The Wooroloo bushfire started on 1 February 2021 and burned more than 10,000 hectares over seven days, causing extensive damage within the Shire of Mundaring and the City of Swan, including the destruction of 86 homes and damage to many more properties.
The departments coordinated the clearing and clean-up of 135 affected properties after the devastating fire.
The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation lead the clean-up program to provide the safe removal of bushfire-damaged waste from residential blocks, regardless of the owners’ insurance status, at no cost.
The program removed bushfire-related debris from 135 fire-impacted properties in Gidgegannup and Wooroloo. It involved a collaborative State Government effort, with the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation leading the complex program management and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services responsible for overarching recovery coordination, evaluation, and funding administration.
The program meant residents could focus on their personal recovery after the traumatic event without the worry of waste removal and had a reduced risk of being exposed to hazardous waste materials including asbestos.
Maximising recycling was an important part of the program’s waste strategy, with more than 70 per cent of materials recycled. By mid-September 2021 all major demolition works and waste removal on registered properties were complete.
The Minister for Emergency Services, Stephen Dawson, presented the award to Program Manager, Compliance and Enforcement, Jason Lette.
Compliance and Enforcement Director of Operations Shaun Hodges said the department’s team worked tirelessly to ensure the program’s success. A survey indicated 94 per cent of residents were satisfied with the program.
“These were real lives we were dealing with, not just a clean-up job. Many residents were understandably traumatised, and our staff and contractors were particularly sensitive to their needs, ensuring personal service that included understanding and empathy,” Shaun said.
Pictured L-R: DFES Commissioner Darren Klemm, Samantha Stokes (formerly DFES), Rachel Jones (DFES), Jason Lette (DWER), and Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson.
