Victorian bushfires prompt national warning system
The loss of 173 lives in Victoria’s February 7 bushfires has led to the formation of a national emergency warning system ahead of the next bushfire season.
The Victorian Government last week released a selective tender to ensure the system is in place before summer.
Premier John Brumby says the tender requires telcos Optus and Telstra to deliver a national telephone-based warning system that will alert Australians in the event of a life-threatening emergency.
“After consultation with all states and territories and the Commonwealth it was decided that Optus and Telstra, who collectively own 98% of the fixed-line infrastructure, were best placed to manage the risk of system overload, the complex requirements and the tight timelines of this project,” Mr Brumby said.
Latest Insurance Council of Australia figures put the approximate number of claims received by the industry at 10,040 at an estimated insurable cost of $1.07 billion.
The Victorian Government last week released a selective tender to ensure the system is in place before summer.
Premier John Brumby says the tender requires telcos Optus and Telstra to deliver a national telephone-based warning system that will alert Australians in the event of a life-threatening emergency.
“After consultation with all states and territories and the Commonwealth it was decided that Optus and Telstra, who collectively own 98% of the fixed-line infrastructure, were best placed to manage the risk of system overload, the complex requirements and the tight timelines of this project,” Mr Brumby said.
Latest Insurance Council of Australia figures put the approximate number of claims received by the industry at 10,040 at an estimated insurable cost of $1.07 billion.