Decision details

Moved by Councillor Phelps, seconded by Councillor Thalis –

It is resolved that:

(A)        Council note:

(i)          Australia is in the midst of the most catastrophic bushfire season it has ever seen;

(ii)         at least 33 people have been killed in these fires including at least five Australian firefighters, more than 2,500 homes have been destroyed, over 18 million hectares have burned, and more than one billion animals are said to have died in the bushfires so far this fire season;

(iii)        prolonged drought has exacerbated these fires and resulted in a hotter, dryer climate which has amplified the scale of our fire season;

(iv)       the City has already donated and supported - in various ways - the disaster recovery effort including through parking fee waivers, charity events, communications support and more; and

(v)         on 23 January 2020, three American firefighters (Ian McBeth, Paul Hudson and Rick DeMorgan) were killed when a large plane carrying fire retardant crashed near Canberra; and

(B)        all present in the Chamber stand for one minute’s silence to honour the professional and volunteer firefighters who have lost their lives, and all those affected by the bushfires.

Carried unanimously.

Note – All Councillors, staff, press and members of the public present stood in silence for one minute to honour the firefighters who have lost their lives, and all those affected by the bushfires.

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