Original subtitles

They said no lights.

Well, it's about paranoia. For God's sake, Teddy.

Mum, I'm covered by a worker's compile. If you drive us into a telephone call...

Look, would you just relax, all right? You're really starting to make me

nervous. Join the club.

There. Over there.

How much is in here?

$3 ,000.

Does Gavin know you're doing this?

Hold tight, Teddy.

Will you just shut up and bring the bloody camera?

If that dog will bear five months, I'll lose.

Got the money?

Yep.

You can count it if you like.

Is that thing on?

Not yet.

All right, don't point it at me, all right?

Wide shots only, Scout's honour.

And no name.

Absolutely.

All right, let's go.

Get that hose attached to the main. Now. Let's go.

Go.

Come on, come on, come on, come on.

So how long have you been tapping into the water main?

About a year.

Ever been caught?

No. Who buys your water?

Garden nurseries, industrial people.

Whatever, really. People with pools.

Do you ever feel guilty?

Because so many people have so little water. We've got as much right to this

water as anyone else.

Come on!

All right, all right, go!

Here in Western Sydney, stolen water can be sold on the black market for up to

ten times its normal retail price.

With the economy in decline and unemployment rising, it's to be expected

the incidence of water theft will only increase.

continent on earth. Fresh water is its lifeblood. But last year Australians

wasted 200 million litres of water just while we were brushing our teeth.

That's a lot of water down the drain and out the sea. My government is doing

everything we can to save and secure our water. Our desalination plant provides

125 million litres a day to the city of Sydney. But we still need your help. So

next time you turn on the tap... Think hard about how much water you really

need. Let's all be smart with water.

In Western Europe, cyclonic conditions continue to wreak havoc, causing

catastrophic flooding and mudslides in France, Spain and Portugal.

Hey, you shafted me. I saved your ass. You gave up my sources. Those contacts

were made in confidence. You went out there without my approval.

Of course, if you'd have given it, come on. Damn right, you were paying them,

for God's sake. Oh, I'm sorry, and you've never ever paid for a story

I've never paid criminals to show me how to break the law. Jesus, what?

Gavin, look, water is the story of the century, okay? Did you know it costs 450

% more to drink a glass of water today than it did even five years ago, and it

is still heading north.

There is something very wrong with the way water is being delivered in this

town. Oh.

Well, go out and look for yourself.

Go out west, Parramatta and beyond. Everything's dying. Okay, so people

on the coast can afford the fines better than people living in the west. Hold

the front page.

There is something else going on here. Yeah, what's that?

I don't know yet.

Susan, wake up for Christ's sake.

If you want a story, work out what the bloody hell it is first. Then find

someone who knows what they're talking about to nail their colours to your

Paying a couple of unemployed wasters to show the world how to steal water is

just pissing in the...

I think we're done.

How'd that go?

Not a guess.

Yeah,

I've

got a teenage gang in my backyard for some time, Roger.

Like little spores of teenagers.

I tried it in my week's grave once.

Oh, Dave, a few Christmas lights is not going to melt the electricity grid.

Yeah, and what if everyone thought that way?

A single strand of 50 pulls to 200 kilowatt hours over 60 days.

I can't believe I married a man who chooses to know that stuff. Yeah, well,

did.

G'day. Hi.

Hello. That's a sad -looking train, Mum. Well, would it be better with lights?

Speak to him.

Steady.

Hey, is it all right if Dan spends Christmas with us?

My parents have to go to Tasmania for a bit, so I can go home.

by yourself away.

No, we'd love to have you.

Yeah, of course.

Cool. Thanks.

Thanks. That's really good of you guys.

So,

are we sleeping together?

We've been doing that for about eight months.

Yeah, I know. It's just I've been able to pretend that I didn't.

David Langmore?

David.

My name's Susan Shapiro. I'm a journalist for CPN News. I'm doing a

Sydney's water supply and I was wondering if I could have a few minutes

time.

Who gave you this number?

I can call you on another number if that would be more convenient.

No, I have nothing to say to you.

Mr Langmore, aren't you at least a little concerned about the city running

of water?

If I was, I would not be speaking to the media about it.

Mr Langmore, you're in the front line. Your opinion is extremely important.

Look, I've got nothing to do with the water services.

But I'm sure you could find out whatever you needed to.

Don't call his number again.

What's news?

We've got four flare -ups. Darug National Park, Cat Eye, Blue Mountains

Holdsworthy. No rain in the storm?

No, just 18 % humidity and a whole lot of lightning.

Lance, how many fixed -wing aircraft have we got working in the central west?

One reconnaissance, two bombers.

We might need them in Sydney Metro.

Put them on standby.

Yep.

G'day, mate.

G'day, mate. How you doing?

Who are we talking to? We're talking to Amy. Amy.

Superintendent David Langmore is the State Operations Coordinator at the

National Fire Service.

David, thanks for joining us.

Can you give us a summary of the bushfire situation at the moment?

Yes, there's been a number of major lightning strikes across the state in

past 24 hours.

These have started some significant fires in the north and the west of

Susan Shapiro.

Did you make a special trip out here to buttonhole me?

It's not so special. It's on my way home.

