Hon ED DERMER asks about discussions and funding for Bureau of Meteorology forecasters to improve bushfire preparedness. Hon PETER COLLIER confirms discussions are ongoing, demand is increasing, and funding is 'not applicable' at this stage.

AnsweredQoN 1220Legislative Council
Asked
26 November 2009
Portfolio
Emergency Services

QuestionView source ↗

BUSHFIRE PREPAREDNESS — BUREAU OF METEOROLOGY FORECASTERS
I refer to the “Review of Western Australia’s Bushfire Preparedness” dated April 2009 and, in particular, reference to options and funding issues for the provision of Bureau of Meteorology forecasters to ensure more effective interpretation of forecasts by fire agencies. (1) Have discussions on these options taken place? (2) What were the outcomes of those discussions, if any? (3) How will the proposals be funded? Hon PETER COLLIER

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) The Bureau of Meteorology provides a high level of forecasting service to the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia and other agencies. Discussions on the provision of additional services have indicated that demand is increasing due to the amendments to the Bush Fires Act 1954, which relate to total fire bans and the changes to the fire danger rating system as a result of the Victorian royal commission. The options for additional dedicated or peak activity forecasting services will be monitored and reviewed during this fire and cyclone season. (3) Not applicable.
(1) Have discussions on these options taken place? (2) What were the outcomes of those discussions, if any? (3) How will the proposals be funded? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) The Bureau of Meteorology provides a high level of forecasting service to the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia and other agencies. Discussions on the provision of additional services have indicated that demand is increasing due to the amendments to the Bush Fires Act 1954, which relate to total fire bans and the changes to the fire danger rating system as a result of the Victorian royal commission. The options for additional dedicated or peak activity forecasting services will be monitored and reviewed during this fire and cyclone season. (3) Not applicable.
(2) What were the outcomes of those discussions, if any? (3) How will the proposals be funded? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) The Bureau of Meteorology provides a high level of forecasting service to the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia and other agencies. Discussions on the provision of additional services have indicated that demand is increasing due to the amendments to the Bush Fires Act 1954, which relate to total fire bans and the changes to the fire danger rating system as a result of the Victorian royal commission. The options for additional dedicated or peak activity forecasting services will be monitored and reviewed during this fire and cyclone season. (3) Not applicable.
(3) How will the proposals be funded? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) The Bureau of Meteorology provides a high level of forecasting service to the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia and other agencies. Discussions on the provision of additional services have indicated that demand is increasing due to the amendments to the Bush Fires Act 1954, which relate to total fire bans and the changes to the fire danger rating system as a result of the Victorian royal commission. The options for additional dedicated or peak activity forecasting services will be monitored and reviewed during this fire and cyclone season. (3) Not applicable.
Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) The Bureau of Meteorology provides a high level of forecasting service to the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia and other agencies. Discussions on the provision of additional services have indicated that demand is increasing due to the amendments to the Bush Fires Act 1954, which relate to total fire bans and the changes to the fire danger rating system as a result of the Victorian royal commission. The options for additional dedicated or peak activity forecasting services will be monitored and reviewed during this fire and cyclone season. (3) Not applicable.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) The Bureau of Meteorology provides a high level of forecasting service to the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia and other agencies. Discussions on the provision of additional services have indicated that demand is increasing due to the amendments to the Bush Fires Act 1954, which relate to total fire bans and the changes to the fire danger rating system as a result of the Victorian royal commission. The options for additional dedicated or peak activity forecasting services will be monitored and reviewed during this fire and cyclone season. (3) Not applicable.
(1) Yes. (2) The Bureau of Meteorology provides a high level of forecasting service to the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia and other agencies. Discussions on the provision of additional services have indicated that demand is increasing due to the amendments to the Bush Fires Act 1954, which relate to total fire bans and the changes to the fire danger rating system as a result of the Victorian royal commission. The options for additional dedicated or peak activity forecasting services will be monitored and reviewed during this fire and cyclone season. (3) Not applicable.
(2) The Bureau of Meteorology provides a high level of forecasting service to the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia and other agencies. Discussions on the provision of additional services have indicated that demand is increasing due to the amendments to the Bush Fires Act 1954, which relate to total fire bans and the changes to the fire danger rating system as a result of the Victorian royal commission. The options for additional dedicated or peak activity forecasting services will be monitored and reviewed during this fire and cyclone season. (3) Not applicable.
(3) Not applicable.

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