Agenda of Special Community, Culture and Events Committee Meeting

Item No. 2.1

Agenda (Open Portion)

Special Community, Culture and Events Committee Meeting

Page 6

21/11/2016

REPORT TITLE: 1967 Bushfires - 50 year commemoration reception

REPORT PROVIDED BY: Manager Community and Cultural Programs

Director Community Development

1. Report Purpose and Community Benefit

1.1. This report is seeking the Council’s approval to host an evening civic function in the Town Hall ballroom on 7 February 2017 as the City of Hobart’s commemoration of the Black Tuesday bushfires event that occurred on 7 February 1967, and resulted in 62 lives lost, 900 injured and thousands of people being homeless.

1.2. It is considered that a civic function that recognises the contribution made by the community through a broad range of events being held across Southern Tasmania is an appropriate event to commemorate the 50^th year anniversary.

2. Report Summary

2.1. The Black Tuesday bushfires event occurred on 7 February 1967. 110 separate fire fronts burnt through 2,640 square kilometres (652,360 acres) of land in Southern Tasmania within five hours. There was extensive damage to agricultural property, parks areas as well as public infrastructure, properties and many small towns.

2.2. The worst of the fires was the Hobart Fire which encroached upon the City of Hobart. The fires claimed 62 lives in a single day and there were 900 injured and thousands of people were homeless as a result of the fires.

2.2.1. The total damage amounted to $40,000,000 in 1967 Australian dollar values. In terms of both loss of property and loss of life, the Southern Tasmanian 1967 bushfire is considered one of the worst disasters to have occurred in Australia.

2.2.2. Many in the Tasmanian community can still relate to a story of the 1967 bushfires based on their first-hand experience of that bushfire disaster day, while others have had stories passed down to them through older relatives. There are numerous tales of people’s escape as well as the stories of the workers and volunteers who responded to this crisis. Within these stories are recurring themes of recovery, community connectedness, resilience and survival.

2.3. Due to the significance of the anniversary, there are many commemorative events and activities being held across Southern Tasmania around the time of the anniversary. Lesley King, Community Development Officer from the Tasmania Fire Service has been coordinating a group of 60 stakeholders from groups, councils, services, organisations to meet and discuss their events/activities to commemorate the ‘67 fires.

2.4. It is considered that an evening civic function, hosted by the Lord Mayor in the Town Hall ballroom to be held on 7 February 2017, the day of the anniversary, would be a way for the City of Hobart to publicly commemorate the tragedy, and to acknowledge the efforts being undertaken by the community to recognise this important anniversary.

2.4.1. Lesley King has advised that in light of the engagement she has had with the community on the commemoration that similar to the commemoration of the ANZACS every year in April and the recent 100 year anniversary of WWI, a civic function is an appropriate way to acknowledge the significance of the event to Tasmanians, honour the lives that were lost and to celebrate the survivors and the recovery 50 years on. An email regarding the proposed civic function is shown at Attachment A to this report.

2.5. A civic function in the Town Hall ballroom is seen as particularly appropriate as during the 1967 fires, the Hobart Town Hall became an emergency centre for people who had lost their homes, with the City Hall the first point for casualties.

2.6. It is also intended that there would be opportunities to highlight some of the other commemorative activities through showcasing some activities at the reception.

2.7. It is anticipated that there would be a maximum of 200 guests invited to the reception.

2.8. It is noted that there are other activities planned during the day of the anniversary so an evening function is proposed.

2.9. The Council may wish to consider whether they feel it is appropriate to serve alcoholic refreshments at this function, noting that a civic function held of an evening would usually involve the serving of alcoholic beverages as part of the refreshments.

3. Recommendation

That:

1. An evening civic function to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of the Black Tuesday bushfires event that occurred on 7 February 1967 be held on Tuesday 7 February 2017 in the Town Hall ballroom for a maximum of 200 guests.

2. If approved, the event be funded from the 2017/2018 allocation of $15,000 provided in the Annual Plan for Council receptions.

3. The Council give consideration as to whether it is appropriate to serve alcoholic refreshments at this function.

4. Background

4.1. The Black Tuesday bushfires event occurred on 7 February 1967. 110 separate fire fronts burnt through 2,640 square kilometres (652,360 acres) of land in Southern Tasmania within five hours. There was extensive damage to agricultural property, parks areas as well as public infrastructure, properties and many small towns.

4.2. The worst of the fires was the Hobart Fire which encroached upon the City of Hobart. The fires claimed 62 lives in a single day and there were 900 injured and thousands of people were homeless as a result of the fires. There were 408 buildings destroyed with the Southern Tasmanian 1967 bushfire being considered one of the worst disasters to have occurred in Australia.

4.3. The Tasmania Fire Service has been coordinating a wide spread community project entitled the ‘67 Bushfires Story Booth Tour’. This project is a community collection of people’s stories recorded in the Bushfire-ready Neighbourhood’s video booth throughout 2016.