I'm sure there are other people you could harass. People who actually deal

the water supply. Yeah, and if I hear the words commercial incompetence one

time, I'll rip out my own liver.

You look bigger on TV.

Look, just let me ask you one thing.

How do you think the city's water shortage is going to affect the fire

My report's going to air tonight. I thought I'd give you one last chance to

contribute.

Look, Miss Shapiro, Susan, sometimes things aren't about conspiracy. It's

about the weather.

And shit happens when good men do nothing.

These pipes bring water from Warragamba Dam. Sydney's main source of drinking

water. to the prospect filtration plant.

Today, the dam is at less than 10 % of its capacity.

Now, this raises very serious questions about the level of water scarcity in

this city.

The quality of the water at the base of the dam is likely to be contaminated

with whatever has sunk to the bottom over many years.

What's this about? Is this real?

No.

No, it's sensationalist bullshit.

We've got the best drinking water in the country. Nothing's changed in 15 years.

Andrew, get me the health minister in here, please.

As soon as people see that, they're going to think they're dying.

Everyone is getting pretty skittish about this water thing, aren't they?

this girl, this reporter, what do we know about her?

Shapiro.

She's young, ambitious.

So we can only wonder, what is the government doing to address this crisis?

She's a headline chaser.

That's good.

Let's get her in here and make her feel special.

Sure.

Hey, the stories are pretty good. No, they're not.

Oh, stories, please.

Yep. Okay, fine.

What time?

You've already cut my story. Okay, done. Where was all the stuff about the lack

of water recycling and all the water shortages in the West? I gave you eight

minutes. You have a one -on -one interview with the Premier.

I know you'd like me to ask someone else to do it.

cpn late edition news full coverage of the fires threatening the outskirts of

sydney's metropolitan area as fire crews gear up for what looks like a very bad

fire season are there kids asleep yes finished work yep paid you off

yep listen to that

fantasy

Be the Mormons, they don't sleep.

I'll get it, I'll get it.

Emily.

Mum kicked me out, Dad, I'm sorry.

I don't know where else to go.

Yeah, yeah, it's fine.

Come here, darling, come here.

So you guys had a fight?

Not just a fight, Dad.

Ten minutes after I finished my exam, she was like, Em, go out and get a job.

to start paying rent.

Blah, blah, blah.

Just let me get this straight before I call your mother, okay?

Did you leave or did she ask you to leave?

Dad, I don't want you to call her.

I'm not going back there.

She could stay with us for a while. Can I?

Just until I... Of course you can.

But I have to let your mother know where you are.

Can I have something to eat, please?

Yeah.

With the state entering its 250th day without rainfall, a total fire ban

in place.

You speak Divizious?

Yeah, yeah. The other side of the coin is that Emily's impossible to live with.

Selfish, sullen, argumentative.

They're a train crash.

Oh, well.

I suppose this is where, for better or for worse, kicks in, you know?

I don't mind.

It'd be good if someone helped me run the plates for a while.

Wouldn't it be a nice surprise if Ian turns out to be that kind of someone,

Firefighters are saying the next 24 hours are critical if they are to

three major fronts burning to the north and south of Sydney.

Backburning is underway, areas close to homes taking top priority.

I've got a present for you.

Christmas is two days away, you kid.

Yeah, well, this isn't a Christmas present.

What is it then?

It's just a present.

Open it.

What have you done?

Oh, that's beautiful.

Yeah, look inside.

That's me when I was six.

Yeah, yeah, whatever.

I think I like Christmas at your place.

Can I come again next year?

You know what?

I've got a better idea.

How about next year we do Christmas at our own place?

Really?

When he called, he wants you at the base.

Both of us?

Yep. It's going to be an ugly night, worse tomorrow.

I can give you a lift.

Mm -hmm.

As you were.

I think that's a brilliant idea.

Oi, hang on, where are you going? You heard the man. He said, as you were.

The situation is serious.

We need as many containment lines in tonight as possible before it really

up tomorrow.

I want five teams to put in fire breaks here, here and here.

And we need to get all the fuel off the ground.

Anyone that can use a chainsaw, grab one off Lenny. The rest of you, brush hooks

and McLeod tools.

And please, take a lot of drinking water. That's it.

Go.

Make these branches out of there.

Get those lines in here now.

Get in there and give these guys a hand.

Yes.

Major incident controllers are saying she's blowing up in Caddie and the

fire's moved into Murramurra.

The Blue Mountains fire's on the move too.

Baz, I need more ROARS data up there. Give me the latest wind map.

That wind shift in North West.

Velocity's up 8k in the last five minutes. Give me the National Infrared

Satellite fee from the Bureau.

It's an optic chart.

That high -pressure system's coming through much further north than the

predicted. This low off Tasmania's going to give us a few headaches.

Southerlies? Yep.

Big ones.

Gross. All right, let's get this place cranked up. Start telling the world it's

going to be a shit of a day.

in the West.

The kind of Christmas Eve where you want to get your last minute shopping done

by 8 .30 and then spend the rest of the day inside the fridge.

Two big messages from the National Fire Service. Don't forget the total fire ban

and clean out those gutters, folks.

