Bushfires
Bushfires have always been a summer threat during dry times on the south coast. However, with the impact of climate change, prolonged drought conditions created the volatile and catastrophic conditions that overwhelmed the region during the end of 2019 and start of 2020. Lives lost and thousands of homes, dwellings and businesses destroyed have decimated many aspects of the south coast including our emotional well being, economy, social and physical infrastructure and environment. It is a summer no one wants to repeat.
SHASA promotes actions that respond positively to future bushfire threats. These include:
- Develop a fire plan that reflects the reality of the situation we now confront
- Build infrastructure ‘hardened’ to meet future fire events
- Resource and educate the community to be proactive and engaged around responding to fire threats
- Create appropriate community shelters and resources that can be utilised during fire events
- Recognise that climate change is an underlying driver of current and future fire events. SHASA believes the Eurobodalla Shire Council needs to declare a climate emergency and start preparing urgently for future fires and other climate events such as drought and floods. Our lack of preparation during the 2020 bushfires showed how vulnerable we are.
SHASA Achievements
- Upgraded the Moruya Red Door Hall to be a heatwave and bushfire haven funded through grants from the NSW Infrastructure Grant Fund and Federal Government Stronger Communities Fund. Read more here.
- Prepared submissions to the NSW and Federal bushfire inquiries in 2020
- For those of us who are rebuilding following the fires, SHASA has developed a simple list of things to consider to make your house more comfortable and cheaper to run. We hope you find it useful. Read more
here.
Other Resources
Green Rebuild Toolkit – RENEW AUSTRALIA
You’re invited to attend (and share!) free upcoming webinar series offering information for fire-affected communities to rebuild homes for climate and fire resilience.
The webinars coincide with the launch of Renew’s Green Rebuild Toolkit (http://greenrebuildtoolkit.com/) a set of online resources, articles, and information to assist fire-affected communities to plan for, retrofit and rebuild their homes to suit our changing climate. As publishers of both Renew and Sanctuary magazine, Renew draws on over forty years of experience in this sector as well as an extensive network of technical experts, architects and designers.
The webinars feature experts in the field speaking alongside homeowners who have already rebuilt after fire. There will also be the opportunity for people to connect with architects, designers, and bushfire safety experts in a July series of tailored ‘Speed Date a Sustainability Expert’ events, and one-on-one consults for those needing further advice. All events and support are free thanks to GlobalGiving.
The topics and dates for the webinars are as follows:
1. Rebuild first steps | Tuesday 1 June 6-7.30pm
2. Designing & building for bushfire & climate resilience | Wednesday 2 June 6-7.30pm
3. Materials & construction for bushfire & climate resilience | Thursday 3 June 6-7.30pm
4. Home energy setups for bushfire zones & climate resilience | Tuesday 8 June 6-7.30pm
5. Water storage & fire-resistant landscaping | Wednesday 9 June 6-7.30pm
6. Retrofitting for fire resistance | Thursday 10 June 6-7.30pm
For more information, contact greenrebuildtoolkit@renew.org.au