Challenges Faced by the Shire of Dundas
The Shire of Dundas shoulders the primary responsibility for preventing fires that pose a threat to the Eyre Highway, the crucial transport route in Western Australia. Despite this critical role, the council received a mere $23,300 from the Emergency Services Levy for fire-fighting efforts last year. As a result, Shire chief executive Peter Fitchat emphasizes the urgent need for increased funding and resources to effectively manage fires in the area.
The Unique Landscape of the Eyre Highway
Known for its arid landscape, the Eyre Highway offers a stark contrast to the lush greenery typically associated with other regions. Travelers journeying along this long, straight road are met with a treeless expanse known as the Nullarbor, which translates to “no trees” in Latin. However, a striking transformation occurs upon reaching the highway’s western terminus, where ancient tree trunks signal the entrance to the expansive Great Western Woodlands.
Despite its status as the largest temperate woodland globally, the Great Western Woodlands remains relatively obscure. Unfortunately, this natural wonder brings little solace to the firefighters in the area. The escalating impact of climate change has led to more frequent and intense wildfires within the woodlands, occasionally necessitating the closure of the Eyre Highway – the sole sealed road connecting Western Australia and South Australia.
Recently, the Eyre Highway was temporarily closed between Norseman and Caiguna due to a raging bushfire near the Balladonia Roadhouse. This incident underscores the pressing need for enhanced fire prevention measures along the Eyre Highway to safeguard both travelers and the surrounding environment.
The recent bushfire ravaged over 20,800 hectares of bushland, marking the second closure of the road this summer due to fire. This closure followed a 12-day shutdown in the 2019-2020 period. Despite these challenges, the group responsible for managing many of these fires admits to facing severe resource shortages.
Balancing Resourcing and Responsibility
Spanning from Norseman to the WA-SA border, the Shire of Dundas encompasses a significant portion of the Great Western Woodlands.
Peter Fitchat, the chief executive, highlights the inadequate condition of footpaths in Norseman, a town with a population of approximately 500 people located two hours south of Kalgoorlie, where he operates.
Mr. Fitchat emphasized, “Beyond the central business district, there is a noticeable lack of footpaths and proper drainage.”
He added, “This is where the funding was allocated to address fire prevention on state lands, such as the Eyre Highway fire prevention.”
Peter Fitchat highlighted the mismatch between local government resources and their firefighting duties. He questioned the logic of his local government, lacking fire management expertise and having limited funding, being tasked with overseeing fires across its vast 93,179 square kilometre area. Despite the shire receiving only $23,300 from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services’ $419 million Emergency Services Levy in the previous fiscal year, this funding cannot be allocated to fire management personnel. The annual cost of fire management for the shire amounts to approximately $220,000, a significant financial burden. Any expenditure beyond the budget would necessitate approval from the council and justification to auditors. The Great Western Woodlands, as noted by ABC Goldfields’ Jarrod Lucas, stands as the largest temperate woodland globally.
Heading 1: Eyre Highway Fire Prevention in the Great Western Woodlands
In discussing the challenges faced by local governments in managing fires, Peter Fitchat emphasized the inadequacy of resources allocated to their firefighting responsibilities. Despite the significant area under their jurisdiction, these governments often lack the necessary expertise and funding to effectively handle fire management. The disparity between the allocated funds and the actual costs of fire prevention and control poses a considerable obstacle to ensuring the safety of communities within these regions.
Liability Concerns Regarding Eyre Highway Fire Prevention
During the recent Balladonia fire incident, a significant portion of the affected land was under a pastoral lease. This situation initially placed the responsibility on both the shire and the lessee.
However, Mr. Fitchat expressed concerns about the precarious position of the shire in this scenario.
He highlighted the lack of essential maps detailing safe turn-around points, water sources, as well as the presence of hazardous conditions such as large tree branches at risk of falling and numerous abandoned mine shafts scattered throughout the area.
Describing the area, he emphasized, “[The area] is not mapped, it’s overgrown, trees have fallen. So as soon as you veer off the track, you sometimes battle to get back.”
Approximately 40% of the vast Great Western Woodlands consists of mature trees. This information was shared by Emily Smith from ABC Esperance. The statement regarding the Eyre Highway fire prevention raised concerns about liability within the shire. Mt Fitchat transfers bushfire control to DFES as soon as possible, although the process can occasionally be delayed by weeks.
