SM,
Your comments not only miss the points raised in the article, they are utterly simplistic. You didn't read the article, did you? The notion of farmers and 'foresters' living in the bush is highly appealing, but it does not reflect the reality of the affected communities discussed by Beatriz. The two worst affected areas, Marysville and Kinglake, are not made of farmers and loggers, at least not in the built areas discussed by the article.

European villages and towns offer hundred of examples that would fit the bill on the issue of 'morphology' that the article addresses. A workable parallel could easily be drawn between sizes and number of individuals—but that is not the question here. The article discusses urban spatial arrangements and alternative organisation of services and housing, that could potentially assist to create a different dynamic (socially and environmentally more sustainable).

While no one would disagree with some comments about obvious mistakes, cutting down the forest (so there is nothing tho burn) is not a 'clever' solution, plus is highly inappropriate in the long-term given climate change.

Banjo, while planners may have a role in prevention, further regulating the collecting of rubbish and cleaning the gutters or "maintaining public areas" alone will not prevent another tragedy. I agree with you on that developers have had "carte blanche". We need think and consider the bigger picture for a change. Having said that, I don't think the article is promoting and 'all or nothing' response. It proposes that discussion is needed before 'rebuilding' the same mistakes

I could not cover all the subject here, it is too extensive.

LB,
Loners, like me, have to make our our arrangements for fire protection. I have planned extensively. Gravity fed water supply, generator, sprinklers on roof, under verandah and around yard perimeter, removing most trees for 60 metres and hard grazing area between yard and bush. Insurers could encourage by giving premimum discounts to those who take adequate measures.

satarnine,
You will notice I said town planing was 'part' of the matter.

Part 1. Is the need for fire trails and access into large bush areas and programme for fuel reduction burning. Bushfire brigades are willing to help here as it is used for training, team work and equipment familularisation, and the local knowledge of members, especially new members.

Part 2. Is where town planners come in to ensure developers put in measures in and around village areas to reduce risk. Councils also need to act in relation to already established village areas.

Part 3. Is the responsibility of the home owners themselves to ensure their home is the least vunerable as possible. Look at building regulations. My home is my refuge and this should be the aim of all rural dwellers. My enjoyment of my lifestyle is not affected.

There is nothing new in this and it is all contained in a book by Joan Webster titled 'the complete australian bushfire book'. Joan wrote this after the Ash Wednesday fires. State fire authorities also publish bookletts with the same information.

There is no single answer to fire prevention measures needed.

I suggest that Beatriz has a look at the Australian psyche and ask the question that Macca on the ABC sometimes asks. "Why do I live where I live?"

Town planners also need to take a look at the current trend of designing subdivisions so that they are arranged in the form of a tree, or even of several trees so that there is only one way in or out. This means that if a fire approaches from an adverse direction, there is no escape. Settlements in the bush need to have ring road around them outside of which there is a "Green Zone" containing only non flammable vegetation for a hundred meters or more.

n cities, much more attention needs to made to keep blocks free of flammable material so that incidents such as happened in Bendigo are unable to happen.

In the country, the absurd regulation prohibiting removal of flammable trees should be rescinded. Roadsides should also be kept free of flammable material. In the Labertouche area, the fire ran straight down the rubbish on the roadside, while a couple of metres away, the adjoining paddocks on either side with short grass went unscathed.

David

I think there are some quite good thoughts here, especially about clearing the land around houses and towns, and roadsides, but the one thing that strikes me is the question of the houses themselves. We hear about fire-"resistant" houses, but surely it's not rocket science to build a fire-PROOF house?
Mud-brick, brick, packed-earth, none will burn, metal framing and roofs, or tiles or slate, plus recessed, metal-framed windows and doors with shutters just for starters.
A fire-proof dwelling in a cleared space would seem to me to be a safe way to go. Add winter burn-offs and we might be able to avoid the majority of dangers, or is there something I'm missing here?

One of the major reasons people live in these places is to get away from the RatRace. Can you blame them . Lets face it some people love this enviro , if you like to invent , build things , or like to fiddle with agriculture or maybe a "Caperbility Brown", perhaps your noisey a Lanz Bulldog or a Dirt Track JAP or maybe just pasionate arguments with yourself , none of this would "do" in the city . What was Brian Nayler doing up there , enjoying simplicity and his Wife and dogs I suspect .

Some scribes now are suggesting Town Planners and Building Inspectors , Pigs in the Exhibition Gardens ? I was doing some work on my Home , some busybody called up the Council , What are you doing , you need a permit , What for , the mouldings are under spec . They have been there for 147 years the timber is Blackbutt nothing will eat it and it's all mortice and tennon jointed and is fastened with hand made iron nails . All I was doing was leveling up to replace hard Plaster . We need safty rules not mind numbing Beaurocrats .

Continued

Cont'd

Some scribes now are suggesting Town Planners and Building Inspectors , Pigs in the Exhibition Gardens ? I was doing some work on my Home , some busybody called up the Council , What are you doing , you need a permit , What for , the mouldings are under spec . They have been there for 147 years the timber is Blackbutt nothing will eat it and it's all mortice and tennon jointed and is fastened with hand made iron nails . All I was doing was leveling up to replace hard Plaster . We need safty rules not mind numbing Beaurocrats .

Attitudes subtly crafted by the Greens are to blame for this catastrophy not arson or global warming , I remember about the time Kevin Hennessy suggests Global warming started , we had to move out of our home in the Mallee I think it was 129 deg F , Mum was panniking about my two younger brothers , the batteries in the phone had melted , Dad lashed a 12 Gal drum of water to the running board a styrip pump conveyed water to the radiator of the Dodge Flying Four and we set off for Lake Coomeroop engine boiling all the way , I had shoes on but the red sand was so hot my feet were burning , Mum wrapped my feet with towels that made opening the gates easier .Arriving at the lake we found everybody else there to . I have only suffered that heat once since that was at White Cliffs .A lot of old people died .
Higher temp clearly increases the risk of bushfires .........keep going Kevin say it ;..........combustable load on the forrest floor turns a bushfire into a catastrophy