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Fires ignite legal action
25 Sep 2003
Nine farming families are taking legal action against the NSW Government for bushfires which started in a national park. The families are seeking redress for damages that occurred when fires escaped from the Goobang National Park in central NSW in late 2001.
The move has received financial backing from the Australian Farmers' Fighting Fund, following an application on the group's behalf by the NSW Farmers' Association. NSWFF president Mal Peters said support from the fighting fund highlights the wide-ranging implications the case has for farmers in all states and territories. Apart from seeking damages, the Supreme Court action will also seek some clarification of the responsibilities of public land managers. Mr Peters stated that more hazard reduction in cooler months, proper maintenance of fire trails, adequate blacking out and patrolling of fires, and greater consultation with local fire-fighting volunteers would help minimise the risk to life and damage to property.
Weekly Times, 24/9/03, page 7.
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