In the wake of the recent Waroona and Teasedale fires and with the increasing threat of bushfire in the Peel and South West regions, the Shire of Murray is taking a proactive approach to emergency management.
At a recent meeting, it voted in support of allocating $50,000 of in-kind works as part of its 2016/17 civil works program towards the upgrade of Wheeler Airfield.
“Wheeler Airfield is an important link for fire operations within the district, Peel region and adjoining regions given its district central, semi-isolated location, availability of water and orientation of its airstrip with the prevailing summer wind patterns,” Shire President Cr Maree Reid said.
“During the recent Waroona fire, the Wheeler Airstrip proved pivotal in fighting the massive blaze by accommodating over 440 aircraft movements and allowing for the supply and transportation of 1,209,600 litres of water to the fire zone.”
For the last two years the number of bushfires attended in the Shire of Murray has increased to over 320 a year, up from an average of 221 a year in the seven years preceding.
In addition, significant portions of the South West have been declared fire-prone areas.
“Given the challenges of managing and fighting bushfires there is a very real need to upgrade the facilities at the Wheeler Airfield,” said Cr Reid.
Since 1998 Wheeler Airfield has been used by fixed wing aircraft for firefighting air operations due to its central location, 65 kilometres north of Bunbury, 44 kilometres south of the Serpentine Airfield, 76 kilometres south of Jandakot and 28 kilometres south-west of Dwellingup.
The privately owned facility houses a spring fed dam of significant capacity and three interconnected runways, the layout of which provides for efficient traffic management for the arrival and departure of fixed wing aircraft under varying wind conditions.
“Emergency services and the Shire of Murray have appreciated the ongoing support of the landowner for the airfields use for firefighting operations,” said Cr Reid.
The upgrade of the airfield would have several priorities including the widening of the main runway, resurfacing and extension of the two supplementary runways and enlarging the dam to double its volume.
A later priority would be the housing of transportable accommodation and facilities at the airstrip to accommodate pilots and aircraft overnight or for extended periods to maintain firefighting capabilities in Murray and its surrounding districts.
Council also delegated authority to shire chief Dean Unsworth to negotiate a lease with the landowner at Wheeler Airfield to house pilot transportable building accommodation and facilities.
The Shire of Murray has received in-principle offers of financial support from the City of Mandurah and Shires of Waroona and Boddington.
“The Department of Fire and Emergency Services has refused to provide any financial support for this critically important facility,” Mr Unsworth said.