I love it when I see my friends and family for the first time and they just

wow, you've changed yourself so much.

I can smell smoke.

You okay?

I couldn't sleep.

It's so hot.

Yes, I know what you mean.

Where's Dad?

He's gone to the hospital.

I thought you said he wasn't working today.

Yeah, he had to fill in.

He should be home soon.

Are we still going to go to the beach?

I don't know.

Okay, just try and breathe normally, okay?

Take a seat.

She's got diarrhoea. She's not sleeping for the heat. I think she might be

dehydrated. Okay, take her down to the clerk and register her details and keep

giving her water from the water cooler. Is it safe? It was the water that made

her sick in the first place. It's safe. I promise it comes out of a bottle.

So how long till I see a doctor? Look, ma 'am... Are you a doctor?

Look, please just do as the nurse says, okay? We're really, really busy, yeah?

Look at this place. It's not even nine o 'clock yet. It's just as bad over at

Blacktown. The chief medical officer should be issuing a public warning.

If we don't free some beds up in a queue, we're going to have to go on

Sparks of shocker out there.

Emergency.

Yep, just a pic for you.

Welcome, Frenchia. Hello, it's me.

You said you'd call.

Sorry, you look so measured up here.

Come on, come on.

You have got a bloody favour complex.

I used to like that.

It's really hard to say. It's bedlam here.

Hey!

I'll talk to you later on, OK? Are you going to take the kids swimming today or

what? I've got to go. I'll call you later, I promise.

What happened?

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

What happened?

Oh, man, look, we're coming through some lights up Windsor Road, right? Yeah.

And they're out.

And this frigging car comes screaming through. I can't look at his name.

It's Bernie.

Let's get him up.

Head injuries.

It's been the car accident.

Oh,

Susan, nice to meet you.

Premier, thank you very much for making the time.

Oh, it's a pleasure. I like meeting smart women who lift the standards of

usual muck.

Politics and journalism aren't so different that way.

Now, Daniel Shapiro was your father, wasn't he?

Did you know him?

Oh, he was one of my anthropology lecturers many years ago.

He was a wonderful man.

Thank you.

So, look, please take a seat.

Would you like a cup of tea or...? Oh, no, I'm fine, thank you. My cameraman

sound recordist are in the foyer. Should I ask them to come in? Oh, yeah, yeah,

shortly.

Look, I just want to put a few things on the table first.

Now, water is difficult.

It's something people feel entitled to, like air.

I'm sure you know it's a business that's making politicians prematurely grey all

across the country, myself included.

Now, mistakes have been made.

I freely acknowledge that.

Do those mistakes have anything to do with the lack of water in the west of

city?

Well, it's important that we don't use the remaining water that we have too

quickly. That's what the restrictions are about.

That's why we built the desal plant.

Together, they're an insurance policy against drought.

Fostering panic leaves a stain that won't wash out.

You're a bright young woman. You don't need to go there.

Well, I'm not interested in creating panic.

Good.

Neither am I.

Now, here is the latest analysis of our drinking water from the health

department. There you go, as you can see.

It's safe as it's ever been.

So, drink up.

It's on the house.

Thank you.

What was that supposed to mean?

I almost got my face shot off by the water patrol.

So that you could dig into what's really going on with this water crap.

And then you get your big chance and you turn into Oprah bloody Winfrey. Hey,

look, I am the only journalist to have had an interview with the Premier in

18 months.

Really? Okay, yeah. That's my big chance.

Suze, how's it going? Good. We're just cutting it now. Okay, they can wait.

We've got a fire in Borkham Hills. Teddy, you too.

You know what?

Let's just move in together and be done with it. Come on.

Four major fires in the national parks around Sydney are burning fiercely and

could pose a serious threat.

The National Fire Service reports that conditions have deteriorated... Winds

picking up from the northwest.

60 k's in Sydney Metro by lunchtime. Anything over 60, the choppers won't go

We need to declare section 44's.

Hornsby, Pennant Hills, Hawkesbury, Blue Mountains.

They'd be pre -emptive declarations.

We don't want to be playing catch -up.

Not today.

Listen up, everyone.

I am declaring now, make it warm.

Coco, section 44, section 44, we're declaring Pennant Hills blue now. That

National Fire Service has declared a section 44 bushfire emergency across six

Sydney local government areas, including here in Borkham Hills.

That means that all available emergency services, including police...

will be coordinated by the National Fire Service in those areas.

Now, we have just heard that the fire has crossed the Newlands Road and is

heading in the direction of Biddletown and Arcadia.

Local crews are throwing everything they've got at the fire, but there are

concerns that if it continues moving as fast as it has been, many properties

will be threatened.

This live -to -air business is scary shit.

Yeah, you were good.

Really? Yeah, yeah. I mean, compared to your one -on -one with the Premier, you

were almost professional.

Thanks, Teddy.

The premier will be available later this morning, but for now you've got the

monkey instead of the organ grinder.

No worries.

How's it looking?

We'll show you, David.

David. Yeah.

Tom Daly, premier secret staff. G'day, Tom. Thanks for coming down. Thank you.

Listen, mate, we've put together a couple of scenarios for you here. Now,

the current winded humidity conditions as a starting point, this is probably

most likely scenario over the next six to eight hours.

