The Western Australia Local Government Association (WALGA) has welcomed the release of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) concept paper looking at rethinking the way fire mitigation efforts are managed.
The need for shared responsibility, including binding the State Government to ensure its agencies manage risk on their properties, is the cornerstone of the 16–month review.
The review into consolidating emergency services legislation was developed in consultation with representatives of Local Government, State Government agencies, volunteers and the private sector.
WALGA President Mayor Troy Pickard said the comprehensive consultation process conducted by the DFES heard from more than 1500 individuals, conducted 11 expert panels across the State and received 220 formal submissions.
“As would be expected with such a comprehensive review, there are significant issues and we will be looking to make a constructive contribution through engagement with our Member Local Governments.
“A key intent that effectively ensures all individuals and groups take responsibility for bushfire mitigation on their land is a positive step forward.
“We will work through the implications of the review for the sector but our primary concern is to ensure that there is clarity and fairness in the allocation of responsibilities and appropriate authority to better protect the community.”
Mayor Pickard warned there would be substantial costs in a wholesale strategy to reduce fuel loads across all property types that should be shared by all landholders.
Concerned that the mitigation works could fall solely to Local Government, WALGA commissioned independent analysis and found it would cost the sector $50 million per annum to implement bushfire risk assessment and treatment works.
“Ultimately the Local Government sector is looking for clear legislation about what is expected by government and the community to mitigate risk with a shared responsibility by all stakeholders.”
