All AGV members are encouraged to review the wealth of media, written submissions and the Royal Commission, the TRANSCRIPT of the lawyers "summing up" on THURSDAY/FRIDAY 2/3 July at royalcommission.vic.gov.au These statements will give a very strong indication as to what the Commissioners will be recommending in their interim report due 17th August, much of it relating to protection of human life, and the provision of EFFECTIVE emergency services.

If members are concerned that rapid climate change is putting the very survival of native forests under threat of annihilation in coming decades, then please communicate your concerns to all relevant policy working groups. Could it be that autumn fuel reduction burns using early 20th century protocols (ridge-top, north face of slopes, to simulate the effect of lightning strikes) may now be the only way to prevent annihilation of vast swathes during summer "blowup" mega-fires?  Vast tracts of Alpine Ash e. delicatensis are already gone forever, due to intense repeat fires within too short a time interval.
At the local government level, Greens are surely going to have to re-visit the concept of defendable space, and removal of flammable vegetation species from the vicinity of houses, sheds, other structures in the urban fringe. The Royal Commission has heard lots of good scientific evidence that low-oil species, especially deciduous European species can form a very effective barrier to both radiant heat and ember-attack near dwellings. The Wilson house survival meter, and the HILI (house ignition likelihood index) need to be understood and used for your own house to be made safer. Again please let relevant PWGs hear views direct from the membership in this regard.