Bushfire deaths `blamed on power assets`

A submission to the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission suggests about 70 per cent
of deaths on Black Saturday were linked to failures in power infrastructure.
At a hearing on Wednesday, barrister Tim Tobin, QC, cited evidence given in closed
court by Detective Superintendent Paul Hollowood that attributed the high percentage
of deaths to failed electricity assets.
Several of the February 7 bushfires - including the devastating Kilmore East fire -
are thought to have been ignited by fallen power lines.
Mr Tobin, representing individuals and businesses in a class action against
electricity company SP AusNet, told the commission the majority of Victorian fires
in 1969, 1977 and 1983 were also caused by the failure of electricity assets such as
power lines and poles.
He questioned Country Fire Authority (CFA) deputy chief Steven Warrington whether
any planning had been undertaken before February 7 to protect electricity assets
"which have proved to be the major cause of death in fires over the last 40 years".
Mr Warrington said following the 1983 Ash Wednesday fires the CFA had changed its
focus from recovery to preparedness.
He said he personally had worked with the energy industry to mitigate risks "as best
as possible", including inspection of significant power poles and regulation
changes.
The first special hearing of the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission was held in
private on Wednesday to examine the circumstances of the deaths of seven people in
bunkers on February 7.
It was the first in a series of commission hearings into the deaths of the 173
people who perished in the Black Saturday bushfires.
Counsel assisting the commission Peter Rozen said the hearings - some to be held
publicly and others in closed court - would examine the impacts of the controversial
"stay or go" policy.
Mr Rozen told the commission 113 people had died inside homes during the February
fires.
The hearings will also examine the decision-making of those who died and their
particular vulnerabilities.
The first hearings will examine the deaths of people in the Beechworth, Bendigo and
Churchill fires, while later hearings will examine deaths in Kilmore East and
Murrindindi fires.
No family members of the deceased will be called to the hearings but they may appear
if they wish.
Det Supt Hollowood, who heads the Victoria Police Phoenix Task Force investigating
the deaths, told the commission that none of his evidence in the hearings would
compromise police investigations.
"None of the bushfire investigations have actually been concluded," Det Supt
Hollowood said.
The examination of the deaths would not be considered a substitute for any coronial
inquests, the commission heard.
The hearings will continue on Thursday.