The City of Mandurah has moved to ease community fears endangered native orchids will be destroyed during prescribed burning in Falcon.
A letter written by an anonymous resident published in the press claimed there are a number of different rare species of orchids at Linville Reserve in Falcon – an area on the City’s list for prescribed burning this season.
However, City of Mandurah chief executive Mark Newman said the claims were exaggerated and “hurtful” to the environment team.
“The City of Mandurah and the volunteer fire brigades have been very careful to protect the environment during important controlled burns,” he said.
“The city consulted with local Aboriginal elder George Walley, who supported the traditional land preservation technique.
“It is also important to note that prescribed burns are necessary to protect local residents and to ameliorate the impact on local flora and fauna in the case of uncontrolled bush fires fuelled by excessive fuel loads.
“The city acknowledges that there a number of orchids on site, however, according to available records from the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions, none that are rare or endangered.
“A wander through the reserve clearly demonstrate that the burn was very successful in reducing the fuel load of the grass tree skirts, with minimal harm to the orchids.
“The City of Mandurah takes our responsibility to protect our environment very seriously, working collaboratively to ensure bushfire mitigation supports biodiversity. The environment team is passionate about the protection of our fauna and flora and works closely with our weed eradication staff.”