South West local governments receive more than $1 million for bush fire prevention from State Government

A new bushfire mitigation scheme will see South West councils receive almost $1.2 million in funding to prepare for the next fire season. The grants are part of the State Government’s $4m Bushfire Activity Fund which is providing funding to 27 local governments. Financial support will go towards mitigation activities including mechanical treatments to reduce fuel levels, creating fire breaks and undertaking prescribed burns. Busselton is set to get the most money from this round of funding, with the city netting more than $290,000 for 26 treatments, while the Shire of Dardanup will get about $242,000 for 27 activities. The City of Bunbury ($176,000), Shire of Manjimup ($172,000) and Shire of Augusta-Margaret River ($116,000) will also receive six figures for their 44, 48 and 11 treatments respectively. The shires of Boyup Brook, Bridgetown-Greenbushes, Harvey and Waroona have also shared in the funding. Each recipient is required to have a bushfire risk management plan endorsed by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services. Shire of Manjimup president Donelle Buegge said the funding would help the region get ahead of bushfire season. “The grant is a welcome boost to our ongoing bushfire mitigation efforts,” she said. “These funds will be crucial in bolstering our preparedness and improving the safety of our residents during the bushfire season.” Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson said the funding would help with the increasingly difficult task of managing bushfire risks. “Everyone has a role to play in reducing bushfire risk. It’s more important than ever that local governments have the support that empowers them to protect their communities,” he said. “With a changing climate, bushfire seasons are running longer and fire conditions are becoming more challenging. “The Cook Government is investing an additional $140 million into equipping our first responders to fight fires, and we’re trying to make their jobs a little easier with this mitigation program. Mr Dawson said more than 5000 bushfires were reported across the State last season, burning more than 9.5 million hectares. It is a significant increase on the 4017 fires and more than 2.8 million hectares burned during the same period in 2022-23. The South West sweltered through a brutally hot and dry summer late last year and early this year, with bushfires occuring in locations including Collie, Eaton, Denmark, Waroona and Dalyellup.