The report of the NSW Parliament’s Select Committee on the coronial jurisdiction in NSW was tabled on 29 April 2022. The committee carried out a review of the existing coronial system. Coronial legislation requires the coroner to investigate “certain deaths” as well as “fires and explosions that destroy or damage property”. When deaths occur in bushfires, such as in the Black Summer fires of 2019-2020, these purposes overlap.
Tag Archives: bushfires
Boost to National Park fire management
In another 12 June pre-budget announcement (see previous post), and in further response to the NSW Bushfire Inquiry, the NSW Government committed $598 million over 10 years to the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to “bolster firefighting capabilities, improve radio networks and enhance the protection of significant habitats like the world-famous Wollemi pines”.
Forests, fires & carbon
The United Nations has analysed 257 World Heritage forest sites (some in Australasia) and found that overall this forest network has played a vital role in mitigating climate change, by absorbing 190 million tons of CO2 from the atmosphere every year.
Bushfire Survivors win historic legal case on climate
On 26 August the NSW Land and Environment Court handed down an historic ruling. Chief Justice of the Court Brian Preston found that the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has a duty to take serious action on greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. The case was mounted by Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action (BSCA), represented by the Environmental Defenders Office (EDO).
Independent Bushfire Group 