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NSW fires live, Victoria bushfires updates and two dead in South Australia – latest news NSW fires live, Victoria bushfires updates and two dead in South Australia – latest news
(32 minutes later)
Two people have died in SA fires on Kangaroo Island, as New South Wales and Victorian fire chiefs warn today’s conditions may be the worst of the entire bushfire season. Follow live news and latest updatesTwo people have died in SA fires on Kangaroo Island, as New South Wales and Victorian fire chiefs warn today’s conditions may be the worst of the entire bushfire season. Follow live news and latest updates
Scott Morrison is asked whether the premiers are on board about the NSC proposals. He says he spoke to them this morning and they were positive. He’s then asked whether the boost to funding for water bombers is ongoing. Morrison says it is.
Morrison is asked about the ongoing health impacts of the smoke.
He says:
The prime minister confirms his planned overseas trips, to India and Japan, are off.
The defence minister is then asked to clarify the extent of the call out of the ADF reserves. Linda Reynolds says the government has estimated up to about 3,000, “but again, it might be less, it depends on what’s actually required as we go forward. At the moment this is open-ended”.
The prime minister is asked where the new water bombers are coming from. He says he’s advised two will be available within seven days and the other will be available within 14 days.
Scott Morrison is asked how worried are you about the risks today. He ignores the specific inquiry and moves to convey empathy. He says he understands how anxious people are, and he says the government will be with them all the way.
The prime minister says the feedback he’s picked up on the ground has led to today’s decisions.
We have moved to questions now.
Q: With the bombers, the RFS chief Shane Fitzsimmons in New South Wales has said today that the federal government rejected the business case a couple of years ago for more of those water bombers. Was that a mistake and how quickly will they be able to actually be tackling the fires in Australia if you are leasing them?
The prime minister brushes the question off. He says the government responded with two separate decisions of $11m which brought it up to the same level of capacity as was sought by that business case. “So that business case was addressed through a different method”.
The prime minister is flanked by the defence minister Linda Reynolds. She makes a point of praising the prime minister.
Linda Reynolds:
Scott Morrison ends his opening salvo by thanking the premiers for their support.
But he says the primary objective today is to keep people safe.
The prime minister says the government will also stand up a national recovery agency “along the lines of what we established for drought and for the response to the North Queensland floods and we’ll have more to say about that in the next few days about those arrangements”.
The prime minister says just around half an hour ago, the governor-general signed off on the call-out of the Australian Defence Force Reserve to “search and bring every possible capability to bear by deploying army brigades to fire affected communities across Australia”.
Morrison says a two-star emergency ADF national support co-ordinator will have national authority over the ADF joint task forces in each of the affected states working in co-operation to support state emergency authorities.
He says the HMAS Adelaide, the navy’s largest amphibious ship, has been readied to join the current ships in supporting the evacuation of citizens from fire affected areas along the coastline. The Adelaide has been loaded up with a bunch of kit.
Morrison says the NSC today committed up to $20m to lease four extra planes to meet any anticipated future requests from the premiers. That will include two long range fixed wings DC-10s with 30,000 litres capacity and two medium range large air tankers with an 11,000 litre capacity.
He says the Commonwealth will fully fund the leasing costs with operational costs to be shared with state and territories as usual as they seek to use those assets.
Scott Morrison:
Having now acknowledged where things stand, Morrison is making a number of announcements.Having now acknowledged where things stand, Morrison is making a number of announcements.
He says traditionally the Commonwealth’s role in disaster management has been respond to requests, but now there needs to be a more forward leaning approach.He says traditionally the Commonwealth’s role in disaster management has been respond to requests, but now there needs to be a more forward leaning approach.
Scott Morrison:Scott Morrison:
The prime minister has emerged in his courtyard in Canberra. The opening salvo from Scott Morrison is empathy for the victims and thanks to the authorities and the premiers. Morrison is now acknowledging the scale of the problem Australia faces.The prime minister has emerged in his courtyard in Canberra. The opening salvo from Scott Morrison is empathy for the victims and thanks to the authorities and the premiers. Morrison is now acknowledging the scale of the problem Australia faces.
Scott Morrison:Scott Morrison:
Just while we wait for Scott Morrison, Murph mentioned earlier that more than 1000 people have been successfully evacuated from Mallacoota in eastern Victoria by the Royal Australian Navy, with the first rescued residents arriving to safety. Just while we wait for Scott Morrison, Murph mentioned earlier that more than 1,000 people have been successfully evacuated from Mallacoota in eastern Victoria by the Royal Australian Navy, with the first rescued residents arriving to safety.
HMAS Choules and MV Sycamore arrived at Mallacoota, cut off by out-of-control bushfires, on January 2: with residents able to register for evacuation if they wished to leave. The ships loaded with passengers and left the town Friday morning. HMAS Choules and MV Sycamore arrived at Mallacoota, cut off by out-of-control bushfires, on January 2, with residents able to register for evacuation if they wished to leave. The ships loaded with passengers and left the town Friday morning.
Sycamore docked at the Port of Hastings, in Western Port, on Saturday morning, after nearly 20 hours at sea. Choules, carrying most of the 1000 people evacuated, is expected to arrive Saturday afternoon. Sycamore docked at the Port of Hastings, in Western Port, on Saturday morning, after nearly 20 hours at sea. Choules, carrying most of the 1,000 people evacuated, is expected to arrive Saturday afternoon.
“The embarkation process started at around 8am, with people being moved from the community centre to the pier by buses provided by community members, and then moved across to the two ships using five landing craft embarked in Choules,” Choules’s commanding officer, Commander Scott Houlihan, said. “The embarkation process started at around 8am, with people being moved from the community centre to the pier by buses provided by community members, and then moved across to the two ships using five landing craft embarked in Choules”, Choules’s commanding officer, Commander Scott Houlihan said.
“Some 1000 people were welcomed on-board, and by early evening we had completed the embarkation and were underway heading towards Western Port.” “Some 1,000 people were welcomed on board, and by early evening we had completed the embarkation and were underway heading towards Western Port.”
In addition to the human passengers, the navy vessels have also evacuated 135 dogs, several cats, a rabbit, and even a pet bird.In addition to the human passengers, the navy vessels have also evacuated 135 dogs, several cats, a rabbit, and even a pet bird.
“The general spirit among our guests has been one of appreciation mixed with relief to get away from the devastation, and the heavy blanket of smoke that has engulfed the region,” Choules’s executive officer Lieutenant Commander Arron Convery, said. “The general spirit among our guests has been one of appreciation mixed with relief to get away from the devastation, and the heavy blanket of smoke that has engulfed the region”, Choules’s executive officer Lieutenant Commander Arron Convery said.
“Of course, there was some level of worry, but there were many hugs of appreciation throughout the day.”“Of course, there was some level of worry, but there were many hugs of appreciation throughout the day.”
The ships will return to Mallacoota once passengers have disembarked. While flying in the smoke-stricken region remains difficult, federal member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the military had also evacuated people out of Mallacoota on a Spartan aircraft on Thursday night.The ships will return to Mallacoota once passengers have disembarked. While flying in the smoke-stricken region remains difficult, federal member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the military had also evacuated people out of Mallacoota on a Spartan aircraft on Thursday night.
“We’ve had people getting out of Mallacoota airlifted out who are vulnerable, super sick, or ill or injured with the Black Hawk helicopters,” Chester said. “We’ve had people getting out of Mallacoota airlifted out who are vulnerable, super sick, or ill or injured with the Black Hawk helicopters”, Chester said.
“It’s a mass relocation of a nature which is completely unprecedented in Gippsland’s history.”“It’s a mass relocation of a nature which is completely unprecedented in Gippsland’s history.”
Defence was also able to move 10,000 litres of fuel ashore, replenishing two service stations in the town. About 3000 people remain in Mallacoota. The town remains cut off by bushfires, which could burn for weeks. Defence was also able to move 10,000 litres of fuel ashore, replenishing two service stations in the town. About 3,000 people remain in Mallacoota. The town remains cut off by bushfires, which could burn for weeks.
Mike Bowers is also on the ground in the Snowys. He says the wind gusts are now up to 60km, which doesn’t bode well.Mike Bowers is also on the ground in the Snowys. He says the wind gusts are now up to 60km, which doesn’t bode well.
Back to the Snowys. I’ve just spoken to the Adaminaby RFS captain, Glen Squire, who has just come back from a run around the fire grounds. There’s multiple blazes burning only a few kilometres from where I am just north of town, and he’s concerned that as the wind from the north-west continues to pick up – and it’s really blowing now – they’ll converge into one.Back to the Snowys. I’ve just spoken to the Adaminaby RFS captain, Glen Squire, who has just come back from a run around the fire grounds. There’s multiple blazes burning only a few kilometres from where I am just north of town, and he’s concerned that as the wind from the north-west continues to pick up – and it’s really blowing now – they’ll converge into one.
“The issue we have is that a lot of the timber around here is mountain ash, which is really unpredictable”, he told me.“The issue we have is that a lot of the timber around here is mountain ash, which is really unpredictable”, he told me.
A bit further up the road from where I am, the paddocks give way to that heavy timber. Squire tells me there’s a bunch of property owners in there who have refused to leave, and he’s very worried about them.A bit further up the road from where I am, the paddocks give way to that heavy timber. Squire tells me there’s a bunch of property owners in there who have refused to leave, and he’s very worried about them.
