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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2024-11-27 Daily Xml
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Bushfire Preparedness

Mr McBRIDE (MacKillop) (15:07): My question is to the Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services. Could the minister please explain what preparedness has been carried out in the regions for the oncoming fire season? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Mr McBRIDE: As was reported in this house not long ago by the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, the road maintenance contract by Fulton Hogan is not meeting expectations and we have seen our roadsides being left unsprayed and unslashed. The concern here is motorists pulling off onto the side of the road on a hot day will start fires on the sides because of this long regrowth.

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN (Kavel—Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Special Minister of State) (15:08): I thank the member for the question. He is a particularly dedicated member to his community and they recognise his skill and commitment to them as well. I must say that this is a matter that a number of parliamentarians have raised with me, but I am particularly appreciative of the question.

In terms of preparations for the bushfire season overall, of course, you would anticipate that the Country Fire Service and supporting agencies are now at a high level of readiness. All districts across the state, of course, are declared for the season and all brigades are understanding of their responsibilities.

In terms of the member's specific question, which is directed at the fuel load that might exist in his community and elsewhere across the state, there are three matters that I want to raise. In areas that are managed by the state that fall into other agency responsibilities, there are actions taken throughout the year to try to minimise the fuel load, and that doesn't just relate to the areas of roadside that the member for MacKillop mentions, but it is sometimes the case that other agencies of the state are involved in managing that fuel load or that vegetation.

Then, of course, it may be that there are individual landowners, depending on who owns the road, and various other factors that are relevant to surrounding activities, including agricultural activities or other matters, including forestry. As the member is aware, there are areas of vegetation that are managed by local councils. It can be the case that the local council will have an annual program and then a specific program that is focused on ensuring that the roadsides are ready for the bushfire season. Often, there would be longstanding contracts in place to manage that roadside vegetation.

Of course, what is plain to all of us is that there can be areas of the state that need additional attention. In that case, it's important for all of us as a community to be alert to where additional work might be required and to engage with all agencies, to alert those agencies or local councils to that additional work. As well, there is a role I think for the community to play; for example, there may be landowners who have an interest in managing and are capable of managing and must manage the vegetation on their properties. I know in the member's community, there are many landowners who are preparing for what is likely to be a very tough fire season. In the South-East, in particular, we know that soil dryness levels are particularly low, and we are very concerned about the fire season to come.

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