11,000 scientists recently signed a scientific paper declaring a climate emergency, at the same time backing protesters across the world who are demanding action.

Read more in opinion: What's the plan for Mudgee for the coming decades?

People are falling over themselves to prove that climate change 'doesn't cause bushfires' but they're really just missing the point. Climate change isn't the 'cause' of these devastating bushfires, but we know that they create conditions where they can more easily be lit and spread unabated.

The actual people out there, the ones that volunteer to be firefighters, when they say 'more needs to be done' - that's when you listen.

The second is pill testing. I get it, the NSW Police don't want to be seen 'encouraging' taking of illegal drugs at music festivals.

But when the NSW Police Commissioner rejects pill testing despite evidence to the contrary suggesting that it saves lives and the Coroner's thorough recommendation that pill testing be implemented, then honestly what are you doing?

Read more: Let the residents of Mudgee own the Theatre

When can we just say 'enough is enough' and put an end to the ignorance? Experts are experts for a reason. You trust a doctor when they give you medical advice, you trust a surgeon to operate on you, you trust a biochemist when they discover a breakthrough that might cure a disease. What's the difference?

Thoughts are prayers - what is the point? We need firm, measured and immediate action taken by those that we pay to lead the country.

People are dead, homes are lost and it could have been avoided. People won't ever stop taking drugs and as a community we're always taking on risk. How many 'dangerous' things are we legally allowed to do? Plenty.