Holiday home fire fears

Concerns have been raised about bushfire-readiness and regulations around short-stay accommodation homes in the region.

As bushfire season approaches, a call has gone out for preparedness regulations in an effort to improve education.

In his capacity as a facilitator for Bushfire Ready, a community-led Department of Fire and Emergency Services education resource, Peter Campbell has called for greater awareness of the “dos and don’ts” of regional bushfire prevention for visitors.

Mr Campbell’s patch includes about 2500 properties in mostly rural residential areas of Yallingup and Dunsborough.

“It’s about a 50/50 of residential homeowners and short-stay accommodation providers,” he said.

“If your home is a holiday home, the people staying there don’t necessarily understand the bush,” he said.

Mr Campbell said there had been issues in the past with holiday home visitors flicking away their cigarettes and other risky behaviour. “Some of it’s silly and some of it’s lacking in common sense,” he said.

In an effort to address this issue, Mr Campbell has approached Vasse MLA Libby Mettam, who has agreed to address the issue at a State Government level.