2LT Local News

KATOOMBA, Blue Mountains, NSW, Australia – Bushfires and climate change will be the main topics at a national forum to be held in the Blue Mountains on Tuesday.

More than 60 local government representatives, academics and community groups from around Australia will attend the forum at the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre in Katoomba to primarily share knowledge on the growing risks that come with longer, more intense bushfire seasons.

The Cities Power Partnership, Australia’s largest local government climate program, with over 100 councils representing almost 11 million Australians committing to tackle climate change together, will host the roundtable.

Professor Lesley Hughes, climate councillor and scientist will address climate science and what it means for Australia’s bushfire threat.

On the front line of worsening bushfires in New South Wales will be the focus of Greg Mullins, the former NSW Fire Commissioner and Climate Councillor.

Timothy McNaught, Director, Office of Bushfire Risk Management, from W.A. will discuss bushfires, climate change and local government: best practice.

The forum, which will start at 9:30am Tuesday and run through to 5:00pm, will also look at how local government can better collaborate on these challenges, what additional support they need to be prepared for, and what are the knowledge gaps that need to be addressed.

“It’s imperative that all levels of government commit to swift and meaningful action to drive down Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions to reduce the climate impacts that put our community at risk of more frequent and intense bushfires,” Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill (pictured left) said Saturday.

“Also, everyone has a shared responsibility to build bushfire smart and resilient communities.”

Blue Mountains Ward 2 Councillor Brent Hoare (pictured right) said: “As we know, regional and rural areas are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, and heightened bushfire risk is something we’re all too aware of in the Blue Mountains. Through the Cities Power Partnership, we can work closely with our neighbours to develop a strong, unified regional climate action plan.”

Why the heightened concern about bushfires, and how does climate change affect bushfires?

– 2018 showed that an all-year round bushfire season is ‘the new norm’ in Australia

– Australia is getting hotter, with more extreme hot days and longer, hotter heat waves – and these conditions are increasing the risk of bushfires in many areas

– Hotter conditions and periods of low rainfall dry out soil and vegetation, increasing fire risk

– Hotter conditions mean a longer fire season, leaving less time for hazard reduction

– A warmer climate increases the chance of lightning, which is a key factor in starting fires

– Severe fires have been influenced by record hot, dry conditions (the 2013 October bushfires in the Blue Mountains followed the hottest September on record, days well above average in October and exceptionally dry conditions)