top of page
  • Writer's pictureRyan Posselt

Bushfire Preparedness

Updated: Feb 26, 2022

This weeks bushfire on Mount Nelson came as a timely reminder to residents of Hobart city that bushfire is a threat we live with every summer. Science tells us that bushfires are likely to become more frequent and more ferocious in the immediate future as a result of climate change. This weeks fire in Mount Nelson started as a result of routine bush care, the use of a brush cutter. It roared into life in seconds, and as I drove past on the Southern Outlet, I saw flames stretching 15-20m into the sky while our fires services, both professional and volunteer, went to work to get this threat under contol. We take their work for granted but it is dangerous work, as the tragic crash of a fire fighting helicopter this month in the North of the sate reminded us all. So we must do everything we can to manage fire threat while living amongst the bushland mountain setting that we hold so dear. The 55th anniversary of the 1967 disaster reminded us all of the consequences of failing to do so.


The fire at Mount Nelson tracked into an area of bushland that had recently undergone a fuel reduction burn. I have no doubt that this contributed to the Tasmanian Fire Service's ability to get the fire under control. Many aspects of fire mitigation come under Hobart City Council responsibilities. That is why it is important we continue to fund a proper fire mitigation strategy. Including:


  • Supporting the Tasmanian Fire Service in their bush fire mitigation activities.

  • Ensuring the network of fire trail in, and access points to, our bushland are maintained to the highest standard, which allows heavy tankers to get in to fire prone areas.

  • Listening to fire fighting and fire mitigation experts, allowing science and experience to be at the forefront of Hobart's bushfire management plan.

  • Continuing to enforce robust planning rules in bushfire prone areas.

  • Supporting bushfire prone communities to have local plans in place in the event of major bushfire, including encouraging households to have current bushfire survival plans that are reviewed annually.

  • Promoting safety messaging each bushfire season.


Recent Posts

See All
bottom of page