❓ A parliamentary question addresses a prescribed burn conducted by the Department of Conservation and Land Management near Two Peoples Bay, focusing on its purpose, extent, impact on the endangered noisy scrub bird, and subsequent inquiry. The burn exceeded planned boundaries, impacting scrub bird habitat, but aimed to protect the area from wildfires.
AnsweredQoN 596Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Did the Department of Conservation and Land Management recently ignite a prescribed burn in the Two Peoples Bay nature reserve? If yes, on what day and at what time? (2) What was the purpose of the burn? (3) Did the burn get out of control? If yes, why? (4) How much of the reserve was planned to be burnt, and how much was actually burnt? (5) Were bulldozers sent into the reserve? (6) Was the habitat of the endangered noisy scrub bird burnt in the fire? If yes, how much was burnt? (7) Was this habitat planned to be burnt? (8) Were any noisy scrub birds killed? (9) What inquiry into the cause of the escape and damage done by the fire to the reserve and to the noisy scrub bird will be conducted? Hon TOM STEPHENS
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) No. A prescribed burn was lit on the western boundary of the Waychinicup National Park and adjoining crown land. The burn was ignited at 11.00 am on Wednesday, 19 September 2001. (2) The purpose of the burn was to provide a strategic fuel-reduced buffer for the protection of conservation values within the Waychinicup National Park, Mt Manypeaks Nature Reserve and adjoining crown lands, which contain habitat for the noisy scrub bird. The buffer would reduce the risk of fires emanating from adjoining private land from threatening the park. The burn was also to protect adjacent private property from wildfire emanating within the park and adjoining lands. The noisy scrub bird was considered to be extinct until its rediscovery in 1961. At the time of its rediscovery, the noisy scrub bird population was very small and confined to the Mt Gardner area and near the current picnic area at Two Peoples Bay. Through an active program of habitat management and translocations, as documented in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 1996 noisy scrub bird recovery plan, the range of the scrub birds has been extended and its population size has increased within the Two Peoples Bay nature reserve and beyond, including the Waychinicup-Mt Manypeaks area. On 28 December 2000, a wildfire of 6 300 hectares had a significant impact on the Two Peoples Bay scrub bird population. Of the 110 territories counted in the 2000 census, an estimated 60 were burnt. This represents a loss of approximately 54 per cent of the singing males in the Two Peoples Bay subpopulation. It is the adult males that establish territories, and scrub bird numbers are censused by counting the number of singing males. This fire demonstrated the significant risk to noisy scrub birds and other fauna habitats from large fires. The prescribed burn to establish a strategic low-fuel buffer in Waychinicup National Park should be considered in this context. The area burnt exceeded the planned size. (3) An open-edged prescribed burn was programmed to provide the strategic buffer. The open-edged burn did not extinguish overnight as anticipated; this had occurred in other burns earlier that week. I presume that means that it had extinguished overnight - or I hope that is what it means. (4) Due to the open-edged nature of the prescribed burn, an exact figure for the anticipated burn size was not determined. However, it was expected that 200 to 300 hectares would be burnt. The area burnt was approximately 700 hectares. (5) Yes. A bulldozer was used to contain a portion of the eastern flank of the fire. (6) Yes. Approximately 20 territories were affected. This number will be confirmed by a field audit currently under way. More than 570 territories east of the strategic buffer will now be afforded significant protection as a consequence of the prescribed burn that was carried out. (7) Yes. A number of territories were planned to be burnt. Prior to the burn, several noisy scrub birds were caught and translocated. (8) Because the bird is highly territorial, it is likely that some birds were killed. It is possible that some scrub birds would have survived the fire because of the very low to moderate intensity fire behaviour. (9) The department will conduct a post-fire analysis to determine the factors that contributed towards the fire. An audit of noisy scrub bird territories known within the fire boundary will be conducted.
(2) What was the purpose of the burn? (3) Did the burn get out of control? If yes, why? (4) How much of the reserve was planned to be burnt, and how much was actually burnt? (5) Were bulldozers sent into the reserve? (6) Was the habitat of the endangered noisy scrub bird burnt in the fire? If yes, how much was burnt? (7) Was this habitat planned to be burnt? (8) Were any noisy scrub birds killed? (9) What inquiry into the cause of the escape and damage done by the fire to the reserve and to the noisy scrub bird will be conducted? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) No. A prescribed burn was lit on the western boundary of the Waychinicup National Park and adjoining crown land. The burn was ignited at 11.00 am on Wednesday, 19 September 2001. (2) The purpose of the burn was to provide a strategic fuel-reduced buffer for the protection of conservation values within the Waychinicup National Park, Mt Manypeaks Nature Reserve and adjoining crown lands, which contain habitat for the noisy scrub bird. The buffer would reduce the risk of fires emanating from adjoining private land from threatening the park. The burn was also to protect adjacent private property from wildfire emanating within the park and adjoining lands. The noisy scrub bird was considered to be extinct until its rediscovery in 1961. At the time of its rediscovery, the noisy scrub bird population was very small and confined to the Mt Gardner area and near the current picnic area at Two Peoples Bay. Through an active program of habitat management and translocations, as documented in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 1996 noisy scrub bird recovery plan, the range of the scrub birds has been extended and its population size has increased within the Two Peoples Bay nature reserve and beyond, including the Waychinicup-Mt Manypeaks area. On 28 December 2000, a wildfire of 6 300 hectares had a significant impact on the Two Peoples Bay scrub bird population. Of the 110 territories counted in the 2000 census, an estimated 60 were burnt. This represents a loss of approximately 54 per cent of the singing males in the Two Peoples Bay subpopulation. It is the adult males that establish territories, and scrub bird numbers are censused by counting the number of singing males. This fire demonstrated the significant risk to noisy scrub birds and other fauna habitats from large fires. The prescribed burn to establish a strategic low-fuel buffer in Waychinicup National Park should be considered in this context. The area burnt exceeded the planned size. (3) An open-edged prescribed burn was programmed to provide the strategic buffer. The open-edged burn did not extinguish overnight as anticipated; this had occurred in other burns earlier that week. I presume that means that it had extinguished overnight - or I hope that is what it means. (4) Due to the open-edged nature of the prescribed burn, an exact figure for the anticipated burn size was not determined. However, it was expected that 200 to 300 hectares would be burnt. The area burnt was approximately 700 hectares. (5) Yes. A bulldozer was used to contain a portion of the eastern flank of the fire. (6) Yes. Approximately 20 territories were affected. This number will be confirmed by a field audit currently under way. More than 570 territories east of the strategic buffer will now be afforded significant protection as a consequence of the prescribed burn that was carried out. (7) Yes. A number of territories were planned to be burnt. Prior to the burn, several noisy scrub birds were caught and translocated. (8) Because the bird is highly territorial, it is likely that some birds were killed. It is possible that some scrub birds would have survived the fire because of the very low to moderate intensity fire behaviour. (9) The department will conduct a post-fire analysis to determine the factors that contributed towards the fire. An audit of noisy scrub bird territories known within the fire boundary will be conducted.
(3) Did the burn get out of control? If yes, why? (4) How much of the reserve was planned to be burnt, and how much was actually burnt? (5) Were bulldozers sent into the reserve? (6) Was the habitat of the endangered noisy scrub bird burnt in the fire? If yes, how much was burnt? (7) Was this habitat planned to be burnt? (8) Were any noisy scrub birds killed? (9) What inquiry into the cause of the escape and damage done by the fire to the reserve and to the noisy scrub bird will be conducted? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) No. A prescribed burn was lit on the western boundary of the Waychinicup National Park and adjoining crown land. The burn was ignited at 11.00 am on Wednesday, 19 September 2001. (2) The purpose of the burn was to provide a strategic fuel-reduced buffer for the protection of conservation values within the Waychinicup National Park, Mt Manypeaks Nature Reserve and adjoining crown lands, which contain habitat for the noisy scrub bird. The buffer would reduce the risk of fires emanating from adjoining private land from threatening the park. The burn was also to protect adjacent private property from wildfire emanating within the park and adjoining lands. The noisy scrub bird was considered to be extinct until its rediscovery in 1961. At the time of its rediscovery, the noisy scrub bird population was very small and confined to the Mt Gardner area and near the current picnic area at Two Peoples Bay. Through an active program of habitat management and translocations, as documented in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 1996 noisy scrub bird recovery plan, the range of the scrub birds has been extended and its population size has increased within the Two Peoples Bay nature reserve and beyond, including the Waychinicup-Mt Manypeaks area. On 28 December 2000, a wildfire of 6 300 hectares had a significant impact on the Two Peoples Bay scrub bird population. Of the 110 territories counted in the 2000 census, an estimated 60 were burnt. This represents a loss of approximately 54 per cent of the singing males in the Two Peoples Bay subpopulation. It is the adult males that establish territories, and scrub bird numbers are censused by counting the number of singing males. This fire demonstrated the significant risk to noisy scrub birds and other fauna habitats from large fires. The prescribed burn to establish a strategic low-fuel buffer in Waychinicup National Park should be considered in this context. The area burnt exceeded the planned size. (3) An open-edged prescribed burn was programmed to provide the strategic buffer. The open-edged burn did not extinguish overnight as anticipated; this had occurred in other burns earlier that week. I presume that means that it had extinguished overnight - or I hope that is what it means. (4) Due to the open-edged nature of the prescribed burn, an exact figure for the anticipated burn size was not determined. However, it was expected that 200 to 300 hectares would be burnt. The area burnt was approximately 700 hectares. (5) Yes. A bulldozer was used to contain a portion of the eastern flank of the fire. (6) Yes. Approximately 20 territories were affected. This number will be confirmed by a field audit currently under way. More than 570 territories east of the strategic buffer will now be afforded significant protection as a consequence of the prescribed burn that was carried out. (7) Yes. A number of territories were planned to be burnt. Prior to the burn, several noisy scrub birds were caught and translocated. (8) Because the bird is highly territorial, it is likely that some birds were killed. It is possible that some scrub birds would have survived the fire because of the very low to moderate intensity fire behaviour. (9) The department will conduct a post-fire analysis to determine the factors that contributed towards the fire. An audit of noisy scrub bird territories known within the fire boundary will be conducted.
