Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09MELBOURNE17
2009-02-02 05:44:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Melbourne
Cable title:
Cool Weather Eases Heat Threat in Victoria & South
how-toVZCZCXRO0400 RR RUEHPB RUEHPT DE RUEHBN #0017/01 0330544 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 020544Z FEB 09 FM AMCONSUL MELBOURNE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4867 INFO RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 3539 RUEHJA/AMEMBASSY JAKARTA 0051 RUEHPB/AMEMBASSY PORT MORESBY 0016 RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON 0106 RUEHPT/AMCONSUL PERTH 1517 RUEHDN/AMCONSUL SYDNEY 2056 RHMFIUU/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MELBOURNE 000017
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO SENV ENRG AS
SUBJECT: Cool Weather Eases Heat Threat in Victoria & South
Australia
Ref: Canberra 100
Summary
-------
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MELBOURNE 000017
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO SENV ENRG AS
SUBJECT: Cool Weather Eases Heat Threat in Victoria & South
Australia
Ref: Canberra 100
Summary
--------------
1. (SBU) Cooler temperatures in Victoria have eased the burden of
last week's heat wave (reftel). Though damage has been substantial,
brushfires have been brought largely under control and the state's
emergency response services are holding up well in the face of
increased human health demands. Temperatures over 105 degrees
continue in South Australia, but the state has been spared from
damaging brushfires and is managing other emergency health concerns
effectively. While Victoria's emergency services have responded
swiftly to the effects of the recent heat wave, shortcomings in
Melbourne's mass transit system are taking an increasing political
toll on the state government. End Summary.
Cool Weather Eases Threat to Victoria
--------------
2. (SBU) Brushfires in Victoria's southeast burned through
approximately 6,300 hectares of land and destroyed 29 houses between
January 30 and February 1. Police suspect that an arsonist
contributed to the blazes and an investigation is underway.
Victoria Emergency Management Center's Barry Vincent told post on
February 2 that cooler temperatures have eased the burden on the
650+ emergency personnel deployed to Victoria's Gippsland area and
fires have been brought under control. Weather reports estimate
temperatures in the mid to upper 80s for the week of February 2.
Lightning storms on February 2 have ignited several new fires on the
Victoria/New South Wales border; though these fires are also
reportedly being effectively managed.
3. (SBU) Chris James at the Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce
and Industry estimates the economic cost of heat wave in Victoria at
A$100 million (US$636 million). Approximately 25,000 homes in
Melbourne were without power for several hours on January 30 as
rolling blackouts attempted to mitigate spikes in electricity
consumption. According to press accounts, more than 1,300 train
services were cancelled during the week of January 26 due to damaged
tracks, faulty air conditioning or other heat-related incidents.
Pressure is mounting on Victorian Public Transportation Minister
Lynne Kosky as she continues to ask for patience during the
"extraordinary" heat wave.
4. (U) Since the heat wave commenced on January 28, Victoria's
emergency services have reportedly seen a 70 percent increase in
calls and have treated scores of people for heat-related illnesses.
Reports in the press have varied, but at least six people have died
due to effects of the heat wave. According to Barry Vincent,
Victoria has responded to increased human health demands by
establishing an integrated emergency operations center in order to
improve coordination between the state's various emergency response
centers.
Heat Wave Continues in South Australia
--------------
5. (SBU) Peter Scott of South Australia's State Emergency Service
(SES) told post on February 2 that the state continues to face 105+
degree Fahrenheit weather. While the state has now broken a
100-year heat record, South Australia has not seen significant
brushfires. According to Scott, other heat-related emergency
services such as responding to falling trees and electrical outages
have left volunteers working "flat out." South Australia, Scott
said, is accustomed to high temperatures and is well positioned to
continue to meet the challenges ahead. Temperatures are expected to
drop in South Australia to the high 90s by February 7.