“It’s not spotting right now but of the wind picks up a bit more it might be a different story”, he said. “She’s starting to get a bit of colour about her now. It’s only about two kilometres (from where we’re standing).”“It’s not spotting right now but of the wind picks up a bit more it might be a different story”, he said. “She’s starting to get a bit of colour about her now. It’s only about two kilometres (from where we’re standing).”
I asked him if he’s concerned about the town itself: “Shit yeah”, he says.I asked him if he’s concerned about the town itself: “Shit yeah”, he says.
Local fire crews have been working on containment lines for weeks but there’s so many burning around them and the wind is so unpredictable that it’s hard to be certain about what might happen later in the day.Local fire crews have been working on containment lines for weeks but there’s so many burning around them and the wind is so unpredictable that it’s hard to be certain about what might happen later in the day.
It’s hard to believe that the NSW cops would have to issue a statement warning people not to steal other people’s things during a bushfire emergency but circumstances are such that the statement has been issued.It’s hard to believe that the NSW cops would have to issue a statement warning people not to steal other people’s things during a bushfire emergency but circumstances are such that the statement has been issued.
In the statement that shouldn’t have to have been issued but was, sadly, the state emergency operations controller, deputy commissioner, Gary Worboys, said both uniformed and plain-clothes police are already patrolling fire affected areas – and they have aerial surveillance support.In the statement that shouldn’t have to have been issued but was, sadly, the state emergency operations controller, deputy commissioner, Gary Worboys, said both uniformed and plain-clothes police are already patrolling fire affected areas – and they have aerial surveillance support.
Gary Worboys:Gary Worboys:
In the southern highlands of NSW.In the southern highlands of NSW.
I mentioned earlier today the national security committee of cabinet has been meeting in Canberra this morning. Scott Morrison is due to speak to reporters in about 15 minutes.I mentioned earlier today the national security committee of cabinet has been meeting in Canberra this morning. Scott Morrison is due to speak to reporters in about 15 minutes.
Inspired, and we could use a bit of inspiration right now.Inspired, and we could use a bit of inspiration right now.
Some more news from Victoria, where the situation is moving fast. There has been an update to an emergency warning for people near the Goongerah fire, which is on the Victoria-NSW border.Some more news from Victoria, where the situation is moving fast. There has been an update to an emergency warning for people near the Goongerah fire, which is on the Victoria-NSW border.
People living in the Upper Snowy have been told it is too late to leave. The fire there, which is south of Bendoc and moving north towards the NSW border, is now threatening lives and homes. “Leaving now would be deadly,” the alert says.People living in the Upper Snowy have been told it is too late to leave. The fire there, which is south of Bendoc and moving north towards the NSW border, is now threatening lives and homes. “Leaving now would be deadly,” the alert says.
The Princes Highway is now closed from Lake Tyers road, near Lakes Entrance to NSW border, a 200km stretch of road.The Princes Highway is now closed from Lake Tyers road, near Lakes Entrance to NSW border, a 200km stretch of road.
Hello if you’ve just joined today’s live coverage of the bushfire emergency. I trust your fire plans are in place if you are in affected regions. This is not a drill.Hello if you’ve just joined today’s live coverage of the bushfire emergency. I trust your fire plans are in place if you are in affected regions. This is not a drill.
Here’s a quick summary of the main events this morning.Here’s a quick summary of the main events this morning.
Two more deaths have been confirmed this morning on Kangaroo Island. The Kangaroo Island fire has destroyed much of the Flinders Chase National Park. That fire remains at watch and act level.Two more deaths have been confirmed this morning on Kangaroo Island. The Kangaroo Island fire has destroyed much of the Flinders Chase National Park. That fire remains at watch and act level.
In Victoria, fires in the north-east are continuing to burn, and 28 people remain unaccounted for. The first evacuees from Mallacoota have arrived safely at Hastings.In Victoria, fires in the north-east are continuing to burn, and 28 people remain unaccounted for. The first evacuees from Mallacoota have arrived safely at Hastings.
In NSW, residents of large towns in the southern highlands have been advised to consider their need to be there. Residents of Alymerton, Braemar, Balaclava, Willow Vale, Mittagong, Welby along Wombeyan Caves Road and Joadja Road have been advised to relocate, according to local media.In NSW, residents of large towns in the southern highlands have been advised to consider their need to be there. Residents of Alymerton, Braemar, Balaclava, Willow Vale, Mittagong, Welby along Wombeyan Caves Road and Joadja Road have been advised to relocate, according to local media.
The deaths confirmed this morning in South Australia bring the fire-related death toll to 21 since October. There have been eight fatalities this week. The ABC says almost 450 homes have been lost on the south coast this week, taking the total number of homes destroyed in the state this bushfire season to more than 1,300.The deaths confirmed this morning in South Australia bring the fire-related death toll to 21 since October. There have been eight fatalities this week. The ABC says almost 450 homes have been lost on the south coast this week, taking the total number of homes destroyed in the state this bushfire season to more than 1,300.