Home

City receives bushfire management funding

Jackson Lavell-LeeBusselton Dunsborough Times
More prescribed burns will be conducted by the City of Busselton after they were handed a significant grant from the State Government
Camera IconMore prescribed burns will be conducted by the City of Busselton after they were handed a significant grant from the State Government Credit: Busselton-Dunsborough Times, Jackson Lavell-Lee

The City of Busselton has received nearly $500,000 from the State Government to assist in reducing fuel loads and the risk of bushfires yesterday.

The City received $499,500 the second largest Mitigation Activity Fund grant in the State behind the Shire of Denmark who received an even $500,000.

Emergency Services Minister Francis Logan said the level of interest in addressing bushfire risk from the City of Busselton was extremely positive.

“The Mitigation Activity Fund Grants Program provides crucial financial support to empower and enable local governments to reduce the threat of bushfire to their area.

“Since 2017, the State Government has funded 37 local governments to carry out more than 2,500 mitigation activities, a contribution of well over $20 million in creating a safer State.”

City of Busselton manager of environmental services Tanya Gillett said the funding would support a range of bushfire mitigation treatments this financial.

“Treatments include the upgrading of strategic firebreaks and emergency access ways across the municipality,” she said.

“Major fuel reduction burns will be conducted at locations such as Big Rock and Meelup and a series of smaller mechanical works projects and prescribed burns along road reserves.”

Local fire brigades conduct prescribed burns.
Camera IconLocal fire brigades conduct prescribed burns. Credit: Jackson Lavell-Lee

Under the first round of the grants program, 612 mitigation activities will be carried out on areas deemed to be at high risk of bushfire throughout the State.

The activities will include mechanical treatments to reduce fuel levels, the creation of firebreaks and planned burns.

Vasse MLA Libby Mettam described the job of addressing fuel loads in the City of Busselton as a “long journey” with some of the most high risk areas and at risk properties in WA.

“It’s good to see this investment in fuel mitigation in this region which is an ongoing concern given the significant challenge we have across the electorate,” she said.

“The implementation of the bushfire risk management program has been a significant journey but it means all government agencies are using an objective process to assess risk, as initiated under the previous government.

“It is now pleasing to see this progress with the current government and funding delivered and supported by the City of Busselton.”

For more information on future MAF grant program and how to prepare a Bushfire Risk Management Plan visit https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails