A lesson to be learned.

When Cyclone Tracy ravaged Darwin on Christmas day, 1974 it was one of Australia's major national disasters. Seventy one citizens died and over eighty percent of homes were destroyed. As a result the city was evacuated and a commission of enquiry held to plan rebuilding with the aim of ensuring that this level of destruction could never happen again.

The tragedy that struck Victoria in the past few days raises a similar set of questions. Summer bushfires are a natural phenomenon of this continent and in particular topography seems to ensure that Victoria and South Australia are the focus of extremely intense fires.

In Darwin a new building code ensured houses were fitted with upgraded bracing to withstand cyclonic winds and a host of further detail regarding materials used and site improvements made for highly improved homes capable of withstanding the extremes of nature.

A similar enquiry is needed in the fire ravaged areas of Victoria and South Australia before the first rebuilding brick is laid. Both states have had previous destructive fires - and now is the opportunity to have a plan in place to ensure that the fires that will eventually occur in the future do not create the death and destruction we have just witnessed.

Unfortunately this will mean the loss of some civil liberties. Some sites may be just too dangerous to be considered for rebuilding. House designs may not please everyone but the factors that make them fire resistant are more important than aesthetics.

It may be that villages that have been destroyed should not be rebuilt on that site. If the topography surrounding them creates a wind tunnel effect to concentrate a fire storm then maybe the land should be resumed, and owners compensated by free land paid for by the government in a less dangerous location.

It is important that this opportunity be used to try and minimise future death and destruction by fire. We did it successfully in Darwin after 1974. Now is the time for both state government's to act - with full backing by the Federal government.

No rebuilding should be permitted until that plan is in place !