Last Tuesday morning, the bushland bordering Thisbe Drive in Dawesville set alight in a significant fire.
The blaze, attended and eventually contained by emergency services, drew a number of residents out of their homes, to watch in case the fire encroached on their properties.
Resident Peter Banks said he hoped the fire was a wake-up call for the City of Mandurah to create a better system for fire management in the area.
“We’re concerned because we’ve got bush up to our fences, we’re right on that huge scarp there... if a fire does start there, they’re not going to stop it,” he said, referencing the bush that borders Estuary Drive, which on Tuesday luckily did not catch alight.
“I spoke to a fire officer up there today, and he said that bit at the back of our property was a disgrace,” Mr Banks said.
“For a firey to tell me that’s a disgrace… well, we’ve been concerned about it for a long time.
I’ve been here 12 years, it’s never been touched, they’ve never done any burning back or anything.”
In November 2016, Mr Banks along with neighbours Chris Chequer and Geoff Thunder send a letter to the city, requesting they:
- clear and re-establish fire breaks on lots bounded by Old Coast Road, Estuary Drive, Thisbe Drive, and Channel Heights Estate
- clear the bushland of fire hazards such as weed growth, fallen shrubs, overhanging branches etc.
- employ ‘cool burns’ in winter and ‘back burns’ to reduce fuel loads
Mr Banks said at the time the letter did not receive a response, but he hopes the recent fire would force them to act.
“They could’ve done a bit each year, starting where the houses are, with a westerly, and back-burned it to a decent fire break, and that’s what in my opinion they should’ve been doing,” he said.
“I just believe they haven’t learnt what happened down at Esperence, what happened in Margaret River, the south-west, Waroona.”
City chief Mark Newman said the city takes bushfire management seriously, incorporating assistance from fire experts, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES), the Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPAW) and local volunteer fire brigades.
“The fire management requirements for this area are being developed and will form part of the City of Mandurah's Bushfire Management Strategy,” Mr Newman said.
“The City have had bushfire risk assessments completed on 18 major reserves and are implementing the treatments recommended by a bushfire consultant.”
He said the city was working with DFES to develop treatment plans over land holdings such as those addressed in Mr Banks’ letter, which may include prescribed burning, fire management plans, vegetation management strategies, fire breaks, community education and enforcement.
He said after receiving Mr Banks’ letter they city implemented works, in addition to the annual progam, in the area near Enchantress Lane.
“The City will consider this location as part of the plans being developed in conjunction with DFES,” Mr Newman said.
“We are working through all land holdings to develop risk mitigation plans and the surrounding area will be included.”
