could increase bushfire risks, ahead of a cool change that will bring some welcome rain to parts of eastern NSW.
The mercury is expected to reached the mid-30s from Sydney up to the far north coast ahead of a southerly change tonight.
Water inquiry gets underway
A Sydney Water proposal could see residents’ water bills increase by $30 year from next July if the drought continues.
The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) will today hold public hearings on water pricing.
In its original submission to IPART, Sydney Water proposed cutting people’s water bills by about $45 a year on average.
But in a revised submission, it said it would have to hike annual water bill prices by 2.5 per cent due to unrelenting drought conditions and sinking dam levels.
“While no-one can predict the length of a drought, Sydney Water now has more certainty of drought conditions continuing during our next regulatory period, 2020-24,” a Sydney Water spokesman said.
Officer charged with assault
A NSW Police officer has been charged with allegedly making false reports that he was assaulted at a licensed premises in May.
The 60-year-old was charged with several offences, including two counts of common assault, tamper with evidence with intent to mislead judicial tribunal, and doing an act intending to pervert the course of justice.
Professional Standards police investigated the man following an arrest that took place earlier this year.
He will face court on January 16, and NSW Police said his employment status was “currently under review”.
More firefighters not the answer: former RFS chief
The first commissioner of the New South Wales Rural Fire Service believes climate change is making Australia’s bushfire season worse.
Phil Koperberg was appointed to the role when the organisation was created in 1997.
He said dry fuel loads on the ground, combined with a changing climate, had led to unprecedented fires, and he urged politicians to come up with better solutions, because more firefighters and equipment could only do so much.
“We just can’t ignore this and respond only by putting more and more resources to put the fires out. We can’t do that because somewhere we’re going to find that we don’t have enough,” he said.
Volunteer firefighter sues RFS
A former volunteer rural firefighter and “first responder” is suing the NSW Rural Fire Service, claiming he suffers post-traumatic stress after attending hundreds of critical incidents.
In a statement of claim filed to the NSW Supreme Court, Simon Andrews, 48, is seeking millions of dollars in damages because he can no longer work due to chronic PTSD with associated depression and resulting alcohol abuse.
A hearing before Justice Julia Lonergan is set to begin today and Mr Andrews will allege the RFS failed in its duty of care, was negligent and “failed to take any or any adequate care for the safety of the plaintiff”.
His case for damages is expected to cover lost wages, superannuation, continual medical treatment and interest.