How much property damage is that?

Well, down south here, it's mostly bushland, but you've got the Royal

Park.

Up in the north and the west, we're talking mostly houses.

How many?

Hundreds?

Thousands.

Now, if this fire gets through Galston Gorge up in the north and into the Brow

Valley, it's going to run through the suburbs like a dose of salt.

Hornsby, Thornley, Pennant Hills.

Efforts in putting the bloody things out? No, it's a worst case.

Assumed no intervention.

Thank God for that.

What wind speed have you got factored in there?

45, building up to 60.

Crank it up to 70.

I reckon that's your worst case scenario.

Isn't there a southerly coming through later?

Yeah, about four this afternoon.

Well, that should help, shouldn't it? Well, if the temperature drops,

it could make matters worse.

How much worse? Look, if these fires are moving southeast, Big Southerly's going

to turn these fire flanks into fire heads, like this.

Then we're talking about fast -moving fire fronts here, here, and here that

would be, what, four or five kilometres wide.

We're not talking thousands of properties. We're talking tens of

It's Armageddon.

You got it.

As of 1100 hours, this is the fire front.

It's jumped in the Peon River and it's heading towards Moldova.

How fast is it moving, Nick?

As fast as shit off a shiny shovel.

We've got aviation crews here knocking down the head.

We've got a crew establishing a fire break here.

We need...

A crew here working on that flank to protect this town.

Lenny, I want you to put a team together.

All right.

Look, I know a lot of you have been working out there all night, so if you

some sleep, take it now.

Okay, that's it.

I'm in, Len. All right, mate, you come with me.

How are you going, honey? You all right?

Yeah, yeah, no dramas.

Where's Brendan?

Oh, beauty sleep.

Oh, yeah, he needs it.

The acute's full and there are 30 people in the waiting room. Where's Simon?

Well, he can't get here because of the fires.

Look, we're going to have to start discharging patients who are well enough

transport themselves east away from the smoke.

And if we get more people that are crook, we're going to have to really

about going on bypass.

I'm not convinced of that yet. Other hospitals are going to have to treat

because we can't. Well, for the time being, just do what you can.

Whoever owns that bloody truck outside, I need it moved now, please, right now.

Hey. Where's the kid who came in with the truck driver?

No idea.

I am.

I think swimming's off.

All this, um, smoke wouldn't be good for the kids.

Dad's still at work.

Yeah. Is there a lot these days?

He is, yep.

Is it because of me?

No. He's not happy about me being here, I know that.

Oh, Amy, don't be silly. He loves you. He doesn't like me.

There's a difference.

There's this look that he gets whenever I arrive unexpected.

Like he's stepped in something.

Well, you know that you're welcome here any time.

Team Bravo, over.

What's your position?

Over.

We're just on Littlefield Road heading up towards the fire trail now.

Over.

Rick, I'm saying the fire's about 25 minutes from the top.

Over. Yeah, understood. Over.

Stay in visual contact. Over.

Yeah, copy that. Tell them we've got the helmet cam.

Yeah, understood. See to you.

Can you bring me any more water up from Shoalhaven? I'm giving everything I can,

Dave, but the Shoalhaven's almost dry as well.

You know what I need.

Richard, when can I have a sky crane on the Blue Mountains fire? About half an

hour, 40 minutes. Are you sure you want to do that, boss? They're more used to

us at the Arcadia fire. They need something. The fire's moving 50 metres a

minute. A couple of Bell 214s might be the go. They're faster.

Load and drop out of what's left in the Nepean. My go is about to take a

flogging. But if it gets through, there's a couple of big roads here. In

north, they've got nothing between the fires and 2 ,000 properties.

Okay, do that.

Kimmy, you got any visuals on those strike teams in Malgoa? Yep.

Baz, put them up here, please.

Deanna, get on the wind support now.

Yeah, I'm on the wind support.

Defconn West, this is Strike Team Leader Bravo.

They were in trouble.

Understood. How's your water?

Three out of five tankers are nearly out.

Copy that, Strike Team Leader Bravo.

All right, mobilize the police and get the old people out of Mulgoa and

Silverdale. Where's Greg? Greg, get on to all the news directors.

Tell them to keep repeating the message. People in affected areas should either

get out now or stay inside.

We're pulling out now, over.

Understood.

Let's go!

Come on now!

Get up!

Where's their boat?

Yeah, I've got aviation on the phone now. They need to know where to dump it.

Get on up now! We're going!

Come on everyone, back to work.

God's sake.

it's the worst -case scenario.

Tens of thousands of houses?

Not for certain, but I've seen the modelling.

Things are going to get a lot uglier, that's for sure.

Okay.

Okay, well, I want to stay visible and informed 100%, and all mainstream media

requests come to me first.

They're going to want to talk to you about water, and I would be prepared

in case the roof comes off the Arkandale.

Well, how's that going to happen, Tom?

Well, all I'm saying is that these things have a habit of slipping through

cracks.

And I'm saying there are no cracks, right?

Of course.

When did this happen?

It was about two minutes ago.

Are you sure, Dave? No one's said anything here yet.

