The horrendous fires that have razed many parts of Victoria have highlighted issues surrounding bushfires in Australia, especially in the increasing threats posed by climate change.

 

As Australia’s national inland university, Charles Sturt University (CSU) has a number of researchers and commentators regarding various issues surrounding bushfires:

 

Adjunct lecturer in fire investigation, Ross Brogan, with the Australian Graduate School of Policing, is a former fire investigator with NSW Fire Brigades.

 

Expert and lecturer in emergency management, Mr Ian Manock, can speak on emergency management during natural disasters. He is currently attending the Australian Disaster Conference now being held in Canberra, together with his colleague and CSU PhD student Valerie Ingham, who has completed research on decision making processes during major fires.

 

Strategic Professor of Integrated Environmental Management, Allan Curtis, with the Institute for Land, Water and Society has experience researching the social and economic impacts of major events, including bushfires. His recent research examining rural property turnover highlights the potential for planning policies that contribute to greater suburbanisation of the bush, which increases the probability for bushfires leading to loss of life and property.  Allan experienced the Canberra fires during 2003 and his rural property at Rosewhite was affected by the current fires in north east Victoria. Colleague and PhD student Emily Sharp is investigating the role of trust in agencies as a factor affecting bushfire preparation, response and recovery. Her research includes the 2006/7 fires in Victoria and NSW.

 

Professor in Water Management and Policy, Kath Bowmer, with the Institute for Land, Water and Society is an international expert on water policy and management, particularly in the Murray Darling Basin. Professor Bowmer can comment on the effects of bushfires on water conservation and management.

 

Senior lecturer in plant anatomy, Dr Geoff Burrows, with the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences, can discuss how Australian trees, especially eucalypts, have adapted to living with and regenerating after bushfires. 

 

Professor of Landscape Ecology and Dean of Faculty of Science, Nick Klomp, can speak on the roles of bushfires in the Australian landscape and its effects on the ecology.