(4) How much of the reserve was planned to be burnt, and how much was actually burnt? (5) Were bulldozers sent into the reserve? (6) Was the habitat of the endangered noisy scrub bird burnt in the fire? If yes, how much was burnt? (7) Was this habitat planned to be burnt? (8) Were any noisy scrub birds killed? (9) What inquiry into the cause of the escape and damage done by the fire to the reserve and to the noisy scrub bird will be conducted? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) No. A prescribed burn was lit on the western boundary of the Waychinicup National Park and adjoining crown land. The burn was ignited at 11.00 am on Wednesday, 19 September 2001. (2) The purpose of the burn was to provide a strategic fuel-reduced buffer for the protection of conservation values within the Waychinicup National Park, Mt Manypeaks Nature Reserve and adjoining crown lands, which contain habitat for the noisy scrub bird. The buffer would reduce the risk of fires emanating from adjoining private land from threatening the park. The burn was also to protect adjacent private property from wildfire emanating within the park and adjoining lands. The noisy scrub bird was considered to be extinct until its rediscovery in 1961. At the time of its rediscovery, the noisy scrub bird population was very small and confined to the Mt Gardner area and near the current picnic area at Two Peoples Bay. Through an active program of habitat management and translocations, as documented in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 1996 noisy scrub bird recovery plan, the range of the scrub birds has been extended and its population size has increased within the Two Peoples Bay nature reserve and beyond, including the Waychinicup-Mt Manypeaks area. On 28 December 2000, a wildfire of 6 300 hectares had a significant impact on the Two Peoples Bay scrub bird population. Of the 110 territories counted in the 2000 census, an estimated 60 were burnt. This represents a loss of approximately 54 per cent of the singing males in the Two Peoples Bay subpopulation. It is the adult males that establish territories, and scrub bird numbers are censused by counting the number of singing males. This fire demonstrated the significant risk to noisy scrub birds and other fauna habitats from large fires. The prescribed burn to establish a strategic low-fuel buffer in Waychinicup National Park should be considered in this context. The area burnt exceeded the planned size. (3) An open-edged prescribed burn was programmed to provide the strategic buffer. The open-edged burn did not extinguish overnight as anticipated; this had occurred in other burns earlier that week. I presume that means that it had extinguished overnight - or I hope that is what it means. (4) Due to the open-edged nature of the prescribed burn, an exact figure for the anticipated burn size was not determined. However, it was expected that 200 to 300 hectares would be burnt. The area burnt was approximately 700 hectares. (5) Yes. A bulldozer was used to contain a portion of the eastern flank of the fire. (6) Yes. Approximately 20 territories were affected. This number will be confirmed by a field audit currently under way. More than 570 territories east of the strategic buffer will now be afforded significant protection as a consequence of the prescribed burn that was carried out. (7) Yes. A number of territories were planned to be burnt. Prior to the burn, several noisy scrub birds were caught and translocated. (8) Because the bird is highly territorial, it is likely that some birds were killed. It is possible that some scrub birds would have survived the fire because of the very low to moderate intensity fire behaviour. (9) The department will conduct a post-fire analysis to determine the factors that contributed towards the fire. An audit of noisy scrub bird territories known within the fire boundary will be conducted.
(5) Were bulldozers sent into the reserve? (6) Was the habitat of the endangered noisy scrub bird burnt in the fire? If yes, how much was burnt? (7) Was this habitat planned to be burnt? (8) Were any noisy scrub birds killed? (9) What inquiry into the cause of the escape and damage done by the fire to the reserve and to the noisy scrub bird will be conducted? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) No. A prescribed burn was lit on the western boundary of the Waychinicup National Park and adjoining crown land. The burn was ignited at 11.00 am on Wednesday, 19 September 2001. (2) The purpose of the burn was to provide a strategic fuel-reduced buffer for the protection of conservation values within the Waychinicup National Park, Mt Manypeaks Nature Reserve and adjoining crown lands, which contain habitat for the noisy scrub bird. The buffer would reduce the risk of fires emanating from adjoining private land from threatening the park. The burn was also to protect adjacent private property from wildfire emanating within the park and adjoining lands. The noisy scrub bird was considered to be extinct until its rediscovery in 1961. At the time of its rediscovery, the noisy scrub bird population was very small and confined to the Mt Gardner area and near the current picnic area at Two Peoples Bay. Through an active program of habitat management and translocations, as documented in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 1996 noisy scrub bird recovery plan, the range of the scrub birds has been extended and its population size has increased within the Two Peoples Bay nature reserve and beyond, including the Waychinicup-Mt Manypeaks area. On 28 December 2000, a wildfire of 6 300 hectares had a significant impact on the Two Peoples Bay scrub bird population. Of the 110 territories counted in the 2000 census, an estimated 60 were burnt. This represents a loss of approximately 54 per cent of the singing males in the Two Peoples Bay subpopulation. It is the adult males that establish territories, and scrub bird numbers are censused by counting the number of singing males. This fire demonstrated the significant risk to noisy scrub birds and other fauna habitats from large fires. The prescribed burn to establish a strategic low-fuel buffer in Waychinicup National Park should be considered in this context. The area burnt exceeded the planned size. (3) An open-edged prescribed burn was programmed to provide the strategic buffer. The open-edged burn did not extinguish overnight as anticipated; this had occurred in other burns earlier that week. I presume that means that it had extinguished overnight - or I hope that is what it means. (4) Due to the open-edged nature of the prescribed burn, an exact figure for the anticipated burn size was not determined. However, it was expected that 200 to 300 hectares would be burnt. The area burnt was approximately 700 hectares. (5) Yes. A bulldozer was used to contain a portion of the eastern flank of the fire. (6) Yes. Approximately 20 territories were affected. This number will be confirmed by a field audit currently under way. More than 570 territories east of the strategic buffer will now be afforded significant protection as a consequence of the prescribed burn that was carried out. (7) Yes. A number of territories were planned to be burnt. Prior to the burn, several noisy scrub birds were caught and translocated. (8) Because the bird is highly territorial, it is likely that some birds were killed. It is possible that some scrub birds would have survived the fire because of the very low to moderate intensity fire behaviour. (9) The department will conduct a post-fire analysis to determine the factors that contributed towards the fire. An audit of noisy scrub bird territories known within the fire boundary will be conducted.
(6) Was the habitat of the endangered noisy scrub bird burnt in the fire? If yes, how much was burnt? (7) Was this habitat planned to be burnt? (8) Were any noisy scrub birds killed? (9) What inquiry into the cause of the escape and damage done by the fire to the reserve and to the noisy scrub bird will be conducted? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) No. A prescribed burn was lit on the western boundary of the Waychinicup National Park and adjoining crown land. The burn was ignited at 11.00 am on Wednesday, 19 September 2001. (2) The purpose of the burn was to provide a strategic fuel-reduced buffer for the protection of conservation values within the Waychinicup National Park, Mt Manypeaks Nature Reserve and adjoining crown lands, which contain habitat for the noisy scrub bird. The buffer would reduce the risk of fires emanating from adjoining private land from threatening the park. The burn was also to protect adjacent private property from wildfire emanating within the park and adjoining lands. The noisy scrub bird was considered to be extinct until its rediscovery in 1961. At the time of its rediscovery, the noisy scrub bird population was very small and confined to the Mt Gardner area and near the current picnic area at Two Peoples Bay. Through an active program of habitat management and translocations, as documented in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 1996 noisy scrub bird recovery plan, the range of the scrub birds has been extended and its population size has increased within the Two Peoples Bay nature reserve and beyond, including the Waychinicup-Mt Manypeaks area. On 28 December 2000, a wildfire of 6 300 hectares had a significant impact on the Two Peoples Bay scrub bird population. Of the 110 territories counted in the 2000 census, an estimated 60 were burnt. This represents a loss of approximately 54 per cent of the singing males in the Two Peoples Bay subpopulation. It is the adult males that establish territories, and scrub bird numbers are censused by counting the number of singing males. This fire demonstrated the significant risk to noisy scrub birds and other fauna habitats from large fires. The prescribed burn to establish a strategic low-fuel buffer in Waychinicup National Park should be considered in this context. The area burnt exceeded the planned size. (3) An open-edged prescribed burn was programmed to provide the strategic buffer. The open-edged burn did not extinguish overnight as anticipated; this had occurred in other burns earlier that week. I presume that means that it had extinguished overnight - or I hope that is what it means. (4) Due to the open-edged nature of the prescribed burn, an exact figure for the anticipated burn size was not determined. However, it was expected that 200 to 300 hectares would be burnt. The area burnt was approximately 700 hectares. (5) Yes. A bulldozer was used to contain a portion of the eastern flank of the fire. (6) Yes. Approximately 20 territories were affected. This number will be confirmed by a field audit currently under way. More than 570 territories east of the strategic buffer will now be afforded significant protection as a consequence of the prescribed burn that was carried out. (7) Yes. A number of territories were planned to be burnt. Prior to the burn, several noisy scrub birds were caught and translocated. (8) Because the bird is highly territorial, it is likely that some birds were killed. It is possible that some scrub birds would have survived the fire because of the very low to moderate intensity fire behaviour. (9) The department will conduct a post-fire analysis to determine the factors that contributed towards the fire. An audit of noisy scrub bird territories known within the fire boundary will be conducted.
