NSW bushfires bad omen

Warnings of a horror bushfire season this summer have been given new force by major fires in New South Wales, threatening properties even before the arrival of spring.

Buffeted by strong winds, firefighters were yesterday battling outbreaks on the state's south coast and at Port Stephens, north of Sydney.

As they tried to establish containment lines, the Victorian Government was announcing new rules to help beat the threat of another potential disaster of a scale that could potentially match February's Black Saturday, which killed 173 people.

Overriding environmental concerns, the Government will now allow residents to ignore local regulations to clear trees and bush within 10m of their homes, and to strip ground of low-lying shrubs and grasses out to 30m. Provided neighbours agree, they will also be able to remove trees and other vegetation up to 4m outside their boundary fences, and to collect firewood from roadsides in high-risk areas. "Householders will be able to exercise their discretion about the way they prepare their properties best for the fire season," State Environment Minister Gavin Jennings said.

The Government in South Australia imposed up to 30-fold increases on fines for water theft last night in a bid to highlight a water shortage as the Murray River continues to run low.

Maximum fines for stealing water from the river would be increased for corporations from A$70,000 ($86,000) to A$2.2 million while fines for individuals would rise to A$700,000 from A$35,000.