Prescribed burns protect Lorna Glen

An annual prescribed burning program to promote biodiversity and protect assets at Lorna Glen in the northern Goldfields has started, in what is one of the world's most extensive and groundbreaking arid zone wildlife reconstruction projects.

  • DEC controlled burn program begins around Lorna Glen
  • Vital to reduce fuel load and protect important infrastructure
  • Burns help maintain ecological health

An annual prescribed burning program to promote biodiversity and protect assets at Lorna Glen in the northern Goldfields has started, in what is one of the world's most extensive and groundbreaking arid zone wildlife reconstruction projects.


Operation Rangelands Restoration, run by the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC), aims to restore 600,000ha of former pastoral lease land purchased by the State Government for conservation at Lorna Glen (Matuwa) and Earaheedy (Kurrara Kurrara) to its natural state by 2020.


Environment Minister Bill Marmion said the controlled burning program, undertaken in conjunction with the Martu people from the Wiluna Aboriginal community, was an integral part of the plan to restore ecosystem health and wildlife diversity to the area.


"11 species of native mammals that once occurred across the arid zone, but have disappeared since European settlement, are being reintroduced to Lorna Glen, with golden bandicoots, bilbies, boodies, mala, Shark Bay mice and brushtail possums already released," he said.


"Many of these releases have been inside the 1,100ha predator-proof acclimatisation compound, while a number of species have been released outside the compound in conjunction with sustained feral cat baiting.


"Prescribed burning is vital in reducing fuel to protect important infrastructure, such as the compound and homestead, against summer bushfires. It is also important for biodiversity conservation, with a mosaic of patches being burnt to maintain ecological health alongside a regime of traditional Aboriginal burning."


      Fact File

  • Since 2005, the Martu people have helped DEC to manage infrastructure and heritage values at Lorna Glen and Earaheedy, control introduced animals, manage fires, and build fences
  • The restoration of Lorna Glen's native mammal fauna is partly funded by Chevron as part of the environmental approvals for the Gorgon Joint Venture project, with boodies and bandicoots being translocated from Barrow Island
  • For more information, go to: http://www.dec.wa.gov.au/content/view/5779/1808/

Minister's office - 9220 5000