They will.

Look, Deanna might have gotten out. She might be injured and she... I don't

know. She... The important thing is that Brendan finds out from you rather than

over a two -way or when they breached the brigade.

Oh, yeah.

Okay.

Sweetheart, I gotta go.

I will.

I love you.

Excuse me, I'm looking for Brendan, Brendan Langmore.

Brendan? Yeah, he went with one of the crews to Badgerish Creek.

You want me to get a message to him?

Um, no, no, no, look, it's okay.

Nick!

We lost a four -wheel drive.

I can't even trouble him.

for a tap to my formal street.

Sorry, mate, we need it. I need it to protect the house. That's what we're

to use it for. Getting closer on these guys? It's taken me years to say that.

You leave it, OK?

I'm not going anywhere. You leave it.

Tom!

Come with me, please, sir.

I've been here 40 years.

Stay on the top. Stay on the top. Yep, yep.

What's happened to him? Shit!

Sir! Sir!

Hey, hey, Teddy, help me.

Can you get this bike to a hospital?

Uh... What? Yes, yes, yes.

What?

Teddy, help me!

Fires are now burning out of control in the city's north. The National Fire

Service is saying this is likely to impact the F3 freeway, the main northern

traffic artery connecting... Put the fire scan 255 pictures up there for me.

...to avoid the F3.

How long till that Borough Waters fire impacts the F3?

About half an hour. We should close it. Check to see if those crews from the

Central Coast made it into Borough.

We've got all the Christmas traffic heading north. Can you just bloody

Linda?

Dave.

Three confirmed fatalities.

for a few hours, will you, mate?

The Central Coast crew got into Browra about ten minutes ago.

Good. Close the F3 now.

Tina, I need more pressure in the mains.

I'm on it, Dave.

Good. As soon as you can.

I love it so much.

Christmas with you guys was really, really good.

I thought I should keep letting you sleep because you probably need it.

It's going to be a big one, I think.

But I just love you so much. I just wanted to tell you.

I think I probably better keep going.

I love you. Merry Christmas.

The Lord bless you and keep you.

May the Lord shine his face upon you and be gracious unto you.

Sweetheart.

Sweetheart.

Please, don't keep working.

Fires are now burning out of control in the city's north.

Ash from the bushfires falling from the sky... Some areas have been abandoned

due to mortgage defaults. People try to escape fire... ...unless it is

absolutely necessary. The death toll is likely to be more than 50.

Although there are no confirmed numbers to hand, the National Fire Service

reports that it's running critically short of water to fight the fires.

Well, we'll need the Commonwealth to come in behind it.

Right. Thank you. I will.

Things are going to get bad, Angela.

Yes, well, I can see that.

I'm not just talking about the fires. Yeah, but the fires are what we're

with here and now.

I'm declaring a state of emergency.

Even those people who have chosen to stay and protect their homes have not

been successful as the fires rage out of control.

Some interstate fire crews from Queensland, Victoria and South Australia

assisting local crews.

But many have been unable to get where they're needed because of the fires.

Mum, we'll just slow down a little bit.

Can I speak to Jenny?

From the front desk, Mum, can I speak to Jenny?

Billy! Shush!

I am declaring a state of emergency in New South Wales.

I am from next door. They are saying on the radio that people should leave their

houses, but I'll have to leave with someone else because I don't drive

Did you want to come in? The armed services will now be deployed to protect

and property within the city of Sydney. Thank you very much.

Bye -bye.

Is your mum okay?

Oh, there's talk of evacuating a nurse at home. She's panicking.

Dillip. They are saying we might have to leave, and if we do, I'm going to need

some help. Who's saying? The radio.

Affected areas, they said.

Relax. We're not affected yet. You take a seat. I'll get you a glass of water.

The fire's already gone through Arcadia.

That's 12 kilometres away.

Ben.

Can you take video outside for me, darling?

Thank you.

Where's your mum's nursing home?

Way down in Bloody Canania?

What's the name of it?

Joseph, why?

Well, I could go and get her.

I think it's better that you stay here with us.

Come on, matey, have a drink of water.

Come on.

Come on.

Oh, Jesus, Suze, I think he's stopped breathing. Okay, well, check his pulse.

Well, I look like a doctor to you. Just drive that light up to the front door.

Okay, okay, I am.

Quickly!

Okay, got him. One, two, three, go!

Okay, what's his name? Ruben. What happened?

He collapsed and the fire came through Arcadia.

You said you're getting more pressure in the mains. Where is it? I'm trying,

Dave, but the valves are being recalibrated. We're filling the local

as fast as they'll go. Well, that's bullshit because there's nothing out

Pressure's been down for months to save consumption. So wind the pressure back

up. You're supposed to have 25 million litres coming into the mains from the

desalination plant. Where is it? I'm doing my best.

It's not bloody good enough.

Get it sorted.

Don't get too proud if the emergency service vehicles can't get access to the

areas they need to go to.

Minister announced that the armed services would establish field hospitals

North Park.

