dailynewsnblog
Key events
Climate change is caused “more volatile weather periods” across New South Wales, the Premier says.
“Can I just say that unfortunately we’re likely to have more volatile weather periods in the years ahead due to the changing climate, and I would love to to say that we’re out of the woods or the worst is behind us, but the truth is that’s not the case,” Minns said.
The Premier said it was important people act on their fire plans and monitor all channels of information to keep across the situation.
Climate change has been caused by the mass burning of oil, gas and coal which in turn has been forcing a chemical change in the atmosphere and is disrupting stable weather systems. The bushfires come while Australia is just beginning summer.
Minns was asked about the “irony” that the bushfires have come just as his government have announced it may keep the Eraring coal fired power plant operating beyond 2027 – and connection the Premier appeared to reject.
That would be pretty cynical.
The Premier said the state was in the process of transition its energy grid with 85% of the state’s power coming from coal “a few years ago” now down to 65% and “dropping”. The Premier said there is “billions of dollars coming into the grid” to develop “massive” new renewable energy projects.
I think it’s consistent, but it is not an easy path. It is a difficult thing to pull off, but we’re not for turning. It is hugely important for New South Wales.
High winds on Saturday caused the fires to spread, including embers jumping a one kilometre stretch of water, Minns said but Fire and Rescue NSW and RFS firefighters have been able to contain it to stop the loss of additional homes.
This was a fast-moving, very dangerous fire in a residential area and we owe a huge debt of gratitude to members of the RFS, many of whom are volunteer whose put their lives on the line and did an amazing public service for this state and we have a huge debt of gratitude to them.
For more, read The Guardian’s previous reporting on the bushfires burning across the state:
Those who lost their homes in bushfires on the mid and central New South Wales coast will receive assistance from the federal and state government.
Speaking to the ABC on Sunday morning, NSW Premier Chris Minns said small businesses, primary producers, logistics and transport companies and local councils engaged in clean up efforts will be able to access support.
Hardship grants will also be available for those who are uninsured who have lost their homes.
We know that at least 12 homes have been destroyed on the central Coast but that number is likely to be higher. We are devastated for those families. Obviously that’s the worst news imaginable in the run-up to Christmas, exactly what they didn’t need and a reminder of how devastating these bushfires can be.
The Premier said that number is expected to rise as the situation on the ground becomes clear, with reports up to 16 houses as the situation on the ground have been lost.
Minns said support services are working to engage with those effect and local councils to keep roads open.
The good news is that transport has been reconnected so that line running from the Central Coast to Newcastle and Sydney will be back and operational as of today which is important tore transport and logistics, but we will roll it from.
Good morning
Welcome to another Sunday morning Guardian live blog.
Disaster assistance will be made available to those in fire zones and people who do not have insurance after bushfires burning on the New South Wales Central Coast are reported to have destroyed up to 16 homes overnight. The announcement on Sunday morning comes as New South Wales premier Chris Minns said hot and windy conditions allowed the fire front to jump a one kilometre body of water.
The federal government has refused to repatriate Australian children from Syrian refugee camps despite the US warning that leaving them there raises the risk they will be radicalised and harmed. Australia has refused to issue the children with travel documents and passports despite an offer to facilitate their evacuation.
I’m Royce Kurmelovs and I’ll be taking the blog through the day.
With that, let’s get started …
