MidCoast Council deputy mayor Claire Pontin has signed a joint statement calling on the federal government to acknowledge the link between climate change and the bushfire conditions in NSW and Queensland in the past two weeks.
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Cr Pontin was one of 12 councillors from across the State and Queensland to urge the government to recognise costs to the community from catastrophic fires and provide more funding and resources for frontline services.
"The catastrophic conditions for these fires were, at least in part, fuelled by climate change," the statement read.
"Thirteen of the 14 hottest years on record have occurred this century. Last year Queensland experienced catastrophic fire conditions for the first time.
"This week, Sydney experienced catastrophic fire conditions for the first time.
"Climate change has grave costs for our community that can no longer be ignored. The fires across Australia this week have caused catastrophic damage.
"In the past week, people have lost their lives, their loved ones, and their homes. Many businesses have lost the ability to operate and trade."
The statement also discussed air quality and the need to conduct hazard reduction burns.
It called for the government to "honestly and bravely address one of the major causes of these fires, climate change."
"Now we need to significantly increase funding to frontline services," the statement continued.
"Now we need to place the welfare and safety of citizens ahead of profit, and to support those companies offering real solutions.
"Some regional towns are already running out of water. How will they survive the next fire?
"Many in the insurance industry are saying that large areas of Australia will be uninsurable.
"This government has the chance to be the first to turn the years of inaction and neglect into action and focus and allow our communities to reap the rewards.
"When we have a crisis, it makes sense for us to listen to emergency service professionals.
"Now, it makes sense for our federal government to listen to the warnings of those on the frontline.
"We need the government to acknowledge the link between climate change and bushfire, we need more funding for all emergency services, and we need the government to take the action required to prevent megafires.
"Now is not the time for blame. Now is the time for leadership, and keeping all Australians safe."
