The City of Kwinana has been awarded over $375,000 in state funding to undertake bushfire mitigation activities over the next year in the rural areas of Wandi, Anketell, Casuarina and Wellard, as well as other bushland areas within the City.
The funding, released in July via the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, is part of a record $7.5 million program to assist local governments reduce the risk of fire ignition and spread and includes the clearing of ground fuel and pruning of trees on road verges and state-owned land within the City.
This proactive management of bushland and open areas that are close to homes, assets and significant sites is a welcome addition to the City’s Bushfire management activities.
With 240 hectares of natural area reserves within the City, bushfires pose a significant risk to the community. The City’s Fire Management and Fuel Reduction Program addresses these risks through the management of the City’s reserves and the Bushfire Mitigation funding allows the City to focus its efforts on state owned land and road verges.
Mayor Carol Adams said the funding would complement the City’s robust Fire Management practices and provide a coordinated approach to bush fire risks in the area.
“With the support of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services and the Office of Bushfire Risk Management, we have identified, assessed and made a plan to treat those areas within Kwinana that are deemed bush fire risks,” Mayor Adams said.
“The funding means that we are able to better protect our people, assets and other local things of value by reducing the fuel load in the City.
“I encourage residents and ratepayers to seek information about preparing your property for the threat of bushfire,” she said.
As a bushfire prone area, the City is required to prepare risk assessments of areas throughout Kwinana and create a Bushfire Mitigation Plan. The plan then calculates the level of risk that the hazard presents and rates the risks as high, very high and extreme. This forms the basis of the application for funding. The City has received funding for 84 projects that will be completed over the next financial year.
More information about timelines for works will be communicated through the City’s channels and via the website at www.kwinana.wa.gov.au/fire