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Wangary Bushfire Recommendations

On 18 December, 2007 the Deputy Coroner Anthony Schapel handed down his findings into the bushfires on the Lower Eyre Peninsula, known as the ‘Wangary Bushfires’.

The Minister for Emergency Services in response to the report requested the establishment of a working party, headed by Mr David Place, Commissioner of Fire and Emergencies, to examine and consider the Deputy Coroner’s recommendations.

Membership of the working party consisted of representatives from:

  • SA Fire and Emergency Services Commission (SAFECOM)
  • SA Country Fire Service (CFS)
  • SA Metropolitan Fire Service
  • SA State Emergency Service (SES)
  • South Australia Police
  • Department for Environment and Heritage
  • ForestrySA
  • Department of Primary Industries and Resources SA
  • Local Government Association
  • Office of Local Government
  • SA Farmers’ Federation
  • Department of Treasury and Finance
  • Attorney-General’s Department
  • Department for Transport Energy and Infrastructure
  • SA Country Fire Service Volunteers’ Association
  • Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation

The Working Party provided advice to Government and the Government has outlined its response to each of the 34 recommendations.

Any legislative changes required will be incorporated into the current work being progressed as part of the review of the Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005.

The implementation of non-legislative recommendations will continue to be co-ordinated by the Commissioner of Fire and Emergencies in conjunction with the Wangary Coronial Inquest Working Party representatives over the coming months.

The majority of the outstanding recommendations are anticipated to be completed before the next Fire Danger Season.

Hon Carmel Zollo MLC


Minister for Emergency Services


For more information, please contact:

David Place, Commissioner of Fire and Emergencies
Phone: 8463 4069
Email: bushfirerecommendations@safecom.sa.gov.au
Post: GPO Box 2706, Adelaide SA 5001

Ministerial Statement 2008 (pdf - 102Kb)

Government Response (pdf - 107Kb)

Wangary Findings Summary (pdf - 110Kb)

Wangary Coronial Investigation Findings - Full Document (pdf - 16Mb)