Well, I think we should try and get some shots inside the hospital. I don't

know. I think we should just get out of here, man. Katie, we're already here. We

just need a couple of shots. I haven't got anything on pace yet. Is there

anywhere to shoot in there? You guys know how fast the Arcadia fire is

travelling? No, not exactly, but it's pretty fast. Because my wife and kids

in Excelsior. Well, if they're not up to fighting it, they should get out now.

Beat the rush. Really? Yeah, tell them to get out. Seriously, man.

Look, wait, wait, what, what, what? What if we ask him if we can shoot?

No, no, no, forgiveness is easy to get them permission. Trust me. Who said

Yeah, I'm the news reporter. Yeah, she's just been in Arcadia.

Yeah, it's really bad, Lizzie. Look, on the TV they're saying that we should

stay here unless the police... No, no, no, you've got to leave.

Please, just leave.

OK, thank you so much.

Lizzie, you ready? Yeah, OK, I'll be back in about 10 minutes.

OK.

Michael, you've got the car.

Who's Emily's car?

We can't. You've gone to get Mum.

What? In Panelia?

Have you got them in, Frank?

Yeah, let me show her. All right.

Jesus, Lizzie, how could you let her do that?

Well, I didn't let her. I told her not to go and she went anyway.

Here at Borkham Hills Hospital, doctors are strained to... Look, I'm coming to

get you, OK? You stay there. You hear me?

We can't redirect the water from the depot plant into the main. Wait, what do

you mean you can't? I don't know. It's not my fault.

Don't yell at me.

Get me the utilities minister on the phone. He's overseas.

So what? He's got a phone, doesn't he? Day. Well, get me the head of water

operations. Get me someone who can tell me where the damn water is.

Hey, Richard.

Every house with swimming pool get a white sheet tied to the front gate.

available cement truck and tanker in the city I want filled with seawater and

ready to go. Okay, I'm on to the boss.

Turn

left

in 20 metres.

Turn around now.

Turn back now.

Down south where outbreaks of wildfire...

Here, bring it through.

Get the ambulance to the back entrance, okay?

Push it through, push it through.

Let's move this along. Go, go, go, go, go.

Let's bring it over here.

Just lie back, mate. Listen, man, can you put that camera down and give us a

hand? Watch his head, watch his head. Put him up, put him up here. Put him up.

Oh, Zilip, I don't know. I can't see any photos in here.

It could be a box. They'll have a label.

Let's see.

Here you go.

Thanks.

I don't know if there's going to be enough room in the car for all of this,

Doug. I need to get my wife's things.

No, no, but with all of us and when Michael gets here... My son's car is in

garage. I just can't drive it because of my age.

All right, OK. When he gets here, we'll all leave together.

OK?

It's a call for 12 more earthmovers to put in brakes here just east of Ludnam.

How long till I can get those? Could be an hour.

Well, that's too long. It's far beyond them by then.

Find some bulldozers closer.

It's like half a dozen now by Twin Lakes Golf Course last week. I saw them.

They're out there.

Dave, we've got to have a look at these windmaps.

Up to 50km in Hawkesbury and Balcombe Hills. We've got to bring down the

choppers working in those districts. Richard, if we take the choppers out of

Balcombe Hills and Hawkesbury, how many fixed wind can we get in there to take

over? I'll check.

Get through.

We're pretty desperate down here. How long is that going to take?

It's getting through.

Keep them coming.

You're that TV reporter, aren't you?

Yeah, hi.

I saw that report you did about the water.

This government is a disaster.

In every bloody area.

How did you get them to work here?

Yeah, they're assisting all non -critical patients for evacuation.

three staff down there. Okay.

Okay, we've got a mess over here. My brother ran against the Premier in her

seat. He reckoned she was in deep shit until about a month before the election.

Then she got a huge injection of money into the campaign.

And where did she get the money from?

Don't know. But my brother reckoned she'd have been screwed without it.

I'm joined now by John Graham, the CEO of Argon Energy.

Mr. Graham, can you update us on what's happening with Sydney's power supply?

Well, a number of our towers, which support the large cables bringing power

the city, have been damaged by the fires.

This has resulted in blackouts in several regions within the metropolitan

However, Argon Energy maintenance crews are working hard to repair it. Dave,

fixed wind support can be loaded and it's balking wheels in 15 minutes.

20 for the Hawkesbury. Okay, get them out of the sky except for 214s. Redeploy

them to Bankstown.

Dave, have a look at this.

This is Northwest Substation.

Jesus!

Where's the power from the emergency generator?

Okay, everyone, we have 10 hours on the emergency generator.

All essential machinery will come out of the red and blue power outlets.

Let's prioritise all life support equipment out of blue, everything else

red.

Hi, Tom, this is Susan Shapiro from CPN News.

Hi, Tom, this is Susan Shapiro from CPN News. I was wondering if I could get a

statement from the Premier regarding a large injection of funds into her

campaign a month before the election.

You can call me back on this.

What? You, uh, go fishing much, Suze?

Oh, shut up, Danny.

It's a bloody nightmare.

The car's waiting downstairs to take us out to ambush.

Michael. Lizzie, I'm lost.

Em, is that you?

I'm lost. Lizzie, can you get my message?

Em, I can hardly hear you. Where are you?

I don't know. I'm near Liverpool.

I'm in the pool. Is Mum with you?

