BREAKING: A coalition of business leaders, community groups, and concerned residents in the Hawkesbury region is urgently calling for a parliamentary inquiry into local disaster management. The Hawkesbury, known as one of the most disaster-prone areas in New South Wales, faces escalating risks from devastating fires and floods, which not only impact local residents but also threaten the broader population of Western Sydney.
As the region grapples with severe financial and emotional fallout from recent disasters, the demand for immediate action has intensified. A Monash University study revealed a troubling 3.2% increase in all-cause mortality among individuals over 65 exposed to smoke pollution following the catastrophic Black Summer bushfires. The Menzies Institute for Medical Research estimates that health costs from premature deaths and hospital admissions during the 2019-20 bushfire season skyrocketed to around $2 billion.
Phil Bamford, President of the Hawkesbury Business Group, emphasized the far-reaching consequences of inadequate disaster planning, stating, “What happens in the Hawkesbury doesn’t stay in the Hawkesbury. When our region floods or burns, Western Sydney feels the impact.”
Local Council’s Inaction Sparks Outcry
While neighboring councils, particularly the Blue Mountains, have made substantial investments in disaster mitigation, the Hawkesbury Council has fallen behind. Following the Black Summer, the Blue Mountains Council implemented essential safety measures, including the installation of roadside water tanks for quicker access by firefighters and the expansion of Neighbourhood Safer Places to 32 designated refuges.
In stark contrast, the Hawkesbury Council has resisted similar initiatives, opposing the creation of additional Neighbourhood Safer Places and roadside water installations, arguing without evidence that such facilities encourage residents to remain during emergencies. Their reliance on aerial firefighting and bulk water carriers has proven insufficient during major incidents like the Gospers Mountain blaze.
“Here in the Hawkesbury, Council has done almost nothing. It’s not just disappointing, it’s dangerous,” said a local volunteer firefighter, who requested anonymity due to potential disciplinary action.
Inquiry Essential for Future Safety
There is growing concern over the lack of critical evaluation regarding the Hawkesbury Fire Control’s strategic backburning tactics, which contributed to the Gospers Mountain mega-fire. This method remains the primary bushfire management strategy in the region, raising alarms about a possible repeat disaster.
Residents are urged to prepare for the upcoming fire season as Hawkesbury Fire Control announced intentions to continue the controversial approach used during the 2019-20 fires. Given the widespread impact of fire and smoke events on millions throughout Western Sydney, this situation demands urgent attention.
“Our rainforests are part of who we are—they protect our water, our wildlife, and our way of life. When fire threatens them, it threatens us too,” stated Allen Hyde from the Rainforest Conservancy at Mt Urvine. “If a parliamentary inquiry is needed to ensure stronger protections, then that’s a step worth taking.”
Community leaders stress the necessity for the inquiry to:
- Assess Hawkesbury’s disaster preparedness compared to similar local government areas.
- Review the reliance on outdated fire management strategies.
- Recommend necessary reforms in infrastructure and planning to safeguard residents.
Lionel Buckett, a foundation member of the NSW RFS and a lifelong resident, expressed urgency: “The people of the Hawkesbury have been left to fend for themselves with inadequate infrastructure. We need roadside water, we need safer places, and we need them before the next bad fire season—not after people have died and property destroyed.”
The demand for a parliamentary inquiry is echoed throughout the community as they seek immediate action to bolster disaster preparedness in the Hawkesbury region. As the risks of natural disasters continue to grow, the time for decisive action is NOW.
Watch this space for updates on the parliamentary inquiry and ongoing community efforts to improve disaster management in the Hawkesbury.