4.3.1. The Tasmania Fire Service has also been facilitating meetings of a broad range of community groups, organisations and councils to identify commemorative activities.

4.4. The City of Hobart will host a page on the Council’s website that will list all events being held in Southern Tasmania to commemorate the 50year anniversary.

4.5. The City through the Cultural Programs area has also been collaborating with the Tasmania Fire Service to install images relating to the 1967 Bushfires on the Soapbox Billboards in Mathers Place over the anniversary period. This will provide the City with a further opportunity to publically recognise the significance of the anniversary.

4.6. It is considered that an evening civic function, hosted by the Lord Mayor in the Town Hall ballroom to be held on 7 February 2017, the day of the anniversary, would be a way for the City of Hobart to publicly commemorate the tragedy, and to acknowledge the efforts being undertaken by the community to recognise this important anniversary.

4.7. It is also thought that the reception could be used as an opportunity to highlight the extensive work currently being undertaken to mitigate bushfire risks to the City.

4.8. An evening civic function in the Town Hall ballroom is seen as particularly appropriate as during the 1967 fires, the Hobart Town Hall became an emergency centre for people who had lost their homes, with the City Hall the first point for casualties.

4.9. Lesley King from the Tasmania Fire Service has confirmed that in line with the other commemorative activities, the hosting of a civic function during the evening of the anniversary would be seen as appropriate.

4.10. It is intended that there would be opportunities to highlight some of the other commemorative activities through showcasing these at the civic function.

4.11. It is anticipated that there would be up to a maximum of 200 guests invited to the civic function comprising community groups and organisations involved in commemorative activities, Tasmania Fire Service representatives, and representatives from current volunteer fire brigades and community groups that support our fire mitigation and preparedness activities.

5. Proposal and Implementation

5.1. If the proposal to host an evening civic function on 7 February 2017 is approved, Council officers would work closely with the Tasmania Fire Service and the community groups and organisations undertaking commemorative activities to arrange an appropriate function.

5.2. It is intended that representatives from the community groups and volunteers currently supporting the City in terms of fire preparedness and management would also be invited to the reception.

6. Strategic Planning and Policy Considerations

6.1. This project aligns with the Capital City Strategic Plan 2015 - 2025 particularly Goal 4 - Strong, Safe and Healthy Communities, in particular:

“Strategic Objective 4.1 - Community connectedness and participation realises the cultural and social potential of the community.

Strategic Objective 4.3 - Build community resilience, public health and safety.”

6.2. This project also aligns with the Social Inclusion Strategy 2014 - 2019.

7. Financial Implications

7.1. Funding Source and Impact on Current Year Operating Result

7.1.1. The civic function would be funded from the 2017/2018 allocation of $15,000 provided in the Annual Plan for Council receptions.

7.1.2. If there were to be 200 guests attending the civic function, the expected cost would be approximately $6,000.

7.2. Impact on Future Years’ Financial Result

7.2.1. There would be no impact on future years’ financial result.

7.3. Asset Related Implications

7.3.1. Not applicable.

8. Legal, Risk and Legislative Considerations

8.1. There are no legal, risk or legislative considerations associated with this proposal.

9. Social and Customer Considerations

9.1. The 1967 Black Tuesday bushfires had a catastrophic affect on the Hobart municipality and its community with significant loss of life and property. It is considered that the 50year anniversary will be the last opportunity for community members who were directly impacted by the fire to have an opportunity to publicly tell their stories and have their history of this tragic event recognised.

9.2. It is anticipated that there is a community expectation that as one of the worst affected areas, the City of Hobart will undertake a commemorative activity to recognise the 50 year anniversary.

9.3. It is considered important to recognise and acknowledge the activities being undertaken by the community in commemorating this anniversary.

9.4. It is also considered that the civic function would also provide a good opportunity to promote the extensive work the City has undertaken in terms of bushfire preparedness.

10. Marketing and Media

10.1. The City of Hobart will be hosting a page on the Council’s website to provide details of all events and activities to be held in Southern Tasmania. It is considered that this provides an opportunity for the City to demonstrate community support and leadership.

10.2. It is considered that the civic function will also be a good promotional opportunity for the work undertaken in bushfire preparedness.

10.2.1. There will be an opportunity to promote this event through the media.

11. Community and Stakeholder Engagement

11.1. Lesley Fox from the Tasmania Fire Service, Group Manager Open Space and Group Manager Executive and Economic Development have been consulted in the preparation of this report.

12. Delegation

12.1. This item is delegated to the Council for deliberation.

As signatory to this report, I certify that, pursuant to Section 55(1) of the Local Government Act 1993, I hold no interest, as referred to in Section 49 of the Local Government Act 1993, in matters contained in this report.

Kimbra Parker

Manager Community and Cultural Programs

Philip Holliday

Director Community Development

Date: 17 November 2016

File Reference: F16/127784; S13-020-04

Attachment a: Email from Lesley King, Tasmania Fire Service ⇩

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