Extra $20 million for prescribed burning program

The 2015-16 State Budget will provide an extra $20 million to help meet the challenge of prescribed burning in forest areas and land managed by the Department of Parks and Wildlife to reduce the bushfire risk in the South-West.

  • Four-year Royalties for Regions investment to increase prescribed burning
  • Additional funds to help manage fuel loadings in the South-West

The 2015-16 State Budget will provide an extra $20 million to help meet the challenge of prescribed burning in forest areas and land managed by the Department of Parks and Wildlife to reduce the bushfire risk in the South-West.

Made possible by the State Government's Royalties for Regions program, Environment Minister Albert Jacob and Regional Development Minister Terry Redman announced the funds would be delivered over four years, with an initial allocation of $3.5 million in 2015-16.

"These funds are on top of Parks and Wildlife's annual prescribed burning budget of $10 million," Mr Jacob said.

"This is a significant budget injection that enables us to fund extra positions and extended employment contracts for seasonal land management officers to expand our prescribed burning effort.

"It also gives us greater availability of contract machinery, fire trucks and water tankers, and we can increase the mobility of staff and equipment across the South-West for prescribed burning operations.

"After a summer where we experienced a number of serious bushfires in Perth and the South- West, we are focused on maximising opportunities to conduct prescribed burns in key areas, whenever the weather and conditions allow."

Mr Redman said the extra Royalties for Regions investment would bring greater security and protection to South-West communities.

"The impact of bushfires on regional communities and the environment is significant and I am pleased to see Royalties for Regions invest in the sustainable future of our South-West," he said.

"The project will also provide opportunities for local industries to be involved in the program through employment and the delivery of goods and services."

The additional funding brings Parks and Wildlife's total fire management budget to about $58.5 million for 2015-16.

Fact File

  • The main aim of prescribed burning is to manage fuel loadings effectively to help minimise the impact of bushfires
  • The Department of Parks and Wildlife has prescribed burnt an estimated 115,700 hectares in the South-West forest regions this financial year
  • For more information about preparing for bushfires, visit http://areyouready.wa.gov.au/

Environment Minister's office - 6552 5800

Regional Development Minister's office - 6552 6700

Treasurer's office - 6552 5700