Comment
--------------
6. (SBU) The state governments of South Australia and Victoria
continue to manage the impact of last week's heat wave. Brushfires
have been kept to a minimum in South Australia, and Victorian
firefighters were able to defend the key Latrobe Valley power line
which supplies more than 75 percent of Melbourne's power. While
emergency response teams have minimized the human cost of the recent
heat wave and resulting brushfires, the Victorian government has
lost significant political capital as shortcomings in Victoria's
already burdened public transport system have become evident.
Improving Melbourne's aging mass transit system is increasingly
becoming a political imperative and may figure prominently in the
MELBOURNE 00000017 002 OF 002
state elections scheduled for next year.
THURSTON
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO SENV ENRG AS
SUBJECT: Cool Weather Eases Heat Threat in Victoria & South
Australia
Ref: Canberra 100
Summary
--------------
1. (SBU) Cooler temperatures in Victoria have eased the burden of
last week's heat wave (reftel). Though damage has been substantial,
brushfires have been brought largely under control and the state's
emergency response services are holding up well in the face of
increased human health demands. Temperatures over 105 degrees
continue in South Australia, but the state has been spared from
damaging brushfires and is managing other emergency health concerns
effectively. While Victoria's emergency services have responded
swiftly to the effects of the recent heat wave, shortcomings in
Melbourne's mass transit system are taking an increasing political
toll on the state government. End Summary.
Cool Weather Eases Threat to Victoria
--------------
2. (SBU) Brushfires in Victoria's southeast burned through
approximately 6,300 hectares of land and destroyed 29 houses between
January 30 and February 1. Police suspect that an arsonist
contributed to the blazes and an investigation is underway.
Victoria Emergency Management Center's Barry Vincent told post on
February 2 that cooler temperatures have eased the burden on the
650+ emergency personnel deployed to Victoria's Gippsland area and
fires have been brought under control. Weather reports estimate
temperatures in the mid to upper 80s for the week of February 2.
Lightning storms on February 2 have ignited several new fires on the
Victoria/New South Wales border; though these fires are also
reportedly being effectively managed.
3. (SBU) Chris James at the Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce
and Industry estimates the economic cost of heat wave in Victoria at
A$100 million (US$636 million). Approximately 25,000 homes in
Melbourne were without power for several hours on January 30 as
rolling blackouts attempted to mitigate spikes in electricity
consumption. According to press accounts, more than 1,300 train
services were cancelled during the week of January 26 due to damaged
tracks, faulty air conditioning or other heat-related incidents.
Pressure is mounting on Victorian Public Transportation Minister
Lynne Kosky as she continues to ask for patience during the
"extraordinary" heat wave.
4. (U) Since the heat wave commenced on January 28, Victoria's
emergency services have reportedly seen a 70 percent increase in
calls and have treated scores of people for heat-related illnesses.
Reports in the press have varied, but at least six people have died
due to effects of the heat wave. According to Barry Vincent,
Victoria has responded to increased human health demands by
establishing an integrated emergency operations center in order to
improve coordination between the state's various emergency response
centers.
Heat Wave Continues in South Australia
--------------
5. (SBU) Peter Scott of South Australia's State Emergency Service
(SES) told post on February 2 that the state continues to face 105+
degree Fahrenheit weather. While the state has now broken a
100-year heat record, South Australia has not seen significant
brushfires. According to Scott, other heat-related emergency
services such as responding to falling trees and electrical outages
have left volunteers working "flat out." South Australia, Scott
said, is accustomed to high temperatures and is well positioned to
continue to meet the challenges ahead. Temperatures are expected to
drop in South Australia to the high 90s by February 7.
Comment
--------------
6. (SBU) The state governments of South Australia and Victoria
continue to manage the impact of last week's heat wave. Brushfires
have been kept to a minimum in South Australia, and Victorian
firefighters were able to defend the key Latrobe Valley power line
which supplies more than 75 percent of Melbourne's power. While
emergency response teams have minimized the human cost of the recent
heat wave and resulting brushfires, the Victorian government has
lost significant political capital as shortcomings in Victoria's
already burdened public transport system have become evident.
Improving Melbourne's aging mass transit system is increasingly
becoming a political imperative and may figure prominently in the
MELBOURNE 00000017 002 OF 002
state elections scheduled for next year.
THURSTON