The Good Oil by Rod Brown *
We live in Kambah, on the south west edge of Canberra, overlooking the Brindabella Ranges. The Murrumbidgee River is three kilometres down the road and the Mount Stromlo Observatory used to be just over the first range. The 18 January bushfire jumped the Murrumbidgee. The locomotive roar was frightening, as were the sparks and burning leaves cascading around us. The fire was within 100 metres of our house as we evacuated with the family photos and the labrador. As we found out later, the green fairways of the adjoining golf course saved our house – but the flames had hurtled onwards to the suburbs of Chapman, Duffy and Holder where there was no buffer.
Today there is utter devastation. The Chief Minister said we would have needed 800 fire trucks to save the city, and I believe him. As I write (21 January), the cost estimates are $100 million, but this must surely climb. The national capital will never be quite the same again. Apart from the huge housing damage, virtually all Canberra’s pine plantations have gone, together with the tourism infrastructure along our main waterway.
This bushfire, and its forerunner 12 months ago, are clear signs that the current environmental policy settings are unsustainable. There is a major message for any Local Government area that has forest adjoining urban areas. Come and have a look – you cannot fully comprehend it from TV footage.
The emotional and psychological impact has been enormous. It will pave the way for bold new steps and major land use changes. It has uncovered a great community spirit too. Canberra is a microcosm of the nation – we come from all parts of the country, and mostly look at things nationally – which probably makes Canberra unique. We cop criticism for lacking soul and living in an ivory tower. This is why we have been extremely touched by the arrival of fire brigades from right across NSW and even Queensland (the Victorians had their own problems, of course), and I think the PM’s genuine show of concern for those affected means that we have forgiven him for taking the Kirribilli option. (The Lodge is an old fashioned dump anyway!)
The blame game has started. But the most sensible comment I’ve heard was from an old cockie down the road. He had anticipated the fire, penned his 40 head of cattle where there was no grass, and the fire went around and over them! He was cranky that the spot fires in the Brindabellas hadn’t been nipped in the bud within hours, instead of days. He said “the 1952 fires taught us to get in quick – a handful of blokes could get in there and stop ’em before they get out of hand.“
Recriminations are pointless without solutions. Given that fire safety is a local issue, could a group of Councils take the lead by suggesting to the Commonwealth and States that they buy three Eriksson Skycranes (‘Elvis’ style choppers), or refit RAAF Chinook helicopters? If they baulk, there is no reason why Local Government couldn’t do it themselves, provided long term contracts were in place. Another option would be to get a company involved. The need is to have sufficient capability to deploy resources anywhere at short notice. They should be based at one point to save on maintenance – perhaps at Albury, Nowra, Richmond, Sale, or Canberra. The cost-benefit sums would be very impressive.
R&D Start funding
Anyway, on another important matter, the R&D Start program is one of the few sources of substantial government funding. The program stalled last year because a bit too much money had moved too soon! Things are back in order, and the program has reopened – it continues to focus on Small – Medium Enterprises (SMEs) undertaking and commercialising R&D.
Grants and/or loans of up to 50 per cent of project costs are awarded on a competitive basis. Some $180 million per annum is available.Projects can range in size from less than $100k to millions. Selection criteria includes management capability of the applicant; project’s commercial potential; innovation and the capacity of the company to undertake the project; national benefits; and whether funding will ensure the project can proceed.
What has this got to do with Local Government? Well, economic development professionals in Local Government circles should have a very good idea of the go ahead companies that can provide a strong investment and employment base for industries in the region and that would benefit from the R&D Start program. It is important that these companies have the opportunity to access this assistance. The Program has been successful in lifting numerous companies onto a higher level.
Many good companies are simply not aware of this assistance, or cannot be bothered with the red tape involved. Well, a group of enterprising consultants here in Canberra know the ropes in terms of what is possible and what is not, and therefore have a 90 per cent plus success rate in accessing these grants. If you know of companies that would benefit, please contact me and I will refer them on to my colleagues. See my email details below.
* Rod Brown’s Canberra based consultancy group, Australian Project Developments Pty Ltd, specialises in industry/regional development and government liaison. For further information telephone (02) 6231 7261 or email apd@orac.net.au