‘Act Quickly to Prevent Eyre Highway Fires’
Reports of the Eyre Highway fire closure from February 21-24 initially surfaced on February 7.
The Shire of Dundas alerted DFES on February 13 about the potential need for intervention once the situation worsened.
Challenges Faced by Eyre Highway in Fire Prevention
During the recent summer, the Eyre Highway encountered closures twice due to fires, as reported by ABC Goldfields’ Jarrod Lucas. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) officially closed the highway on February 19, although a DFES spokesperson mentioned that this action was taken before reaching predetermined trigger points.
Laurene Bonza, the president of Dundas Shire, expressed her concern, stating that the DFES should have responded more promptly. She emphasized the importance of addressing bushfires promptly, contrary to the belief that it is insignificant.
DFES allocated 94 personnel and nearly half a million dollars to manage the fire once it was under control. Despite these efforts, Laurene Bonza wished for a quicker resolution to the Balladonia fire.
Craig Waters, the DFES deputy commissioner of operations, explained that firefighters were initially containing the fire effectively until extreme weather conditions on February 21 caused it to breach containment lines. He clarified that water-bombers were not utilized due to the lack of suitable water sources for refilling, as they are not typically effective in combating remote woodland fires.
The local shire criticized DFES for not taking earlier action in controlling the recent Balladonia fire. The importance of proactive fire prevention measures along the Eyre Highway cannot be understated.
An Opportunity for Locals to Enhance Eyre Highway Fire Prevention
According to Mr. Fitchat, the local government has a significant role to play in firefighting and preventing future Eyre Highway closures.
However, he emphasized the necessity of obtaining relevant land access permissions, developing workplace health and safety plans, and securing state government funding for effective fire mitigation and management.
Mr. Fitchat highlighted the importance of having a guaranteed percentage of state funding allocated specifically for fire prevention. This funding would enable the creation of essential infrastructure such as roads, turn-around points, lookout points, water sources, and evacuation points to enhance safety measures and minimize risks.
### Eyre Highway Fire Prevention Efforts in Great Western Woodlands
Mr. Fitchat is advocating for specific funding allocation to oversee sections of the Great Western Woodlands. According to DFES, the shire can access funding for reducing bushfire risks on state land once it finalizes an approved bushfire risk management strategy. However, Mr. Fitchat expressed concerns about the limited size and stringent criteria of the current funding pool.
The WA Local Government Association (WALGA) highlighted the increasing strain on the mitigation funding resources, suggesting a need for its expansion to encompass a broader range of activities. In a related development, the Shire of Dundas is seeking more active involvement in post-fire evaluations to enhance future preparedness efforts.
DFES acknowledged the Shire of Dundas’ participation in the review of the significant fires that led to the closure of the highway in 2020. Despite this, Cr Bonza lamented the absence of formal debrief sessions to identify areas for improvement in subsequent incidents. She attributed this oversight to the immediate transition from firefighting operations to dealing with the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Looking ahead, Cr Bonza is optimistic about the shire’s inclusion in comprehensive post-fire discussions to ensure better coordination and response strategies. The ongoing dialogue and collaboration between stakeholders are crucial for enhancing fire prevention measures along the Eyre Highway and safeguarding the Great Western Woodlands ecosystem.
Eyre Highway Fire Prevention Stories
When it comes to Eyre Highway fire prevention, sharing stories can be a powerful tool. By recounting experiences and lessons learned, individuals and communities can gain valuable insights into the importance of fire safety measures. These stories serve as reminders of the potential risks and the impact of wildfires, prompting others to take proactive steps in preventing similar incidents. Through storytelling, the significance of fire prevention along Eyre Highway is emphasized, fostering a culture of awareness and preparedness.
Eyre Highway Fire Prevention Update: Weekend Closure Expected Due to Ongoing Bushfire
The closure of Eyre Highway is set to extend into the upcoming weekend as efforts to contain the bushfire persist.
The Nullarbor highway has been reopened following a 12-day closure due to Eyre Highway fire prevention measures.
To learn more about Eyre Highway fire prevention, you can explore the following topics:
- Bushfires
- Esperance
- Government and Politics
- Local Government
- Norseman
- Salmon Gums
- State and Territory Government
For more information on these topics, please visit our site 60time.com. And don’t forget to follow us on social media at [email protected].