(7) Was this habitat planned to be burnt? (8) Were any noisy scrub birds killed? (9) What inquiry into the cause of the escape and damage done by the fire to the reserve and to the noisy scrub bird will be conducted? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) No. A prescribed burn was lit on the western boundary of the Waychinicup National Park and adjoining crown land. The burn was ignited at 11.00 am on Wednesday, 19 September 2001. (2) The purpose of the burn was to provide a strategic fuel-reduced buffer for the protection of conservation values within the Waychinicup National Park, Mt Manypeaks Nature Reserve and adjoining crown lands, which contain habitat for the noisy scrub bird. The buffer would reduce the risk of fires emanating from adjoining private land from threatening the park. The burn was also to protect adjacent private property from wildfire emanating within the park and adjoining lands. The noisy scrub bird was considered to be extinct until its rediscovery in 1961. At the time of its rediscovery, the noisy scrub bird population was very small and confined to the Mt Gardner area and near the current picnic area at Two Peoples Bay. Through an active program of habitat management and translocations, as documented in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 1996 noisy scrub bird recovery plan, the range of the scrub birds has been extended and its population size has increased within the Two Peoples Bay nature reserve and beyond, including the Waychinicup-Mt Manypeaks area. On 28 December 2000, a wildfire of 6 300 hectares had a significant impact on the Two Peoples Bay scrub bird population. Of the 110 territories counted in the 2000 census, an estimated 60 were burnt. This represents a loss of approximately 54 per cent of the singing males in the Two Peoples Bay subpopulation. It is the adult males that establish territories, and scrub bird numbers are censused by counting the number of singing males. This fire demonstrated the significant risk to noisy scrub birds and other fauna habitats from large fires. The prescribed burn to establish a strategic low-fuel buffer in Waychinicup National Park should be considered in this context. The area burnt exceeded the planned size. (3) An open-edged prescribed burn was programmed to provide the strategic buffer. The open-edged burn did not extinguish overnight as anticipated; this had occurred in other burns earlier that week. I presume that means that it had extinguished overnight - or I hope that is what it means. (4) Due to the open-edged nature of the prescribed burn, an exact figure for the anticipated burn size was not determined. However, it was expected that 200 to 300 hectares would be burnt. The area burnt was approximately 700 hectares. (5) Yes. A bulldozer was used to contain a portion of the eastern flank of the fire. (6) Yes. Approximately 20 territories were affected. This number will be confirmed by a field audit currently under way. More than 570 territories east of the strategic buffer will now be afforded significant protection as a consequence of the prescribed burn that was carried out. (7) Yes. A number of territories were planned to be burnt. Prior to the burn, several noisy scrub birds were caught and translocated. (8) Because the bird is highly territorial, it is likely that some birds were killed. It is possible that some scrub birds would have survived the fire because of the very low to moderate intensity fire behaviour. (9) The department will conduct a post-fire analysis to determine the factors that contributed towards the fire. An audit of noisy scrub bird territories known within the fire boundary will be conducted.
(8) Were any noisy scrub birds killed? (9) What inquiry into the cause of the escape and damage done by the fire to the reserve and to the noisy scrub bird will be conducted? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) No. A prescribed burn was lit on the western boundary of the Waychinicup National Park and adjoining crown land. The burn was ignited at 11.00 am on Wednesday, 19 September 2001. (2) The purpose of the burn was to provide a strategic fuel-reduced buffer for the protection of conservation values within the Waychinicup National Park, Mt Manypeaks Nature Reserve and adjoining crown lands, which contain habitat for the noisy scrub bird. The buffer would reduce the risk of fires emanating from adjoining private land from threatening the park. The burn was also to protect adjacent private property from wildfire emanating within the park and adjoining lands. The noisy scrub bird was considered to be extinct until its rediscovery in 1961. At the time of its rediscovery, the noisy scrub bird population was very small and confined to the Mt Gardner area and near the current picnic area at Two Peoples Bay. Through an active program of habitat management and translocations, as documented in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 1996 noisy scrub bird recovery plan, the range of the scrub birds has been extended and its population size has increased within the Two Peoples Bay nature reserve and beyond, including the Waychinicup-Mt Manypeaks area. On 28 December 2000, a wildfire of 6 300 hectares had a significant impact on the Two Peoples Bay scrub bird population. Of the 110 territories counted in the 2000 census, an estimated 60 were burnt. This represents a loss of approximately 54 per cent of the singing males in the Two Peoples Bay subpopulation. It is the adult males that establish territories, and scrub bird numbers are censused by counting the number of singing males. This fire demonstrated the significant risk to noisy scrub birds and other fauna habitats from large fires. The prescribed burn to establish a strategic low-fuel buffer in Waychinicup National Park should be considered in this context. The area burnt exceeded the planned size. (3) An open-edged prescribed burn was programmed to provide the strategic buffer. The open-edged burn did not extinguish overnight as anticipated; this had occurred in other burns earlier that week. I presume that means that it had extinguished overnight - or I hope that is what it means. (4) Due to the open-edged nature of the prescribed burn, an exact figure for the anticipated burn size was not determined. However, it was expected that 200 to 300 hectares would be burnt. The area burnt was approximately 700 hectares. (5) Yes. A bulldozer was used to contain a portion of the eastern flank of the fire. (6) Yes. Approximately 20 territories were affected. This number will be confirmed by a field audit currently under way. More than 570 territories east of the strategic buffer will now be afforded significant protection as a consequence of the prescribed burn that was carried out. (7) Yes. A number of territories were planned to be burnt. Prior to the burn, several noisy scrub birds were caught and translocated. (8) Because the bird is highly territorial, it is likely that some birds were killed. It is possible that some scrub birds would have survived the fire because of the very low to moderate intensity fire behaviour. (9) The department will conduct a post-fire analysis to determine the factors that contributed towards the fire. An audit of noisy scrub bird territories known within the fire boundary will be conducted.
(9) What inquiry into the cause of the escape and damage done by the fire to the reserve and to the noisy scrub bird will be conducted? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) No. A prescribed burn was lit on the western boundary of the Waychinicup National Park and adjoining crown land. The burn was ignited at 11.00 am on Wednesday, 19 September 2001. (2) The purpose of the burn was to provide a strategic fuel-reduced buffer for the protection of conservation values within the Waychinicup National Park, Mt Manypeaks Nature Reserve and adjoining crown lands, which contain habitat for the noisy scrub bird. The buffer would reduce the risk of fires emanating from adjoining private land from threatening the park. The burn was also to protect adjacent private property from wildfire emanating within the park and adjoining lands. The noisy scrub bird was considered to be extinct until its rediscovery in 1961. At the time of its rediscovery, the noisy scrub bird population was very small and confined to the Mt Gardner area and near the current picnic area at Two Peoples Bay. Through an active program of habitat management and translocations, as documented in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 1996 noisy scrub bird recovery plan, the range of the scrub birds has been extended and its population size has increased within the Two Peoples Bay nature reserve and beyond, including the Waychinicup-Mt Manypeaks area. On 28 December 2000, a wildfire of 6 300 hectares had a significant impact on the Two Peoples Bay scrub bird population. Of the 110 territories counted in the 2000 census, an estimated 60 were burnt. This represents a loss of approximately 54 per cent of the singing males in the Two Peoples Bay subpopulation. It is the adult males that establish territories, and scrub bird numbers are censused by counting the number of singing males. This fire demonstrated the significant risk to noisy scrub birds and other fauna habitats from large fires. The prescribed burn to establish a strategic low-fuel buffer in Waychinicup National Park should be considered in this context. The area burnt exceeded the planned size. (3) An open-edged prescribed burn was programmed to provide the strategic buffer. The open-edged burn did not extinguish overnight as anticipated; this had occurred in other burns earlier that week. I presume that means that it had extinguished overnight - or I hope that is what it means. (4) Due to the open-edged nature of the prescribed burn, an exact figure for the anticipated burn size was not determined. However, it was expected that 200 to 300 hectares would be burnt. The area burnt was approximately 700 hectares. (5) Yes. A bulldozer was used to contain a portion of the eastern flank of the fire. (6) Yes. Approximately 20 territories were affected. This number will be confirmed by a field audit currently under way. More than 570 territories east of the strategic buffer will now be afforded significant protection as a consequence of the prescribed burn that was carried out. (7) Yes. A number of territories were planned to be burnt. Prior to the burn, several noisy scrub birds were caught and translocated. (8) Because the bird is highly territorial, it is likely that some birds were killed. It is possible that some scrub birds would have survived the fire because of the very low to moderate intensity fire behaviour. (9) The department will conduct a post-fire analysis to determine the factors that contributed towards the fire. An audit of noisy scrub bird territories known within the fire boundary will be conducted.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) No. A prescribed burn was lit on the western boundary of the Waychinicup National Park and adjoining crown land. The burn was ignited at 11.00 am on Wednesday, 19 September 2001. (2) The purpose of the burn was to provide a strategic fuel-reduced buffer for the protection of conservation values within the Waychinicup National Park, Mt Manypeaks Nature Reserve and adjoining crown lands, which contain habitat for the noisy scrub bird. The buffer would reduce the risk of fires emanating from adjoining private land from threatening the park. The burn was also to protect adjacent private property from wildfire emanating within the park and adjoining lands. The noisy scrub bird was considered to be extinct until its rediscovery in 1961. At the time of its rediscovery, the noisy scrub bird population was very small and confined to the Mt Gardner area and near the current picnic area at Two Peoples Bay. Through an active program of habitat management and translocations, as documented in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 1996 noisy scrub bird recovery plan, the range of the scrub birds has been extended and its population size has increased within the Two Peoples Bay nature reserve and beyond, including the Waychinicup-Mt Manypeaks area. On 28 December 2000, a wildfire of 6 300 hectares had a significant impact on the Two Peoples Bay scrub bird population. Of the 110 territories counted in the 2000 census, an estimated 60 were burnt. This represents a loss of approximately 54 per cent of the singing males in the Two Peoples Bay subpopulation. It is the adult males that establish territories, and scrub bird numbers are censused by counting the number of singing males. This fire demonstrated the significant risk to noisy scrub birds and other fauna habitats from large fires. The prescribed burn to establish a strategic low-fuel buffer in Waychinicup National Park should be considered in this context. The area burnt exceeded the planned size. (3) An open-edged prescribed burn was programmed to provide the strategic buffer. The open-edged burn did not extinguish overnight as anticipated; this had occurred in other burns earlier that week. I presume that means that it had extinguished overnight - or I hope that is what it means. (4) Due to the open-edged nature of the prescribed burn, an exact figure for the anticipated burn size was not determined. However, it was expected that 200 to 300 hectares would be burnt. The area burnt was approximately 700 hectares. (5) Yes. A bulldozer was used to contain a portion of the eastern flank of the fire. (6) Yes. Approximately 20 territories were affected. This number will be confirmed by a field audit currently under way. More than 570 territories east of the strategic buffer will now be afforded significant protection as a consequence of the prescribed burn that was carried out. (7) Yes. A number of territories were planned to be burnt. Prior to the burn, several noisy scrub birds were caught and translocated. (8) Because the bird is highly territorial, it is likely that some birds were killed. It is possible that some scrub birds would have survived the fire because of the very low to moderate intensity fire behaviour. (9) The department will conduct a post-fire analysis to determine the factors that contributed towards the fire. An audit of noisy scrub bird territories known within the fire boundary will be conducted.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) No. A prescribed burn was lit on the western boundary of the Waychinicup National Park and adjoining crown land. The burn was ignited at 11.00 am on Wednesday, 19 September 2001. (2) The purpose of the burn was to provide a strategic fuel-reduced buffer for the protection of conservation values within the Waychinicup National Park, Mt Manypeaks Nature Reserve and adjoining crown lands, which contain habitat for the noisy scrub bird. The buffer would reduce the risk of fires emanating from adjoining private land from threatening the park. The burn was also to protect adjacent private property from wildfire emanating within the park and adjoining lands. The noisy scrub bird was considered to be extinct until its rediscovery in 1961. At the time of its rediscovery, the noisy scrub bird population was very small and confined to the Mt Gardner area and near the current picnic area at Two Peoples Bay. Through an active program of habitat management and translocations, as documented in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 1996 noisy scrub bird recovery plan, the range of the scrub birds has been extended and its population size has increased within the Two Peoples Bay nature reserve and beyond, including the Waychinicup-Mt Manypeaks area. On 28 December 2000, a wildfire of 6 300 hectares had a significant impact on the Two Peoples Bay scrub bird population. Of the 110 territories counted in the 2000 census, an estimated 60 were burnt. This represents a loss of approximately 54 per cent of the singing males in the Two Peoples Bay subpopulation. It is the adult males that establish territories, and scrub bird numbers are censused by counting the number of singing males. This fire demonstrated the significant risk to noisy scrub birds and other fauna habitats from large fires. The prescribed burn to establish a strategic low-fuel buffer in Waychinicup National Park should be considered in this context. The area burnt exceeded the planned size. (3) An open-edged prescribed burn was programmed to provide the strategic buffer. The open-edged burn did not extinguish overnight as anticipated; this had occurred in other burns earlier that week. I presume that means that it had extinguished overnight - or I hope that is what it means. (4) Due to the open-edged nature of the prescribed burn, an exact figure for the anticipated burn size was not determined. However, it was expected that 200 to 300 hectares would be burnt. The area burnt was approximately 700 hectares. (5) Yes. A bulldozer was used to contain a portion of the eastern flank of the fire. (6) Yes. Approximately 20 territories were affected. This number will be confirmed by a field audit currently under way. More than 570 territories east of the strategic buffer will now be afforded significant protection as a consequence of the prescribed burn that was carried out. (7) Yes. A number of territories were planned to be burnt. Prior to the burn, several noisy scrub birds were caught and translocated. (8) Because the bird is highly territorial, it is likely that some birds were killed. It is possible that some scrub birds would have survived the fire because of the very low to moderate intensity fire behaviour. (9) The department will conduct a post-fire analysis to determine the factors that contributed towards the fire. An audit of noisy scrub bird territories known within the fire boundary will be conducted.
