The Greens believe:
1. bushfire has been an integral part of the Australian environment for thousands of years
2. global warming is likely to increase both the severity and frequency of bushfires in the ACT region
3. the risks associated with living in a bushfire-prone landscape need to be recognised and anticipated in urban planning and infrastructure decisions
4. fire management plans should incorporate measures to protect biodiversity and be consistent with ecosystem maintenance
5. community awareness about bushfire hazard, fire risk and arson is an essential part of any fire management strategy
6. a strong ACT Government response, including an appropriately resourced and coordinated firefighting service, is essential to protect both human life and the natural environment.

The ACT Greens want:
1. an ACT community aware of and prepared for the risks of living in a bushfire prone landscape
2. bushfire management strategies that preserve ecosystem functioning and biodiversity to the greatest extent possible
3. bushfire services to be adequately resourced, coordinated and supported to meet the needs of the ACT community
4. firefighting strategies and activities to be informed by the best available scientific research and associated data, and to use the best available techniques and technologies.

The ACT Greens support:
1. compulsory adequate environmental assessment prior to major work or activity, in accordance with a bushfire management strategy
2. reviewing bushfire management strategies to incorporate measures to protect biodiversity and ecosystems
3. adopting new developments in firefighting techniques which reduce the need for new fire roads and trails in bush areas
4. developing fire management plans for all ACT parks and conservation areas, and making them publicly available
5. resourcing volunteer fire brigades to conduct community education
6. funding for research into biodiversity, anti-arson education and early intervention programs
7. reinstating community fire-watch programs
8. amending radio broadcast laws to enable emergency service warnings and other essential information to interrupt radio programming during bushfire emergencies
9. including information on the ecological impact of bushfire management techniques, and mitigation actions, in basic training for firefighting professionals and volunteers
10. improving coordination between, and holding regular joint training for, ACT and NSW volunteer and professional firefighting services and personnel
11. compensation for volunteer members of the ACT Rural Fire Service for loss of pay during extended firefighting activities
12. clarifying areas of responsibility for the health, safety and welfare of volunteer firefighters, and ensuring all practices are subject to WorkCover approval
13. adequate consultation with volunteer firefighting services in developing fire management strategies
14. informing residents and business operators in new urban developments in bushfire-prone areas about fire risk
15. ensuring new developments are not sited in areas difficult or dangerous to protect from bushfires, or native vegetation to mitigate bushfire risk
16. extending the coverage of fire permit restrictions from formally declared bushfire season to any time of significant risk
17. establishing an ongoing research program into the ecological effects of bushfire, to ensure that fire management programs are compatible with ecological sustainability and maintenance of biodiversity.

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