❓ A parliamentary question seeks information on health impacts and risk assessments related to prescribed burning. The response indicates no specific assessments have been conducted by the DBCA, deferring to the Department of Health and highlighting bushfire mitigation benefits.
AnsweredQoN 1469Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Has the Department undertaken or commissioned an assessment of the health impacts of prescribed burning operations? (2) What is the estimated annual mortality and premature deaths caused by prescribed burning operations? (3) Has the Department conducted a risk and impact assessment considering the full range of impacts of prescribed burning on the economy, community, health and the environment and evaluating the net benefits of the current program?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
20 June 2023
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Environment
Response time
7 days
(1) No. The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) takes advice from the Department of Health on these matters. DBCA works closely with the Bureau of Meteorology to minimise the occurrence of smoke from prescribed burning impacting on communities and will modify its daily burning operations accordingly.
(2) This question is best directed to the Minister for Health.
(3) No. Prescribed burning remains the primary means of protecting the community and environment from the devastating impacts of large bushfires. It is not risk-free but is the most effective strategy in reducing the likelihood, size, and severity of bushfires across the State.
(2) This question is best directed to the Minister for Health.
(3) No. Prescribed burning remains the primary means of protecting the community and environment from the devastating impacts of large bushfires. It is not risk-free but is the most effective strategy in reducing the likelihood, size, and severity of bushfires across the State.
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