Come on, Lizzie. Come on.

He's dropping out. Is Mum with you?

He's in the pool.

Emily, it's Dad. Can you call me back?

This is really hard.

Because

I

can't do anything without power, that's why.

Tina, what have you got for me? I'm chasing the chairman of the water

board. Dave, emergency generator's kicking in now. About bloody time.

Whoa, there it is.

All right, we're back on.

these houses.

These cement trucks here are filled with sea water, which could do long -term

damage to bushland.

It's a last resort after all fresh water options have been exhausted.

It's become necessary, however, as there's just no water left in the mains

fight these fires.

So we do need to ask, where is all the water that the Premier has been talking

about? But she's actually got something.

Well, whatever she thinks she's got, we ride it out. Angela. We ride it out.

Listen to what I'm saying.

What if it can be proved?

Well, how is she going to do that, Tom?

There was only three people in that room. If you want to take the fall for

you'd be my guest.

But I'll deny I was ever there.

Lance, any news on those choppers coming up from Canberra? They're on the way.

Can you get me anything for Holdsworth?

Every plane and chopper is accounted for. If things wind down in the north,

be able to get you some more ordnance, but no sooner than an hour or two hours,

OK? All right, we'll chase up those heavies, put a rocket under them. Baz,

me the south coast wind map. Yeah, yeah, I'm bringing that up.

It's like they've moved into the national park.

The fire's near Excelsior Park.

You need to go.

Be with your family.

We're fine. We've got Simon here. We've got it covered.

Go. Sure.

Sure. Go.

Let's go. Let's go. On the bus. On the bus. Let's go. Let's go.

Move. Move. Come on.

Mate, where are you going? Mate, what's happening in Excelsior Park?

Mate, I'm not sure, but the fire's close.

Mate, you'll never get through that way, okay?

I have to go to my family.

Okay, darling, let's go.

Where's Ben?

Okay, I want you to stay here. Don't move, okay?

Ben?

You'll have to take your car if that's all right. Yes, yes, yes.

What?

Okay, can we just see you doing so well, you two? I want you to stick that on.

Pop that in for me, darling.

Do you know anything about cars?

Okay. All right, grab everything you can. We'll get a lift with someone else.

Come on, kids.

Take your seatbelts off.

All the bushfires around Sydney are now burning out of control.

The National Fire Service is reporting that there has been a devastating loss

life and property.

And the tragedy continues.

Just half an hour ago, it's believed that 11 people were killed in Mount

when their homes were engulfed by fire and they had no time to escape.

There are power blackouts right across the city and most... Gav,

I want to go out again. Can you give me the chopper? No.

Don't be a prick. You've been on deck 15 hours. I'm fine.

If it's safe, Pete's going up. Just let me do a pass over the Hills District.

No. Come on, Excelsior Park is about to explode.

Just give me one more shot, I'll be an hour and a half top. You bloody won't.

Please, Gavin, I really need to do this.

Thanks. Teddy, come on, we're going out again.

Really? That's great.

Come on.

Coming.

Okay, in the north, we've got three fireheads here, here and here.

In the west, the wind's whipping another front towards Camden and Campbelltown.

And the Holdsworthy fires jump the freeway into the National Park. Close

Great Western Highway.

Valley Heights and... Are the interstate crews making much difference?

A lot of them can't get through because the road closes.

Well, your people will be wanting relief soon, won't they?

It'd be a bloody relief if they had some water in their hoses.

Yes, it's like working with one hand tied behind your back.

Actually, it's worse than that.

We've lost eight volunteers.

Possibly more.

That's a tragedy.

Well, if they had some water in their hoses, they might have been able to save

themselves. You speak to the business at hand. Do you want the business at hand?

Half the city's on fire. Mobile networks are going down. The electricity grid is

dying in the arse. And we've got a southerly on the way that's going to

these flanks into fire heads. And then it's really going to turn to shit

we've got no water. Now, what are you going to do about that? Are you asking

to make it rain? I'm asking you... I'm asking you where the pressure is.

Where is the water from the desalination plant? The call on the water

distribution network on a day like today is immense. You know that, don't you? I

mean, it's so naive to expect simple answers.

With all... Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey. How much trouble do you want, mate,

huh? You've got enough on your plate.

Do you understand how many people are going to die out there today? We've

already got reports. It's over 300.

300? 300. And by the end of the day, it could be double that.

Um, Tom, we've got press conference.

You should have a look at this.

The areas in red are where the water pressure's below 15 head.

That's low.

Yeah.

And it's where the fire fronts are.

The system's gravity -fed, Dave.

If there's no water in the dams in the west, the pressure's going to be lower

there.

Where does the desal plant feed into the system?

Here. Shaft 11.

Waterloo.

But the pressure tunnel that feeds the western suburbs is supposed to be

Erskineville pumping station, shaft 17.

You asked me where it feeds into the system, I'm just telling you. That means

the desal plant isn't even connected to the mains in the western suburbs.

It's completely useless west of the harbour bridge.

I want Langmore removed.

On what grounds? I don't care.

If you do that, you're going to have one hell of a loose cannon on your hands.

