Peter,
I do not necessary argee with you. Federal take over of everything does not ensure it is going to be improved. In fact the bigger the burauecracy the bigger the stuff ups can be. Bushfire control was taken away from local councils, in NSW, not long ago and, although they have build a vast empire, I do not expect any improvement in fire control. More of the funds simply go on administration.

Our electricity was taken over by the state and no improvement. Control of hospitals were taken out of local boards and they are now a mess. So being bigger does not mean better.

We have a ridiculous situation where the PM is commenting on things said on a talk back radio station about a girls sexual experiences. One would think the feds would have much more to consider in the bigger picture.

I believe our Bushfire Brigades worked better when there was far more local input and decissions on equipment and stratagies were made locally. I think now too much is placed on centralized control.

So No, I do not agree that bushfire control should be a federal matter.

10 metres for big stuff and 30 metres for under growth clearence limits from homes are woefully inadequate.
There has been no mention, as far as I can tell, of cutting trees back from roads; no tree that is in a position to fall and block a road should be allowed to remain standing. It only takes one fallen tree to turn an escape route into a disaster area.

Waste a vote : Vote Green

We seem to be singing in harmony Banjo.
You and I know the federal government plays no part in the problem.
Local government, very often greens or lost unknowing conservationists are committing the murders.
Its been cold and frosty in the mornings, dry very little wind sunny days.
Nothing hard about it, about now, no later get the drip torch out and get working.
By nigh fall it is out or burning in a circle you and I would have made, with our fire torch's.
We may have started 4 hours ago, but we would kill no animals, no trees no humans, and once the dead leaves finish falling in a few weeks it would be safe for a while.
Our fire stations are closed sheds empty, no one to take the risk, see if you burn and do not know just how to do it, or the wind changes you can be in real trouble.
red tape is killing good practice in fire fighting.

This post would have been just as much at home in the one NSW a basket case.
That thread however died at the hands of Christian fundamentalism.
On leaving this thread a few minutes ago I went to Sydney Heralds home page.
The headline story?
In the midst of a truly demoralized fire fighting system no joy for ,
Those who freely give time to put our fires out, they find they are forced into standing up to this states lost leader, debt burdened he has the rat bag idea combining departments will fix it.
Watch this space, his party must understand he is the problem not the answer.
Fire fighters must be supported not driven out of the service.
I fear the outcomes of such government acts at this time.

Belly
I agree entirely with you about fuel reduction burning. During winter, we get a few hours on frosty days when it can be best done. Far too much paperwork and other rot for brigades to be bothered now, especially on crown land. It can take up to 3 years to get approval to burn, which is ridiculous.

The other day it was a good day to burn, so I let the neighbors know and went and lit up a few heaps of stumps, etc and then pushed them in again before dark. Make the most of good opportunity to get rid of hazard.

I am sure we will find other things on which to disagree.

Belly et al,
I agree with controlled burns but by who? Take the Adelaide hills I have been told that one of the characters who started the fire was a CFSer.

I also agree with SA in that building in high fire areas is banned or closely controlled (mandatory inclusions).
Home owners in rural/semi rural environments need to take responsibility for their local fire protection as being legally part of living in such areas. Rather than what happens now 'it's someone else's problem' (SEP). In the area I was referring to earlier all the owners blamed the council (they have the bush fire trained people all of 25 fighters).

These same people bitched and carried on about a levy to pay for fire reduction. Because its an semi urban area the fires are attended by the fire brigade who are trained in house fires.

The whole way we address bush fires in this country needs to be re evaluated.

The idea that there hasn't been a fire here before so there won't be needs to addressed. I'm thinking that in most local areas the ground load are weeds like lantana which burns hot enough to cause hot fires.. For that and other reasons I firmly believe that cold burns are ONE of a suit of actions and not always the best solution in all situations.

I have seen mass disasters created by Know it all farmers and people who think they know burning off. I favour people who do know i.e. have training experience and education in short understanding of the consequences etc.
Imagine if we burned off massive areas tomorrow consider the smoke the release of CO2 etc.

I remember a farmer burning off and because of the smoke caused 3 car accidents on a adjacent highway which claimed the lives of a young family....the farmer got $5k fine and a suspended sentence.