I think it is totally unacceptable that we need to ever experience this again.

Governments have the power to protect us but they have not done so.

We need strategic fire breaks on the outskirts of rural townships.

Forest fuel near townships must be reduced by back-burning.

Overhanging trees must be removed back from regional roads.

Every township must also have a fire safe haven assembly area where the community can flee to for protection.

No-one is suggesting that the fire breaks need to be ugly scared land, they can be planted with grass and have less flammable indigenous trees.

The State government is happy to take the stamp duty and the council levies.

They then pass the buck.

I contacted (Myall Lakes MP) Stephen Bromhead on this matter, he claims it is not the responsibility of State government and his only advice was for me to contact MidCoast Council.

I also could not help to notice that he makes no comment at all about future fire prevention in his latest newsletter.

I have reported overhanging trees growing on council land.

Nothing done.

It appears that the State government attempts to prevent people from dying in fires, however they are relaxed if "only" your house is burnt to the ground.

It is time for regional Australia to demand respect from this naive State government for our safety and respect for our dwellings.