Professor Jason Sharples of UNSW-ADFA has completed his preliminary fire report which was released on the 20 June. The report received good coverage on ABC local radio, in the Canberra Times and elsewhere.
Dr Sharples identifies that there is a high fire risk for housing in both the ACT and NSW sections of the Ginninderry development. The risk in the NSW section is particularly high. This is because steep slopes to the northwest of the proposed development line up with the prevailing wind direction in such a way that, under certain weather conditions, the area will be prone to unpredictable and extreme fire behaviour and mass spotting caused by embers borne on strong winds.
Current bushfire risk standards, planning and practice do not account for the latest research, and need to be updated. The research suggests that a much more precautionary approach to urban planning in the area is needed. This evidence combined with the risk to threatened species shows that we need to have a serious rethink of rezoning of environmental land to urban in the area.
Without your invaluable support, this report may never have seen the light of day. We now need to keep up the momentum and ensure that this issue receives the attention it deserves and that other issues such as risk to threatened species are also considered. Please help us by continuing to share our campaign among your networks.
Important links
- Prof Sharples report: Risk Implications of Dynamic Fire Propagation
- ABC 666 radio interview with Dr Sharples and Robyn Coghlan (from our Committee)
- The Canberra Times - Fire risk underestimated at Ginninderry development, report finds
- Our crowdfunding page to help pay for this and more.
Cheers,
Darryl Seto
(for the Ginninderra Falls Committee)
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