Today the CFA released details of three recent surveys into community attitudes towards bushfire preparation, warnings and action.
The survey results show that significant numbers of people still plan on staying at home on Code Red days.
As a result of the surveys Emergency Services are again reminding people living in high bushfire risk areas of the importance of leaving early.
CFA and the Office of the Emergency Services Commissioner both recently commissioned research into community attitudes towards bushfire preparation, warnings and actions. A third piece of research was also commissioned by the Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre into residents actions during the Black Saturday bushfires.
The CFA report shows that more than 84% of people living in high bushfire risk areas have a Bushfire Survival Plan and 94% of people recognise that they need to be self-sufficient in the event of a bushfire.
Most alarming was that almost one in three people surveyed (31.3%) plan to stay at home on Code Red days. Of these respondents 25 percent of said there would need to be a fire before they considered leaving their home.
This is a dangerous decision to be making, the last place to be when there is an active fire is on the road trying to escape and on a Code Red day conditions are guaranteed to be treacherous.
The weather conditions on Black Saturday were ferocious and resulted in a tragic loss of life, natural assets and built assets. Code Red days are, by their very nature, fierce and extreme weather days, it is not safe to be in an area of bushfire risk on these days let alone on the road.
I urge people to think very carefully about their fire plans on these days, it is extremely dangerous to stay in your home on these days.
If you’d like to read a summary of each of the three research papers released today click here, for a full copy of the reports click below:
http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/documents/Benchmark_Report_Dec09.pdf
http://www.oesc.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/OESC/Home/Working+with+Communities/OESC+-+People+Movement+During+Bushfires+Research+REVISED+PDF
http://www.bushfirecrc.com/publications/downloads/Mail-Survey-report-10-1-10-rt-2.pdf
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
are we gm seed free?
The last day of 2009 saw the harvest of a Genetically Modified (GM) Canola crop at a local farm in Beaconsfield (see blog), just across the boundary from the Eastern Victoria electorate.
It was a blustery day, with wind speeds reaching highs across the state. How could the seeds from this crop possible be contained under the windy conditions experienced on harvest day?
The people of Victoria don't want GM food and don't want GM crops, it's time to restore Victoria's clean, green reputation.
It was a blustery day, with wind speeds reaching highs across the state. How could the seeds from this crop possible be contained under the windy conditions experienced on harvest day?
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This photo shows clearly the dust blowing up from the harvest. How many GM Canola seeds have been blown on to the roadsides, parklands, reserves and residential gardens in the municipalities of Cardinia and Casey?
There is no independent assessment process for Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and there should be. The assessment should be based on rigorous and robust scientific standards, we should have a full understanding of the impact of GMOs prior to their release into our food chain and our environment. This should be law in Victoria.
The decision to allow GM Canola to be grown in Victoria was a retrograde one, just as it is in the recently announced Western Australia decision to allow GM crops.
Victoria has lost its clean green image, it was a backward step, our ability to market our primary produce as GM free squandered.
Already we have seen GM pollen outbreaks confirmed in Geelong, the pollen making its way into the honey of a local honey producer.
GM contamination is inevitable and leaves communities, organic farmers and local councils with major clean up headaches into the future. This is a ticking time bomb.
There is no independent assessment process for Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and there should be. The assessment should be based on rigorous and robust scientific standards, we should have a full understanding of the impact of GMOs prior to their release into our food chain and our environment. This should be law in Victoria.
The decision to allow GM Canola to be grown in Victoria was a retrograde one, just as it is in the recently announced Western Australia decision to allow GM crops.
Victoria has lost its clean green image, it was a backward step, our ability to market our primary produce as GM free squandered.
Already we have seen GM pollen outbreaks confirmed in Geelong, the pollen making its way into the honey of a local honey producer.
GM contamination is inevitable and leaves communities, organic farmers and local councils with major clean up headaches into the future. This is a ticking time bomb.
The people of Victoria don't want GM food and don't want GM crops, it's time to restore Victoria's clean, green reputation.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
in the press - public transport
Will the new Public Transport Minister and Parliamentary Secretary help Manningham?
Manningham Leader
by Bryan Allchin
28 Jan 10
Manningham Leader
by Bryan Allchin
28 Jan 10
Thursday, January 21, 2010
cowes - forum on sexual assault and rape
Last night I attended a community forum about rape and sexual assault in Cowes. My congratulations to Rebecca Harrison for organising the forum, she is a young woman committed to seeing action on this issue.
left to right: Rebecca Harrison and Samantha Dunn. Rebecca is to be commended for her efforts, she wants to see action on this issue and highlight it to the broader community.
It is an issue that is prevalent in our society with 1 in 7 girls between the ages of 12 and 20 being the victim of a sexual assault.
It was clear from the forum that one of the keys to tackling the issue was greater awareness of what constitutes sexual assault. Greater awareness leads to more reporting and more support for victims of this terrible crime.