(1) No. A prescribed burn was lit on the western boundary of the Waychinicup National Park and adjoining crown land. The burn was ignited at 11.00 am on Wednesday, 19 September 2001. (2) The purpose of the burn was to provide a strategic fuel-reduced buffer for the protection of conservation values within the Waychinicup National Park, Mt Manypeaks Nature Reserve and adjoining crown lands, which contain habitat for the noisy scrub bird. The buffer would reduce the risk of fires emanating from adjoining private land from threatening the park. The burn was also to protect adjacent private property from wildfire emanating within the park and adjoining lands. The noisy scrub bird was considered to be extinct until its rediscovery in 1961. At the time of its rediscovery, the noisy scrub bird population was very small and confined to the Mt Gardner area and near the current picnic area at Two Peoples Bay. Through an active program of habitat management and translocations, as documented in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 1996 noisy scrub bird recovery plan, the range of the scrub birds has been extended and its population size has increased within the Two Peoples Bay nature reserve and beyond, including the Waychinicup-Mt Manypeaks area. On 28 December 2000, a wildfire of 6 300 hectares had a significant impact on the Two Peoples Bay scrub bird population. Of the 110 territories counted in the 2000 census, an estimated 60 were burnt. This represents a loss of approximately 54 per cent of the singing males in the Two Peoples Bay subpopulation. It is the adult males that establish territories, and scrub bird numbers are censused by counting the number of singing males. This fire demonstrated the significant risk to noisy scrub birds and other fauna habitats from large fires. The prescribed burn to establish a strategic low-fuel buffer in Waychinicup National Park should be considered in this context. The area burnt exceeded the planned size. (3) An open-edged prescribed burn was programmed to provide the strategic buffer. The open-edged burn did not extinguish overnight as anticipated; this had occurred in other burns earlier that week. I presume that means that it had extinguished overnight - or I hope that is what it means. (4) Due to the open-edged nature of the prescribed burn, an exact figure for the anticipated burn size was not determined. However, it was expected that 200 to 300 hectares would be burnt. The area burnt was approximately 700 hectares. (5) Yes. A bulldozer was used to contain a portion of the eastern flank of the fire. (6) Yes. Approximately 20 territories were affected. This number will be confirmed by a field audit currently under way. More than 570 territories east of the strategic buffer will now be afforded significant protection as a consequence of the prescribed burn that was carried out. (7) Yes. A number of territories were planned to be burnt. Prior to the burn, several noisy scrub birds were caught and translocated. (8) Because the bird is highly territorial, it is likely that some birds were killed. It is possible that some scrub birds would have survived the fire because of the very low to moderate intensity fire behaviour. (9) The department will conduct a post-fire analysis to determine the factors that contributed towards the fire. An audit of noisy scrub bird territories known within the fire boundary will be conducted.
(2) The purpose of the burn was to provide a strategic fuel-reduced buffer for the protection of conservation values within the Waychinicup National Park, Mt Manypeaks Nature Reserve and adjoining crown lands, which contain habitat for the noisy scrub bird. The buffer would reduce the risk of fires emanating from adjoining private land from threatening the park. The burn was also to protect adjacent private property from wildfire emanating within the park and adjoining lands. The noisy scrub bird was considered to be extinct until its rediscovery in 1961. At the time of its rediscovery, the noisy scrub bird population was very small and confined to the Mt Gardner area and near the current picnic area at Two Peoples Bay. Through an active program of habitat management and translocations, as documented in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 1996 noisy scrub bird recovery plan, the range of the scrub birds has been extended and its population size has increased within the Two Peoples Bay nature reserve and beyond, including the Waychinicup-Mt Manypeaks area. On 28 December 2000, a wildfire of 6 300 hectares had a significant impact on the Two Peoples Bay scrub bird population. Of the 110 territories counted in the 2000 census, an estimated 60 were burnt. This represents a loss of approximately 54 per cent of the singing males in the Two Peoples Bay subpopulation. It is the adult males that establish territories, and scrub bird numbers are censused by counting the number of singing males. This fire demonstrated the significant risk to noisy scrub birds and other fauna habitats from large fires. The prescribed burn to establish a strategic low-fuel buffer in Waychinicup National Park should be considered in this context. The area burnt exceeded the planned size. (3) An open-edged prescribed burn was programmed to provide the strategic buffer. The open-edged burn did not extinguish overnight as anticipated; this had occurred in other burns earlier that week. I presume that means that it had extinguished overnight - or I hope that is what it means. (4) Due to the open-edged nature of the prescribed burn, an exact figure for the anticipated burn size was not determined. However, it was expected that 200 to 300 hectares would be burnt. The area burnt was approximately 700 hectares. (5) Yes. A bulldozer was used to contain a portion of the eastern flank of the fire. (6) Yes. Approximately 20 territories were affected. This number will be confirmed by a field audit currently under way. More than 570 territories east of the strategic buffer will now be afforded significant protection as a consequence of the prescribed burn that was carried out. (7) Yes. A number of territories were planned to be burnt. Prior to the burn, several noisy scrub birds were caught and translocated. (8) Because the bird is highly territorial, it is likely that some birds were killed. It is possible that some scrub birds would have survived the fire because of the very low to moderate intensity fire behaviour. (9) The department will conduct a post-fire analysis to determine the factors that contributed towards the fire. An audit of noisy scrub bird territories known within the fire boundary will be conducted.
On 28 December 2000, a wildfire of 6 300 hectares had a significant impact on the Two Peoples Bay scrub bird population. Of the 110 territories counted in the 2000 census, an estimated 60 were burnt. This represents a loss of approximately 54 per cent of the singing males in the Two Peoples Bay subpopulation. It is the adult males that establish territories, and scrub bird numbers are censused by counting the number of singing males. This fire demonstrated the significant risk to noisy scrub birds and other fauna habitats from large fires. The prescribed burn to establish a strategic low-fuel buffer in Waychinicup National Park should be considered in this context. The area burnt exceeded the planned size.
(4) Due to the open-edged nature of the prescribed burn, an exact figure for the anticipated burn size was not determined. However, it was expected that 200 to 300 hectares would be burnt. The area burnt was approximately 700 hectares. (5) Yes. A bulldozer was used to contain a portion of the eastern flank of the fire. (6) Yes. Approximately 20 territories were affected. This number will be confirmed by a field audit currently under way. More than 570 territories east of the strategic buffer will now be afforded significant protection as a consequence of the prescribed burn that was carried out. (7) Yes. A number of territories were planned to be burnt. Prior to the burn, several noisy scrub birds were caught and translocated. (8) Because the bird is highly territorial, it is likely that some birds were killed. It is possible that some scrub birds would have survived the fire because of the very low to moderate intensity fire behaviour. (9) The department will conduct a post-fire analysis to determine the factors that contributed towards the fire. An audit of noisy scrub bird territories known within the fire boundary will be conducted.
(5) Yes. A bulldozer was used to contain a portion of the eastern flank of the fire. (6) Yes. Approximately 20 territories were affected. This number will be confirmed by a field audit currently under way. More than 570 territories east of the strategic buffer will now be afforded significant protection as a consequence of the prescribed burn that was carried out. (7) Yes. A number of territories were planned to be burnt. Prior to the burn, several noisy scrub birds were caught and translocated. (8) Because the bird is highly territorial, it is likely that some birds were killed. It is possible that some scrub birds would have survived the fire because of the very low to moderate intensity fire behaviour. (9) The department will conduct a post-fire analysis to determine the factors that contributed towards the fire. An audit of noisy scrub bird territories known within the fire boundary will be conducted.
