Peel Health Campus recently consulted with local Aboriginal leaders George Walley and Franklyn Nannup for advice on conducting the prescribed burn that the hospital has planned for autumn and winter.
The burn is being conducted to reduce the risk of bushfires to the hospital and other nearby commercial and residential buildings.
Along with consulting the two local leaders, Working on Fire – who is managing the burn on behalf of Ramsay Health Care – has also consulted with the City of Mandurah, Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) and the Department of Parks and Wildlife.
Mr Walley and Mr Nannup said there was much to be learnt from traditional methods to reduce the frequency of major fire events and keep the country cool.
“Burning has been part of our traditions for many years in saving flora, wildlife and potentially people’s lives by preventing large-scale bushfires,” Mr Walley said.
“You’ve got to burn it in a way that creates balance and heals the land and this will stop unseasonal fires in the future. All fires eventually regenerate the bushlands and this time of the year is good to control burn, going into winter and then spring for new growth to emerge.”
Mr Walley also directed that the fire should happen in sections to give wildlife the opportunity to escape the area that will be affected.
“The community should be aware that small animals may seek refuge in backyards across the road from the remnant bushland,” he said.