These figures are alarming. We need a long term plan to address this issue in our society. Focus has to be given to women’s support services, including sexual assault centres across regional Victoria.
The issue is so alarming that it is time for a national inquiry into sexual assault and uniform sexual assault laws so we can truly start to address this issue in our state.
Funding is also needed for initiatives involving men and boys to address the issue of violence against women, including education from early primary school level.
This is a critical issue and much needs to be done. So many girls are affected that we need a two pronged approach. One to deal with the here and now and a longer term strategy to stop it getting worse.
For too long the Government has not given this issue the attention and resources it needs. It’s time to say enough is enough.
left to right: Rebecca Harrison and Samantha Dunn. Rebecca is to be commended for her efforts, she wants to see action on this issue and highlight it to the broader community.
It is an issue that is prevalent in our society with 1 in 7 girls between the ages of 12 and 20 being the victim of a sexual assault.
It was clear from the forum that one of the keys to tackling the issue was greater awareness of what constitutes sexual assault. Greater awareness leads to more reporting and more support for victims of this terrible crime.
These figures are alarming. We need a long term plan to address this issue in our society. Focus has to be given to women’s support services, including sexual assault centres across regional Victoria.
The issue is so alarming that it is time for a national inquiry into sexual assault and uniform sexual assault laws so we can truly start to address this issue in our state.
Funding is also needed for initiatives involving men and boys to address the issue of violence against women, including education from early primary school level.
This is a critical issue and much needs to be done. So many girls are affected that we need a two pronged approach. One to deal with the here and now and a longer term strategy to stop it getting worse.
For too long the Government has not given this issue the attention and resources it needs. It’s time to say enough is enough.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Friday, January 8, 2010
Thursday, January 7, 2010
ban aid to japanese whalers - sign petition now
As a result of the news that the Japanese whaling fleet hired Australian planes to track the Sea Shepherd ship, the Greens intend to introduce a bill banning activities associated with whaling in Australia when the Senate resumes in February.
You can help.
Senator Bob Brown is calling on Australians to support the Bill by signing an online petition. Bob will refer to the full list of supporters when he introduces the bill in February and a copy of the list will be delivered to the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition.
From left to right: Samantha Dunn - Greens candidate for Eastern Victoria, Sea Shepherd Crew Member and Greens Senator Christine Milne aboard the Sea Shepherd's Steve Irwin in Hobart before it set sail for Fremantle and operation Waltzing Matilda.
If you’d like to sign the petition click here, but remember to do it before parliament resumes in February.
In supporting the petition I said “It is disgraceful that successive federal governments have allowed the Japanese to whale in Australia's Antarctic Territory waters year after year. Under no circumstance should any support be forthcoming from Australia to Japanese whalers to assist them in their operations. Mr Rudd, what happened to your election promise to take the Japanese whalers to court?
I’d like to know that my 8 year old son could enjoy the splendour of these magnificent creatures in the future, whilst this slaughter continues their future is looking bleak. It is possible to undertake research programs without killing whales, this slaughter needs to stop.
I urge the government to show leadership on this issue. Australia must commence continued surveillance operations to ensure that our waters are protected from this hideous activity. I urge the government and coalition to support the Greens Bill banning activities associated with whaling in Australia. This legislation must pass to ensure no more Australian aid or assistance goes towards Japanese whaling.”
I urge you to sign this petition and it would be great if you could forward this information to your networks too.
It is time for Australians to make a stand and say enough is enough. Make your voice heard here.
You can help.
Senator Bob Brown is calling on Australians to support the Bill by signing an online petition. Bob will refer to the full list of supporters when he introduces the bill in February and a copy of the list will be delivered to the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition.
From left to right: Samantha Dunn - Greens candidate for Eastern Victoria, Sea Shepherd Crew Member and Greens Senator Christine Milne aboard the Sea Shepherd's Steve Irwin in Hobart before it set sail for Fremantle and operation Waltzing Matilda.
If you’d like to sign the petition click here, but remember to do it before parliament resumes in February.
In supporting the petition I said “It is disgraceful that successive federal governments have allowed the Japanese to whale in Australia's Antarctic Territory waters year after year. Under no circumstance should any support be forthcoming from Australia to Japanese whalers to assist them in their operations. Mr Rudd, what happened to your election promise to take the Japanese whalers to court?
I’d like to know that my 8 year old son could enjoy the splendour of these magnificent creatures in the future, whilst this slaughter continues their future is looking bleak. It is possible to undertake research programs without killing whales, this slaughter needs to stop.
I urge the government to show leadership on this issue. Australia must commence continued surveillance operations to ensure that our waters are protected from this hideous activity. I urge the government and coalition to support the Greens Bill banning activities associated with whaling in Australia. This legislation must pass to ensure no more Australian aid or assistance goes towards Japanese whaling.”
I urge you to sign this petition and it would be great if you could forward this information to your networks too.
It is time for Australians to make a stand and say enough is enough. Make your voice heard here.
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