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The ACT Coroner's Bushfire Enquiry into the Canberra Firestorm in January 2003 that claimed 500 mainly urban homes and 4 lives makes sobering reading.
Evidence was given that 50% of the homes destroyed "in the suburbs came from ember attack directly out of the neighbouring forests". (p369 Chapter 5)
In the Coroners report reference is made to evidence from "CSIRO world leader in understanding bushfire", Mr Justin Leonard, which "showed that houses with vents that were not protected by a metal mesh with holes smaller that 2 mm were more likely to be destroyed during a bush fire". (p372 Chapter 5)
Of the Coroner's 73 recommendations those numbered 60 to 64 pertain to Buildings and Gardens. No 61 has far reaching implications. The Coroner recommended "that the ACT Government consider taking measures to implement the provisions of Australian Standard 3959, Construction of Building in Bushfire Prone Areas, for the ACT urban area". (p233 Section II)
Following the Black Saturday Bushfires of February 2009 the Victorian Government has enacted legislation which in effect applies the Coroner's recommendation 61 to all homes to be built in Victoria.
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