The purpose of the BRMP is to effectively manage bushfire risk within the City in order to protect people, assets and other things of local value. Specifically the objectives are to:
The City employs a number of methods to mitigate the risk of bushfire in the region. Mitigation activities include building firebreaks, chemical and mechanical treatments, as well as reducing fuel loads and hazard reduction burns to minimise the potential risks of fires.
If you have any questions regarding the City’s Bushfire Risk Management Plan, please contact the City's Bushfire Mitigation Officer on 08 9781 0444 or email city@busselton.wa.gov.au
A bushfire plan can help keep you and your family safe. Create a bushfire plan in just 15mins, visit DFES.
Mechanical Treatments
Mechanical treatments can be used to target specific areas and plant types while avoiding sensitive areas. Examples of mechanical treatments used by the City includes slashing, mulching and parkland clearing.
Slashing - Involves the mowing of grasses using either a tractor or compact track loader with a slasher attachment.
Mulching - where machinery is used to cut and grind vegetation into chips, which is then left as a ground covering to delay weed growth.
Parkland Clearing - a combination of slashing and mulching. The understorey is treated while the tree canopy remains.
Benefits:
- Treatments break up the fuel continuity, both vertically and horizontally, which slows down the spread of a bushfire and makes it easier to control a fire if it did start.
- Creates a buffer between vegetation and assets.
- Improves access and safety for fight fighters in the case of a bushfire.
- Does not create any smoke.
- Treatments can be carried out when weather inhibits planned burning.
- Treatments are not as resource heavy as planned burning.
Risks:
- Limited by steep slopes and wet weather.
- Noisy machines may impact locals.
- Traffic management required along road reserves.
- Can be costly
- Machines can be difficult to source.
- Machinery has the potential to spread dieback and weeds.
- Where machines have disturbed the soil, it may be susceptible to erosion.
- Sites that have been mulched or cleared may be unsightly following works.
Firebreaks
Installing a firebreak involves clearing a strip of land using a grader or tractor with a grading attachment. Firebreaks are installed to protect assets. The City issues firebreak notices annually to advise landowners of their firebreak responsibilities.
Benefits:
- Creates a barrier between assets and vegetation
- Provides access for firefighters.
- Can provide a means for tactical firefighting and backburning.
- Can slow the rate of spread in the case of a bushfire.
Risks:
- Dependant on landowners to conduct maintenance to be an effective mitigation treatment.
- While it can assist in slowing a bushfire, embers can cross firebreaks when carried by wind.
Chemical Treatments
Herbicides are applied to weeds with direct, targeted application. This treatment can also be used to prevent the germination of invasive species to encourage the growth of native plants. This treatment is most effective when combined with mechanical treatments or applied after a planned burn.
Benefit:
- Can be applied on steeper slopes and target individual plants or larger areas, if required.
Risks:
- Limited by wet weather and not recommended in environmentally sensitive areas.
- Only approved chemicals can be used and applied by a licenced operator.
- Can be costly.
Planned Burning
Planned burning can be an effective way to reduce vegetation from an area, copying a natural bushfire at much cooler conditions that are easier to manage. This treatment method is carried out to protect life, community assets and infrastructure, as well as to protect natural resources and species from damage from bushfire by reducing the vegetation fuel load within City managed reserves. Planned burning is done under cool burn conditions with experienced personnel onsite to monitor the burn intensity.
Benefits:
- Can cover a much larger area faster than other treatments, creating a mosaic of burnt and unburnt areas for fauna to remain in the area.
- A way to remove areas of invasive species and encourage the growth of native species from seed stored in the soil.
- Low cost.
Risks:
- Weather conditions can change and increase the intensity of the burn, potentially impacting local flora and fauna.
- There may be burning material, smoke and ash in the area during the burns and for several days following the burn.
Mitigation Works 2023- 2024
Mitigation work completed in the 2023/2024 financial year included:
- Creekview Road – Road side verge fuel reduction
- Siesta Park Road – Fuel reduction
- Fernbrook way – Fuel reduction
- College Ave – Fuel reduction
- Yoongarillup Reserve – Prescribed burn
- Walpole Loop – Fuel reduction
- Vasse-Yallingup Siding Road - Fuel reduction
- St Andrews Lane – Road side verge fuel reduction
- Meadow View - Fuel reduction
- Canal Rocks Road – Road side verge fuel reduction
- Hemsley Road – Road side verge fuel reduction
- Riedel Park - Fuel reduction
- Riedel Park – Firebreak / Access track
- Ambergate Reserve – Road side verge fuel reduction
- Ambergate Reserve - Prescribed burn
- Seaview Rise – Prescribed burn
- Yallingup Beach Road – Road side verge fuel reduction
- Whittle Road - Road side verge fuel reduction
- Lagoon Drive – Firebreak / Access track
- Quedjinmia Reserve - Firebreak / Access track
- Bird Crescent Reserve – Prescribed burn
- Okapa Rise Reserve – Fuel reduction
- Cornerstone Way – Fuel reduction
- Marri Reserve - Prescribed burn
- Dunsborough Waste Management Facility - Prescribed burn
- Yungarra-Caves Rd Reserve - Prescribed burn
Mitigation Works 2024- 2025
The City is continuing its work in reducing the risk and impact of bushfires.
In July additional funding was received from the Mitigation Activities Fund Grant program for 26 treatments.
The main focus of this round is to improve the standard and condition of the City’s strategic fire break network, clearing and removing overgrown vegetation to help ensure the safe and obstructed passage for our firefighting appliances.
Some work is also being done to reduce fuel loads and improve visibility on Strategic roads that serve as evacuation routes for residents and visitors and to reduce fuel loads in City managed reserves.
Work under the Bushfire Mitigation Program is currently being undertaken in the following areas:
Work completed so far this year
- Armstrong Road Reserve – Fuel reduction
- Jarrah Knoll Place – Fuel Reduction
- Koopin Place Reserve – Fire Access Track Clearing
- Lochinvar Place – Fire Access Track Clearing
- Near Marron Rise – Fire Access Track Clearing
- Okapa Rise – Fire Access Track Clearing
- Ridgeway Drive – Fuel Reduction
- Schooner Crescent – Fuel Reduction
- Vidler Road – Road side verge Fuel Reduction
- Wisteria Drive – Fire Access Track Clearing
- Yoongarillup Reserve - Prescribed burn
- Yallingup Beach - Fuel Reduction
- Wyadup Road – Road side verge Fuel Reduction
- Butterly Road – Fire Access Track Clearing
- Carnarvon Castle Drive – Fire Access Track Clearing
- Caves Road – Fuel reduction
- Cornerstone Way – Fire Access Track Clearing
- Corymbia Close – Fire Access Track Clearing
- Smiths Beach Road – Fire Access Track Clearing
- Vickery Street – Road side verge Fuel Reduction
Work scheduled to be completed by December 2024
- Glover Road – Fire Access Track Clearing
- Hebrides Close – Fire Access Track Clearing
- The Dell Retreat – Fire Access Track Clearing
The City has submitted a second round application to the 2024/2025 Mitigation Activity Fund Grant program to continue the work in 2025 to reduce the bushfire risk on City managed land.