(6) Yes. Approximately 20 territories were affected. This number will be confirmed by a field audit currently under way. More than 570 territories east of the strategic buffer will now be afforded significant protection as a consequence of the prescribed burn that was carried out. (7) Yes. A number of territories were planned to be burnt. Prior to the burn, several noisy scrub birds were caught and translocated. (8) Because the bird is highly territorial, it is likely that some birds were killed. It is possible that some scrub birds would have survived the fire because of the very low to moderate intensity fire behaviour. (9) The department will conduct a post-fire analysis to determine the factors that contributed towards the fire. An audit of noisy scrub bird territories known within the fire boundary will be conducted.
(7) Yes. A number of territories were planned to be burnt. Prior to the burn, several noisy scrub birds were caught and translocated. (8) Because the bird is highly territorial, it is likely that some birds were killed. It is possible that some scrub birds would have survived the fire because of the very low to moderate intensity fire behaviour. (9) The department will conduct a post-fire analysis to determine the factors that contributed towards the fire. An audit of noisy scrub bird territories known within the fire boundary will be conducted.
(8) Because the bird is highly territorial, it is likely that some birds were killed. It is possible that some scrub birds would have survived the fire because of the very low to moderate intensity fire behaviour. (9) The department will conduct a post-fire analysis to determine the factors that contributed towards the fire. An audit of noisy scrub bird territories known within the fire boundary will be conducted.
(9) The department will conduct a post-fire analysis to determine the factors that contributed towards the fire. An audit of noisy scrub bird territories known within the fire boundary will be conducted.
(2) What was the purpose of the burn? (3) Did the burn get out of control? If yes, why? (4) How much of the reserve was planned to be burnt, and how much was actually burnt? (5) Were bulldozers sent into the reserve? (6) Was the habitat of the endangered noisy scrub bird burnt in the fire? If yes, how much was burnt? (7) Was this habitat planned to be burnt? (8) Were any noisy scrub birds killed? (9) What inquiry into the cause of the escape and damage done by the fire to the reserve and to the noisy scrub bird will be conducted? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) No. A prescribed burn was lit on the western boundary of the Waychinicup National Park and adjoining crown land. The burn was ignited at 11.00 am on Wednesday, 19 September 2001. (2) The purpose of the burn was to provide a strategic fuel-reduced buffer for the protection of conservation values within the Waychinicup National Park, Mt Manypeaks Nature Reserve and adjoining crown lands, which contain habitat for the noisy scrub bird. The buffer would reduce the risk of fires emanating from adjoining private land from threatening the park. The burn was also to protect adjacent private property from wildfire emanating within the park and adjoining lands. The noisy scrub bird was considered to be extinct until its rediscovery in 1961. At the time of its rediscovery, the noisy scrub bird population was very small and confined to the Mt Gardner area and near the current picnic area at Two Peoples Bay. Through an active program of habitat management and translocations, as documented in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 1996 noisy scrub bird recovery plan, the range of the scrub birds has been extended and its population size has increased within the Two Peoples Bay nature reserve and beyond, including the Waychinicup-Mt Manypeaks area. On 28 December 2000, a wildfire of 6 300 hectares had a significant impact on the Two Peoples Bay scrub bird population. Of the 110 territories counted in the 2000 census, an estimated 60 were burnt. This represents a loss of approximately 54 per cent of the singing males in the Two Peoples Bay subpopulation. It is the adult males that establish territories, and scrub bird numbers are censused by counting the number of singing males. This fire demonstrated the significant risk to noisy scrub birds and other fauna habitats from large fires. The prescribed burn to establish a strategic low-fuel buffer in Waychinicup National Park should be considered in this context. The area burnt exceeded the planned size. (3) An open-edged prescribed burn was programmed to provide the strategic buffer. The open-edged burn did not extinguish overnight as anticipated; this had occurred in other burns earlier that week. I presume that means that it had extinguished overnight - or I hope that is what it means. (4) Due to the open-edged nature of the prescribed burn, an exact figure for the anticipated burn size was not determined. However, it was expected that 200 to 300 hectares would be burnt. The area burnt was approximately 700 hectares. (5) Yes. A bulldozer was used to contain a portion of the eastern flank of the fire. (6) Yes. Approximately 20 territories were affected. This number will be confirmed by a field audit currently under way. More than 570 territories east of the strategic buffer will now be afforded significant protection as a consequence of the prescribed burn that was carried out. (7) Yes. A number of territories were planned to be burnt. Prior to the burn, several noisy scrub birds were caught and translocated. (8) Because the bird is highly territorial, it is likely that some birds were killed. It is possible that some scrub birds would have survived the fire because of the very low to moderate intensity fire behaviour. (9) The department will conduct a post-fire analysis to determine the factors that contributed towards the fire. An audit of noisy scrub bird territories known within the fire boundary will be conducted.
(3) Did the burn get out of control? If yes, why? (4) How much of the reserve was planned to be burnt, and how much was actually burnt? (5) Were bulldozers sent into the reserve? (6) Was the habitat of the endangered noisy scrub bird burnt in the fire? If yes, how much was burnt? (7) Was this habitat planned to be burnt? (8) Were any noisy scrub birds killed? (9) What inquiry into the cause of the escape and damage done by the fire to the reserve and to the noisy scrub bird will be conducted? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) No. A prescribed burn was lit on the western boundary of the Waychinicup National Park and adjoining crown land. The burn was ignited at 11.00 am on Wednesday, 19 September 2001. (2) The purpose of the burn was to provide a strategic fuel-reduced buffer for the protection of conservation values within the Waychinicup National Park, Mt Manypeaks Nature Reserve and adjoining crown lands, which contain habitat for the noisy scrub bird. The buffer would reduce the risk of fires emanating from adjoining private land from threatening the park. The burn was also to protect adjacent private property from wildfire emanating within the park and adjoining lands. The noisy scrub bird was considered to be extinct until its rediscovery in 1961. At the time of its rediscovery, the noisy scrub bird population was very small and confined to the Mt Gardner area and near the current picnic area at Two Peoples Bay. Through an active program of habitat management and translocations, as documented in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 1996 noisy scrub bird recovery plan, the range of the scrub birds has been extended and its population size has increased within the Two Peoples Bay nature reserve and beyond, including the Waychinicup-Mt Manypeaks area. On 28 December 2000, a wildfire of 6 300 hectares had a significant impact on the Two Peoples Bay scrub bird population. Of the 110 territories counted in the 2000 census, an estimated 60 were burnt. This represents a loss of approximately 54 per cent of the singing males in the Two Peoples Bay subpopulation. It is the adult males that establish territories, and scrub bird numbers are censused by counting the number of singing males. This fire demonstrated the significant risk to noisy scrub birds and other fauna habitats from large fires. The prescribed burn to establish a strategic low-fuel buffer in Waychinicup National Park should be considered in this context. The area burnt exceeded the planned size. (3) An open-edged prescribed burn was programmed to provide the strategic buffer. The open-edged burn did not extinguish overnight as anticipated; this had occurred in other burns earlier that week. I presume that means that it had extinguished overnight - or I hope that is what it means. (4) Due to the open-edged nature of the prescribed burn, an exact figure for the anticipated burn size was not determined. However, it was expected that 200 to 300 hectares would be burnt. The area burnt was approximately 700 hectares. (5) Yes. A bulldozer was used to contain a portion of the eastern flank of the fire. (6) Yes. Approximately 20 territories were affected. This number will be confirmed by a field audit currently under way. More than 570 territories east of the strategic buffer will now be afforded significant protection as a consequence of the prescribed burn that was carried out. (7) Yes. A number of territories were planned to be burnt. Prior to the burn, several noisy scrub birds were caught and translocated. (8) Because the bird is highly territorial, it is likely that some birds were killed. It is possible that some scrub birds would have survived the fire because of the very low to moderate intensity fire behaviour. (9) The department will conduct a post-fire analysis to determine the factors that contributed towards the fire. An audit of noisy scrub bird territories known within the fire boundary will be conducted.
(4) How much of the reserve was planned to be burnt, and how much was actually burnt? (5) Were bulldozers sent into the reserve? (6) Was the habitat of the endangered noisy scrub bird burnt in the fire? If yes, how much was burnt? (7) Was this habitat planned to be burnt? (8) Were any noisy scrub birds killed? (9) What inquiry into the cause of the escape and damage done by the fire to the reserve and to the noisy scrub bird will be conducted? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) No. A prescribed burn was lit on the western boundary of the Waychinicup National Park and adjoining crown land. The burn was ignited at 11.00 am on Wednesday, 19 September 2001. (2) The purpose of the burn was to provide a strategic fuel-reduced buffer for the protection of conservation values within the Waychinicup National Park, Mt Manypeaks Nature Reserve and adjoining crown lands, which contain habitat for the noisy scrub bird. The buffer would reduce the risk of fires emanating from adjoining private land from threatening the park. The burn was also to protect adjacent private property from wildfire emanating within the park and adjoining lands. The noisy scrub bird was considered to be extinct until its rediscovery in 1961. At the time of its rediscovery, the noisy scrub bird population was very small and confined to the Mt Gardner area and near the current picnic area at Two Peoples Bay. Through an active program of habitat management and translocations, as documented in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 1996 noisy scrub bird recovery plan, the range of the scrub birds has been extended and its population size has increased within the Two Peoples Bay nature reserve and beyond, including the Waychinicup-Mt Manypeaks area. On 28 December 2000, a wildfire of 6 300 hectares had a significant impact on the Two Peoples Bay scrub bird population. Of the 110 territories counted in the 2000 census, an estimated 60 were burnt. This represents a loss of approximately 54 per cent of the singing males in the Two Peoples Bay subpopulation. It is the adult males that establish territories, and scrub bird numbers are censused by counting the number of singing males. This fire demonstrated the significant risk to noisy scrub birds and other fauna habitats from large fires. The prescribed burn to establish a strategic low-fuel buffer in Waychinicup National Park should be considered in this context. The area burnt exceeded the planned size. (3) An open-edged prescribed burn was programmed to provide the strategic buffer. The open-edged burn did not extinguish overnight as anticipated; this had occurred in other burns earlier that week. I presume that means that it had extinguished overnight - or I hope that is what it means. (4) Due to the open-edged nature of the prescribed burn, an exact figure for the anticipated burn size was not determined. However, it was expected that 200 to 300 hectares would be burnt. The area burnt was approximately 700 hectares. (5) Yes. A bulldozer was used to contain a portion of the eastern flank of the fire. (6) Yes. Approximately 20 territories were affected. This number will be confirmed by a field audit currently under way. More than 570 territories east of the strategic buffer will now be afforded significant protection as a consequence of the prescribed burn that was carried out. (7) Yes. A number of territories were planned to be burnt. Prior to the burn, several noisy scrub birds were caught and translocated. (8) Because the bird is highly territorial, it is likely that some birds were killed. It is possible that some scrub birds would have survived the fire because of the very low to moderate intensity fire behaviour. (9) The department will conduct a post-fire analysis to determine the factors that contributed towards the fire. An audit of noisy scrub bird territories known within the fire boundary will be conducted.
(5) Were bulldozers sent into the reserve? (6) Was the habitat of the endangered noisy scrub bird burnt in the fire? If yes, how much was burnt? (7) Was this habitat planned to be burnt? (8) Were any noisy scrub birds killed? (9) What inquiry into the cause of the escape and damage done by the fire to the reserve and to the noisy scrub bird will be conducted? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) No. A prescribed burn was lit on the western boundary of the Waychinicup National Park and adjoining crown land. The burn was ignited at 11.00 am on Wednesday, 19 September 2001. (2) The purpose of the burn was to provide a strategic fuel-reduced buffer for the protection of conservation values within the Waychinicup National Park, Mt Manypeaks Nature Reserve and adjoining crown lands, which contain habitat for the noisy scrub bird. The buffer would reduce the risk of fires emanating from adjoining private land from threatening the park. The burn was also to protect adjacent private property from wildfire emanating within the park and adjoining lands. The noisy scrub bird was considered to be extinct until its rediscovery in 1961. At the time of its rediscovery, the noisy scrub bird population was very small and confined to the Mt Gardner area and near the current picnic area at Two Peoples Bay. Through an active program of habitat management and translocations, as documented in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 1996 noisy scrub bird recovery plan, the range of the scrub birds has been extended and its population size has increased within the Two Peoples Bay nature reserve and beyond, including the Waychinicup-Mt Manypeaks area. On 28 December 2000, a wildfire of 6 300 hectares had a significant impact on the Two Peoples Bay scrub bird population. Of the 110 territories counted in the 2000 census, an estimated 60 were burnt. This represents a loss of approximately 54 per cent of the singing males in the Two Peoples Bay subpopulation. It is the adult males that establish territories, and scrub bird numbers are censused by counting the number of singing males. This fire demonstrated the significant risk to noisy scrub birds and other fauna habitats from large fires. The prescribed burn to establish a strategic low-fuel buffer in Waychinicup National Park should be considered in this context. The area burnt exceeded the planned size. (3) An open-edged prescribed burn was programmed to provide the strategic buffer. The open-edged burn did not extinguish overnight as anticipated; this had occurred in other burns earlier that week. I presume that means that it had extinguished overnight - or I hope that is what it means. (4) Due to the open-edged nature of the prescribed burn, an exact figure for the anticipated burn size was not determined. However, it was expected that 200 to 300 hectares would be burnt. The area burnt was approximately 700 hectares. (5) Yes. A bulldozer was used to contain a portion of the eastern flank of the fire. (6) Yes. Approximately 20 territories were affected. This number will be confirmed by a field audit currently under way. More than 570 territories east of the strategic buffer will now be afforded significant protection as a consequence of the prescribed burn that was carried out. (7) Yes. A number of territories were planned to be burnt. Prior to the burn, several noisy scrub birds were caught and translocated. (8) Because the bird is highly territorial, it is likely that some birds were killed. It is possible that some scrub birds would have survived the fire because of the very low to moderate intensity fire behaviour. (9) The department will conduct a post-fire analysis to determine the factors that contributed towards the fire. An audit of noisy scrub bird territories known within the fire boundary will be conducted.
(6) Was the habitat of the endangered noisy scrub bird burnt in the fire? If yes, how much was burnt? (7) Was this habitat planned to be burnt? (8) Were any noisy scrub birds killed? (9) What inquiry into the cause of the escape and damage done by the fire to the reserve and to the noisy scrub bird will be conducted? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) No. A prescribed burn was lit on the western boundary of the Waychinicup National Park and adjoining crown land. The burn was ignited at 11.00 am on Wednesday, 19 September 2001. (2) The purpose of the burn was to provide a strategic fuel-reduced buffer for the protection of conservation values within the Waychinicup National Park, Mt Manypeaks Nature Reserve and adjoining crown lands, which contain habitat for the noisy scrub bird. The buffer would reduce the risk of fires emanating from adjoining private land from threatening the park. The burn was also to protect adjacent private property from wildfire emanating within the park and adjoining lands. The noisy scrub bird was considered to be extinct until its rediscovery in 1961. At the time of its rediscovery, the noisy scrub bird population was very small and confined to the Mt Gardner area and near the current picnic area at Two Peoples Bay. Through an active program of habitat management and translocations, as documented in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 1996 noisy scrub bird recovery plan, the range of the scrub birds has been extended and its population size has increased within the Two Peoples Bay nature reserve and beyond, including the Waychinicup-Mt Manypeaks area. On 28 December 2000, a wildfire of 6 300 hectares had a significant impact on the Two Peoples Bay scrub bird population. Of the 110 territories counted in the 2000 census, an estimated 60 were burnt. This represents a loss of approximately 54 per cent of the singing males in the Two Peoples Bay subpopulation. It is the adult males that establish territories, and scrub bird numbers are censused by counting the number of singing males. This fire demonstrated the significant risk to noisy scrub birds and other fauna habitats from large fires. The prescribed burn to establish a strategic low-fuel buffer in Waychinicup National Park should be considered in this context. The area burnt exceeded the planned size. (3) An open-edged prescribed burn was programmed to provide the strategic buffer. The open-edged burn did not extinguish overnight as anticipated; this had occurred in other burns earlier that week. I presume that means that it had extinguished overnight - or I hope that is what it means. (4) Due to the open-edged nature of the prescribed burn, an exact figure for the anticipated burn size was not determined. However, it was expected that 200 to 300 hectares would be burnt. The area burnt was approximately 700 hectares. (5) Yes. A bulldozer was used to contain a portion of the eastern flank of the fire. (6) Yes. Approximately 20 territories were affected. This number will be confirmed by a field audit currently under way. More than 570 territories east of the strategic buffer will now be afforded significant protection as a consequence of the prescribed burn that was carried out. (7) Yes. A number of territories were planned to be burnt. Prior to the burn, several noisy scrub birds were caught and translocated. (8) Because the bird is highly territorial, it is likely that some birds were killed. It is possible that some scrub birds would have survived the fire because of the very low to moderate intensity fire behaviour. (9) The department will conduct a post-fire analysis to determine the factors that contributed towards the fire. An audit of noisy scrub bird territories known within the fire boundary will be conducted.
(7) Was this habitat planned to be burnt? (8) Were any noisy scrub birds killed? (9) What inquiry into the cause of the escape and damage done by the fire to the reserve and to the noisy scrub bird will be conducted? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) No. A prescribed burn was lit on the western boundary of the Waychinicup National Park and adjoining crown land. The burn was ignited at 11.00 am on Wednesday, 19 September 2001. (2) The purpose of the burn was to provide a strategic fuel-reduced buffer for the protection of conservation values within the Waychinicup National Park, Mt Manypeaks Nature Reserve and adjoining crown lands, which contain habitat for the noisy scrub bird. The buffer would reduce the risk of fires emanating from adjoining private land from threatening the park. The burn was also to protect adjacent private property from wildfire emanating within the park and adjoining lands. The noisy scrub bird was considered to be extinct until its rediscovery in 1961. At the time of its rediscovery, the noisy scrub bird population was very small and confined to the Mt Gardner area and near the current picnic area at Two Peoples Bay. Through an active program of habitat management and translocations, as documented in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 1996 noisy scrub bird recovery plan, the range of the scrub birds has been extended and its population size has increased within the Two Peoples Bay nature reserve and beyond, including the Waychinicup-Mt Manypeaks area. On 28 December 2000, a wildfire of 6 300 hectares had a significant impact on the Two Peoples Bay scrub bird population. Of the 110 territories counted in the 2000 census, an estimated 60 were burnt. This represents a loss of approximately 54 per cent of the singing males in the Two Peoples Bay subpopulation. It is the adult males that establish territories, and scrub bird numbers are censused by counting the number of singing males. This fire demonstrated the significant risk to noisy scrub birds and other fauna habitats from large fires. The prescribed burn to establish a strategic low-fuel buffer in Waychinicup National Park should be considered in this context. The area burnt exceeded the planned size. (3) An open-edged prescribed burn was programmed to provide the strategic buffer. The open-edged burn did not extinguish overnight as anticipated; this had occurred in other burns earlier that week. I presume that means that it had extinguished overnight - or I hope that is what it means. (4) Due to the open-edged nature of the prescribed burn, an exact figure for the anticipated burn size was not determined. However, it was expected that 200 to 300 hectares would be burnt. The area burnt was approximately 700 hectares. (5) Yes. A bulldozer was used to contain a portion of the eastern flank of the fire. (6) Yes. Approximately 20 territories were affected. This number will be confirmed by a field audit currently under way. More than 570 territories east of the strategic buffer will now be afforded significant protection as a consequence of the prescribed burn that was carried out. (7) Yes. A number of territories were planned to be burnt. Prior to the burn, several noisy scrub birds were caught and translocated. (8) Because the bird is highly territorial, it is likely that some birds were killed. It is possible that some scrub birds would have survived the fire because of the very low to moderate intensity fire behaviour. (9) The department will conduct a post-fire analysis to determine the factors that contributed towards the fire. An audit of noisy scrub bird territories known within the fire boundary will be conducted.
(8) Were any noisy scrub birds killed? (9) What inquiry into the cause of the escape and damage done by the fire to the reserve and to the noisy scrub bird will be conducted? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) No. A prescribed burn was lit on the western boundary of the Waychinicup National Park and adjoining crown land. The burn was ignited at 11.00 am on Wednesday, 19 September 2001. (2) The purpose of the burn was to provide a strategic fuel-reduced buffer for the protection of conservation values within the Waychinicup National Park, Mt Manypeaks Nature Reserve and adjoining crown lands, which contain habitat for the noisy scrub bird. The buffer would reduce the risk of fires emanating from adjoining private land from threatening the park. The burn was also to protect adjacent private property from wildfire emanating within the park and adjoining lands. The noisy scrub bird was considered to be extinct until its rediscovery in 1961. At the time of its rediscovery, the noisy scrub bird population was very small and confined to the Mt Gardner area and near the current picnic area at Two Peoples Bay. Through an active program of habitat management and translocations, as documented in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 1996 noisy scrub bird recovery plan, the range of the scrub birds has been extended and its population size has increased within the Two Peoples Bay nature reserve and beyond, including the Waychinicup-Mt Manypeaks area. On 28 December 2000, a wildfire of 6 300 hectares had a significant impact on the Two Peoples Bay scrub bird population. Of the 110 territories counted in the 2000 census, an estimated 60 were burnt. This represents a loss of approximately 54 per cent of the singing males in the Two Peoples Bay subpopulation. It is the adult males that establish territories, and scrub bird numbers are censused by counting the number of singing males. This fire demonstrated the significant risk to noisy scrub birds and other fauna habitats from large fires. The prescribed burn to establish a strategic low-fuel buffer in Waychinicup National Park should be considered in this context. The area burnt exceeded the planned size. (3) An open-edged prescribed burn was programmed to provide the strategic buffer. The open-edged burn did not extinguish overnight as anticipated; this had occurred in other burns earlier that week. I presume that means that it had extinguished overnight - or I hope that is what it means. (4) Due to the open-edged nature of the prescribed burn, an exact figure for the anticipated burn size was not determined. However, it was expected that 200 to 300 hectares would be burnt. The area burnt was approximately 700 hectares. (5) Yes. A bulldozer was used to contain a portion of the eastern flank of the fire. (6) Yes. Approximately 20 territories were affected. This number will be confirmed by a field audit currently under way. More than 570 territories east of the strategic buffer will now be afforded significant protection as a consequence of the prescribed burn that was carried out. (7) Yes. A number of territories were planned to be burnt. Prior to the burn, several noisy scrub birds were caught and translocated. (8) Because the bird is highly territorial, it is likely that some birds were killed. It is possible that some scrub birds would have survived the fire because of the very low to moderate intensity fire behaviour. (9) The department will conduct a post-fire analysis to determine the factors that contributed towards the fire. An audit of noisy scrub bird territories known within the fire boundary will be conducted.
(9) What inquiry into the cause of the escape and damage done by the fire to the reserve and to the noisy scrub bird will be conducted? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) No. A prescribed burn was lit on the western boundary of the Waychinicup National Park and adjoining crown land. The burn was ignited at 11.00 am on Wednesday, 19 September 2001. (2) The purpose of the burn was to provide a strategic fuel-reduced buffer for the protection of conservation values within the Waychinicup National Park, Mt Manypeaks Nature Reserve and adjoining crown lands, which contain habitat for the noisy scrub bird. The buffer would reduce the risk of fires emanating from adjoining private land from threatening the park. The burn was also to protect adjacent private property from wildfire emanating within the park and adjoining lands. The noisy scrub bird was considered to be extinct until its rediscovery in 1961. At the time of its rediscovery, the noisy scrub bird population was very small and confined to the Mt Gardner area and near the current picnic area at Two Peoples Bay. Through an active program of habitat management and translocations, as documented in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 1996 noisy scrub bird recovery plan, the range of the scrub birds has been extended and its population size has increased within the Two Peoples Bay nature reserve and beyond, including the Waychinicup-Mt Manypeaks area. On 28 December 2000, a wildfire of 6 300 hectares had a significant impact on the Two Peoples Bay scrub bird population. Of the 110 territories counted in the 2000 census, an estimated 60 were burnt. This represents a loss of approximately 54 per cent of the singing males in the Two Peoples Bay subpopulation. It is the adult males that establish territories, and scrub bird numbers are censused by counting the number of singing males. This fire demonstrated the significant risk to noisy scrub birds and other fauna habitats from large fires. The prescribed burn to establish a strategic low-fuel buffer in Waychinicup National Park should be considered in this context. The area burnt exceeded the planned size. (3) An open-edged prescribed burn was programmed to provide the strategic buffer. The open-edged burn did not extinguish overnight as anticipated; this had occurred in other burns earlier that week. I presume that means that it had extinguished overnight - or I hope that is what it means. (4) Due to the open-edged nature of the prescribed burn, an exact figure for the anticipated burn size was not determined. However, it was expected that 200 to 300 hectares would be burnt. The area burnt was approximately 700 hectares. (5) Yes. A bulldozer was used to contain a portion of the eastern flank of the fire. (6) Yes. Approximately 20 territories were affected. This number will be confirmed by a field audit currently under way. More than 570 territories east of the strategic buffer will now be afforded significant protection as a consequence of the prescribed burn that was carried out. (7) Yes. A number of territories were planned to be burnt. Prior to the burn, several noisy scrub birds were caught and translocated. (8) Because the bird is highly territorial, it is likely that some birds were killed. It is possible that some scrub birds would have survived the fire because of the very low to moderate intensity fire behaviour. (9) The department will conduct a post-fire analysis to determine the factors that contributed towards the fire. An audit of noisy scrub bird territories known within the fire boundary will be conducted.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) No. A prescribed burn was lit on the western boundary of the Waychinicup National Park and adjoining crown land. The burn was ignited at 11.00 am on Wednesday, 19 September 2001. (2) The purpose of the burn was to provide a strategic fuel-reduced buffer for the protection of conservation values within the Waychinicup National Park, Mt Manypeaks Nature Reserve and adjoining crown lands, which contain habitat for the noisy scrub bird. The buffer would reduce the risk of fires emanating from adjoining private land from threatening the park. The burn was also to protect adjacent private property from wildfire emanating within the park and adjoining lands. The noisy scrub bird was considered to be extinct until its rediscovery in 1961. At the time of its rediscovery, the noisy scrub bird population was very small and confined to the Mt Gardner area and near the current picnic area at Two Peoples Bay. Through an active program of habitat management and translocations, as documented in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 1996 noisy scrub bird recovery plan, the range of the scrub birds has been extended and its population size has increased within the Two Peoples Bay nature reserve and beyond, including the Waychinicup-Mt Manypeaks area. On 28 December 2000, a wildfire of 6 300 hectares had a significant impact on the Two Peoples Bay scrub bird population. Of the 110 territories counted in the 2000 census, an estimated 60 were burnt. This represents a loss of approximately 54 per cent of the singing males in the Two Peoples Bay subpopulation. It is the adult males that establish territories, and scrub bird numbers are censused by counting the number of singing males. This fire demonstrated the significant risk to noisy scrub birds and other fauna habitats from large fires. The prescribed burn to establish a strategic low-fuel buffer in Waychinicup National Park should be considered in this context. The area burnt exceeded the planned size. (3) An open-edged prescribed burn was programmed to provide the strategic buffer. The open-edged burn did not extinguish overnight as anticipated; this had occurred in other burns earlier that week. I presume that means that it had extinguished overnight - or I hope that is what it means. (4) Due to the open-edged nature of the prescribed burn, an exact figure for the anticipated burn size was not determined. However, it was expected that 200 to 300 hectares would be burnt. The area burnt was approximately 700 hectares. (5) Yes. A bulldozer was used to contain a portion of the eastern flank of the fire. (6) Yes. Approximately 20 territories were affected. This number will be confirmed by a field audit currently under way. More than 570 territories east of the strategic buffer will now be afforded significant protection as a consequence of the prescribed burn that was carried out. (7) Yes. A number of territories were planned to be burnt. Prior to the burn, several noisy scrub birds were caught and translocated. (8) Because the bird is highly territorial, it is likely that some birds were killed. It is possible that some scrub birds would have survived the fire because of the very low to moderate intensity fire behaviour. (9) The department will conduct a post-fire analysis to determine the factors that contributed towards the fire. An audit of noisy scrub bird territories known within the fire boundary will be conducted.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) No. A prescribed burn was lit on the western boundary of the Waychinicup National Park and adjoining crown land. The burn was ignited at 11.00 am on Wednesday, 19 September 2001. (2) The purpose of the burn was to provide a strategic fuel-reduced buffer for the protection of conservation values within the Waychinicup National Park, Mt Manypeaks Nature Reserve and adjoining crown lands, which contain habitat for the noisy scrub bird. The buffer would reduce the risk of fires emanating from adjoining private land from threatening the park. The burn was also to protect adjacent private property from wildfire emanating within the park and adjoining lands. The noisy scrub bird was considered to be extinct until its rediscovery in 1961. At the time of its rediscovery, the noisy scrub bird population was very small and confined to the Mt Gardner area and near the current picnic area at Two Peoples Bay. Through an active program of habitat management and translocations, as documented in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 1996 noisy scrub bird recovery plan, the range of the scrub birds has been extended and its population size has increased within the Two Peoples Bay nature reserve and beyond, including the Waychinicup-Mt Manypeaks area. On 28 December 2000, a wildfire of 6 300 hectares had a significant impact on the Two Peoples Bay scrub bird population. Of the 110 territories counted in the 2000 census, an estimated 60 were burnt. This represents a loss of approximately 54 per cent of the singing males in the Two Peoples Bay subpopulation. It is the adult males that establish territories, and scrub bird numbers are censused by counting the number of singing males. This fire demonstrated the significant risk to noisy scrub birds and other fauna habitats from large fires. The prescribed burn to establish a strategic low-fuel buffer in Waychinicup National Park should be considered in this context. The area burnt exceeded the planned size. (3) An open-edged prescribed burn was programmed to provide the strategic buffer. The open-edged burn did not extinguish overnight as anticipated; this had occurred in other burns earlier that week. I presume that means that it had extinguished overnight - or I hope that is what it means. (4) Due to the open-edged nature of the prescribed burn, an exact figure for the anticipated burn size was not determined. However, it was expected that 200 to 300 hectares would be burnt. The area burnt was approximately 700 hectares. (5) Yes. A bulldozer was used to contain a portion of the eastern flank of the fire. (6) Yes. Approximately 20 territories were affected. This number will be confirmed by a field audit currently under way. More than 570 territories east of the strategic buffer will now be afforded significant protection as a consequence of the prescribed burn that was carried out. (7) Yes. A number of territories were planned to be burnt. Prior to the burn, several noisy scrub birds were caught and translocated. (8) Because the bird is highly territorial, it is likely that some birds were killed. It is possible that some scrub birds would have survived the fire because of the very low to moderate intensity fire behaviour. (9) The department will conduct a post-fire analysis to determine the factors that contributed towards the fire. An audit of noisy scrub bird territories known within the fire boundary will be conducted.