You'll have nothing to lose. A disaffected ex -employee is easier to

300 people, Angela.

That's a separate issue, Tom.

to get away from the fire and the smoke, but there's widespread panic because no

one is entirely sure which direction the fire is going to come from.

Sores of foam continue to burn as the jet coal rises.

Now, as you can see...

Roger that.

Confirming tickets to be collected at Parramatta and then move to North Rocks.

The desalination plant is costing us a fortune in electricity.

But you're asking for a discount on your power costs. Well, why not? I mean, you

get plenty of fresh water for nothing.

Many hundreds of volunteer firefighters have contributed a mammoth effort to

controlling these fires. In the process, they've lost many members.

Despite their heroic efforts under the most difficult conditions in living

memory, the fires have still penetrated deep into suburban areas, causing

massive damage.

We can only imagine how much more damage might have been...

First of all, I want to express my profound sadness and regret at the lives

have been lost in the fire today. I extend my deepest condolences to the

families and friends of the victims.

Dave?

Brendan's okay.

Dave?

Dave, what do you think about pulling both sky cranes out of Bankstown to

and then to Kuringai Chase?

They can pull water out of the Kowang Creek.

That's a good idea, mate.

Thanks, mate.

There's an eerie sense of calm here in North Rock.

The wind has died down and the temperature has dropped enormously.

Now, police have blocked off the area and evacuated residents because of the

fire that's threatening the detergent factory you can see behind me.

Now, I did speak to the fire chief about 20 minutes ago about the likelihood...

God, did you get that? You all right? Yeah, yeah,

yeah. Keep rolling, keep rolling.

As you can see, there was a very large explosion that just happened behind us.

Obviously, something very flammable... Excuse me.

Obviously, something very flammable has gone up.

Now,

this doesn't seem to be any... Jesus,

Lucy, guys, let's get out of here.

that due to the high humidity and yesterday's southerly winds, they have

brought the fires under control and they are behind containment lines.

According to a statement issued by the NFS earlier today, the only good thing

about fires of this size and intensity is that they burn the available fuel

quickly and therefore burn themselves out faster than the fires Australia

endured in the past.

Now begins the grisly task of counting the cost.

And although we can put a value on the loss of property, we can never count the

cost of the lives lost and the pain and suffering of those left behind to grieve

them.

Do you like me, Dad?

I like you with all my heart.

Can you feel the sun

with me?

You know, the desalination plant is costing us a fortune in electricity.

Are you asking for a discount on your power costs?

I am.

You want Argon to supply your desal plant for nothing?

Well, why not? I mean, you use fresh water for nothing. It seems fair.

Well, is this a quid pro quo?

You can call it whatever you like.

I'd have to take it to the board. Well, yes, you do that, and you tell them that

I'm a competitor of the terms of the original contract with Argon Energy for

sale of the power plants that should get their attention.

That really would cost you a fortune.

Well, I think if the punters knew that you were using 50 million litres of

drinking water a day for free, that could cost you a fortune, too.

Well, you signed the contract.

Well, then we could all go down in a hail of gunfire.

It could be fun.

Well, the board might want to wait till the election.

See if you win. Ladies and gentlemen, the Premier will be with you shortly.

I'll be a lot easier to deal with than the other mob.

You know, all those easements through the National Park for your

the local council headaches, the stamp duty problems with your asset

acquisitions, all that could be dealt with.

Just for cutting a deal on power to your diesel plant?

Oh, well, we might need to add a little sweetener.

How much of a sweetener?

A million.

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming.

This is the saddest day in our nation's history.

Over the last 48 hours, we have seen an unprecedented loss of life and the

destruction of many thousands of homes and livelihoods.

On behalf of the people of New South Wales, I offer up our prayers to those

have lost their loved ones.

I also offer my sincere thanks and respect to the men and women of the fire

service who have performed magnificently, often without regard to

safety. Without their efforts, the loss of life would certainly have been much

greater.

Yes. There was a severe lack of water to fight the fires. Do you have any

comment on that?

Well, the whole country's been short of water for a while. This is not unique to

New South Wales. How many people are confirmed dead?

386 people are confirmed dead at the moment. It's a mammoth disaster.

Premier, can you explain the relationship between Argon Energy and

desalination plant?

I'm sorry, I don't really see how that's relevant to the current disaster. Argon

Energy supplies electricity to the desalination plant, and in turn, Argon

major consumer of fresh water.

the cooling of the power stations. Is that correct? I don't really see how

are. I mean, there's not a time or a place. Is it true, Premier, that you

deal in place with Argon Energy where you guaranteed them unlimited supplies

free water from the catchment areas?

David, isn't it? David Langmore, correct?

Yes. Premier,

how long have you had knowledge of this?

Look, I don't have the exact details of those commercial arrangements with me,

David. Premier, is it true?

that the fresh water coming out of the desalination plant was never going to be

available to the people west of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Listen, listen.

Without that desalination plant, we would have run out of fresh water two

ago.

Did Argon Energy contribute $1 million to your electoral campaign one month

before the last election?

No, that is...

You are a liar.

I have a recording of you making that exact agreement with John Graham, CEO of

Argon Energy.

Don't be shy, everybody.