COMMUNITY VIEWS SOUGHT FOR 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF CANBERRA FIRESTORM

On the occasion of the ninth anniversary of the devastating Canberra firestorm which claimed four lives and destroyed around 500 properties, ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher is seeking the views of the public on how the city should mark the 10th anniversary next year.

"I visited the Bushfire Memorial in Weston Creek this morning to pay my respects to those who lost their lives and the thousands more among us who were affected in some way," Ms Gallagher said.

"The 18th of January remains a difficult one for many in the Canberra community and I think all of us can remember exactly what we were doing back on that hot, windy January day in 2003," the Chief Minister said.

"Everyone in Canberra knows someone who was affected by the firestorm.It was a time in our city's short history where we were challenged by the force of nature and where the people of Canberra rose to that challenge and worked together to support those who had lost loved ones, homes, animals and possessions.

"Nine years on there are those who will still struggle to deal with the horrors of that day and the memories that come with it. My heart goes out to each and every one of those people, particularly to the families and friends of those who lost their lives.

"At the same time I am proud of the way we, as a community, have supported each other in those difficult days, weeks, months and years of recovery and rebuilding.

"Today, I am asking Canberrans to consider how we should mark this important occasion, to commemorate what must go down as the worst day in our city's 99 year history," the Chief Minister said.

Suggestions can be posted on the ‘Time to Talk' website (http://timetotalk.act.gov.au/), by calling Canberra Connect on 132281 or via Twitter to @actcomms

Media Contact:

Adina Cirson 6205 0384 0435 964 454 adina.cirson@act.gov.au

Kathryn Roberts 6205 0242 0478472039 kathryn.roberts@act.gov.au

Scott Howard 6205 8144 0478 474 071 scott.howard@act.gov.au