(1) No. A prescribed burn was lit on the western boundary of the Waychinicup National Park and adjoining crown land. The burn was ignited at 11.00 am on Wednesday, 19 September 2001. (2) The purpose of the burn was to provide a strategic fuel-reduced buffer for the protection of conservation values within the Waychinicup National Park, Mt Manypeaks Nature Reserve and adjoining crown lands, which contain habitat for the noisy scrub bird. The buffer would reduce the risk of fires emanating from adjoining private land from threatening the park. The burn was also to protect adjacent private property from wildfire emanating within the park and adjoining lands. The noisy scrub bird was considered to be extinct until its rediscovery in 1961. At the time of its rediscovery, the noisy scrub bird population was very small and confined to the Mt Gardner area and near the current picnic area at Two Peoples Bay. Through an active program of habitat management and translocations, as documented in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 1996 noisy scrub bird recovery plan, the range of the scrub birds has been extended and its population size has increased within the Two Peoples Bay nature reserve and beyond, including the Waychinicup-Mt Manypeaks area. On 28 December 2000, a wildfire of 6 300 hectares had a significant impact on the Two Peoples Bay scrub bird population. Of the 110 territories counted in the 2000 census, an estimated 60 were burnt. This represents a loss of approximately 54 per cent of the singing males in the Two Peoples Bay subpopulation. It is the adult males that establish territories, and scrub bird numbers are censused by counting the number of singing males. This fire demonstrated the significant risk to noisy scrub birds and other fauna habitats from large fires. The prescribed burn to establish a strategic low-fuel buffer in Waychinicup National Park should be considered in this context. The area burnt exceeded the planned size. (3) An open-edged prescribed burn was programmed to provide the strategic buffer. The open-edged burn did not extinguish overnight as anticipated; this had occurred in other burns earlier that week. I presume that means that it had extinguished overnight - or I hope that is what it means. (4) Due to the open-edged nature of the prescribed burn, an exact figure for the anticipated burn size was not determined. However, it was expected that 200 to 300 hectares would be burnt. The area burnt was approximately 700 hectares. (5) Yes. A bulldozer was used to contain a portion of the eastern flank of the fire. (6) Yes. Approximately 20 territories were affected. This number will be confirmed by a field audit currently under way. More than 570 territories east of the strategic buffer will now be afforded significant protection as a consequence of the prescribed burn that was carried out. (7) Yes. A number of territories were planned to be burnt. Prior to the burn, several noisy scrub birds were caught and translocated. (8) Because the bird is highly territorial, it is likely that some birds were killed. It is possible that some scrub birds would have survived the fire because of the very low to moderate intensity fire behaviour. (9) The department will conduct a post-fire analysis to determine the factors that contributed towards the fire. An audit of noisy scrub bird territories known within the fire boundary will be conducted.
(2) The purpose of the burn was to provide a strategic fuel-reduced buffer for the protection of conservation values within the Waychinicup National Park, Mt Manypeaks Nature Reserve and adjoining crown lands, which contain habitat for the noisy scrub bird. The buffer would reduce the risk of fires emanating from adjoining private land from threatening the park. The burn was also to protect adjacent private property from wildfire emanating within the park and adjoining lands. The noisy scrub bird was considered to be extinct until its rediscovery in 1961. At the time of its rediscovery, the noisy scrub bird population was very small and confined to the Mt Gardner area and near the current picnic area at Two Peoples Bay. Through an active program of habitat management and translocations, as documented in the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s 1996 noisy scrub bird recovery plan, the range of the scrub birds has been extended and its population size has increased within the Two Peoples Bay nature reserve and beyond, including the Waychinicup-Mt Manypeaks area. On 28 December 2000, a wildfire of 6 300 hectares had a significant impact on the Two Peoples Bay scrub bird population. Of the 110 territories counted in the 2000 census, an estimated 60 were burnt. This represents a loss of approximately 54 per cent of the singing males in the Two Peoples Bay subpopulation. It is the adult males that establish territories, and scrub bird numbers are censused by counting the number of singing males. This fire demonstrated the significant risk to noisy scrub birds and other fauna habitats from large fires. The prescribed burn to establish a strategic low-fuel buffer in Waychinicup National Park should be considered in this context. The area burnt exceeded the planned size. (3) An open-edged prescribed burn was programmed to provide the strategic buffer. The open-edged burn did not extinguish overnight as anticipated; this had occurred in other burns earlier that week. I presume that means that it had extinguished overnight - or I hope that is what it means. (4) Due to the open-edged nature of the prescribed burn, an exact figure for the anticipated burn size was not determined. However, it was expected that 200 to 300 hectares would be burnt. The area burnt was approximately 700 hectares. (5) Yes. A bulldozer was used to contain a portion of the eastern flank of the fire. (6) Yes. Approximately 20 territories were affected. This number will be confirmed by a field audit currently under way. More than 570 territories east of the strategic buffer will now be afforded significant protection as a consequence of the prescribed burn that was carried out. (7) Yes. A number of territories were planned to be burnt. Prior to the burn, several noisy scrub birds were caught and translocated. (8) Because the bird is highly territorial, it is likely that some birds were killed. It is possible that some scrub birds would have survived the fire because of the very low to moderate intensity fire behaviour. (9) The department will conduct a post-fire analysis to determine the factors that contributed towards the fire. An audit of noisy scrub bird territories known within the fire boundary will be conducted.
On 28 December 2000, a wildfire of 6 300 hectares had a significant impact on the Two Peoples Bay scrub bird population. Of the 110 territories counted in the 2000 census, an estimated 60 were burnt. This represents a loss of approximately 54 per cent of the singing males in the Two Peoples Bay subpopulation. It is the adult males that establish territories, and scrub bird numbers are censused by counting the number of singing males. This fire demonstrated the significant risk to noisy scrub birds and other fauna habitats from large fires. The prescribed burn to establish a strategic low-fuel buffer in Waychinicup National Park should be considered in this context. The area burnt exceeded the planned size.
(4) Due to the open-edged nature of the prescribed burn, an exact figure for the anticipated burn size was not determined. However, it was expected that 200 to 300 hectares would be burnt. The area burnt was approximately 700 hectares. (5) Yes. A bulldozer was used to contain a portion of the eastern flank of the fire. (6) Yes. Approximately 20 territories were affected. This number will be confirmed by a field audit currently under way. More than 570 territories east of the strategic buffer will now be afforded significant protection as a consequence of the prescribed burn that was carried out. (7) Yes. A number of territories were planned to be burnt. Prior to the burn, several noisy scrub birds were caught and translocated. (8) Because the bird is highly territorial, it is likely that some birds were killed. It is possible that some scrub birds would have survived the fire because of the very low to moderate intensity fire behaviour. (9) The department will conduct a post-fire analysis to determine the factors that contributed towards the fire. An audit of noisy scrub bird territories known within the fire boundary will be conducted.
(5) Yes. A bulldozer was used to contain a portion of the eastern flank of the fire. (6) Yes. Approximately 20 territories were affected. This number will be confirmed by a field audit currently under way. More than 570 territories east of the strategic buffer will now be afforded significant protection as a consequence of the prescribed burn that was carried out. (7) Yes. A number of territories were planned to be burnt. Prior to the burn, several noisy scrub birds were caught and translocated. (8) Because the bird is highly territorial, it is likely that some birds were killed. It is possible that some scrub birds would have survived the fire because of the very low to moderate intensity fire behaviour. (9) The department will conduct a post-fire analysis to determine the factors that contributed towards the fire. An audit of noisy scrub bird territories known within the fire boundary will be conducted.
(6) Yes. Approximately 20 territories were affected. This number will be confirmed by a field audit currently under way. More than 570 territories east of the strategic buffer will now be afforded significant protection as a consequence of the prescribed burn that was carried out. (7) Yes. A number of territories were planned to be burnt. Prior to the burn, several noisy scrub birds were caught and translocated. (8) Because the bird is highly territorial, it is likely that some birds were killed. It is possible that some scrub birds would have survived the fire because of the very low to moderate intensity fire behaviour. (9) The department will conduct a post-fire analysis to determine the factors that contributed towards the fire. An audit of noisy scrub bird territories known within the fire boundary will be conducted.
(7) Yes. A number of territories were planned to be burnt. Prior to the burn, several noisy scrub birds were caught and translocated. (8) Because the bird is highly territorial, it is likely that some birds were killed. It is possible that some scrub birds would have survived the fire because of the very low to moderate intensity fire behaviour. (9) The department will conduct a post-fire analysis to determine the factors that contributed towards the fire. An audit of noisy scrub bird territories known within the fire boundary will be conducted.
(8) Because the bird is highly territorial, it is likely that some birds were killed. It is possible that some scrub birds would have survived the fire because of the very low to moderate intensity fire behaviour. (9) The department will conduct a post-fire analysis to determine the factors that contributed towards the fire. An audit of noisy scrub bird territories known within the fire boundary will be conducted.
(9) The department will conduct a post-fire analysis to determine the factors that contributed towards the fire. An audit of noisy scrub bird territories known within the fire boundary will be conducted.
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