A national bushfire warning system under development that would see consistent, easy to understand fire danger ratings across states is urgently needed, according to the Bushfire Royal Commission.
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The Royal Commission released its interim observations on Monday after it delayed the final report due to time constraints caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
It comes a week after the NSW independent inquiry released its own report featuring 76 recommendations for future fire seasons.
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The Royal Commission has not yet released official recommendations, but the report highlights areas it expects to address when the final report is handed down at the end of October.
290 witnesses have given evidence, which is still being considered along with over 1700 submissions including those from local government and community groups in the Snowy Valleys, where nearly 200 homes were lost.
The interim report calls for greater coordination across multiple levels of government, and suggests the National Cabinet formed in response to COVID-19 could create a blueprint for the management of future natural disasters.
Confusion across border communities affected multiple aspects of the response, according to the report.
A national warning system is currently being designed by the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council to create consistency in fire alerts between states, but the report said the work had "taken too long" and finalising the project must be a priority.
The Royal Commission is also considering the value of replacing state Fires Near Me apps with a national one to avoid those on the border needing to download and familiarise themselves with multiple apps to monitor fires in their area.
Evacuation centres were also impacted by cross-border confusion, and there is "an opportunity for more work to be done" on planning evacuation options ahead of a fire.
Emergency management minister David Littleproud said the federal government would review the observations in the report closely, and work was already underway to address the lessons learned from the 2019-2020 fires.
"We have invested more than $2 billion to help communities recover from last summer's bushfires and have already committed significant funding to better prepare for the future including in bushfire research, telecommunications and aerial firefighting," he said.
"In addition, we are reviewing disaster recovery funding arrangements to deliver a more equitable approach for all Australians."
The Royal Commission will conclude on October 28.
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