❓ Dr. Pettitt questions the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) about delaying planned burns in the South West due to drought conditions. The response indicates a reduced burning program due to dry conditions, with burns only proceeding under strict conditions.
AnsweredQoN 541Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
PRESCRIBED BURNING — SOUTH WEST
541. Hon Dr BRAD PETTITT to the parliamentary secretary representing the
Minister for Environment:
I refer the record-shattering
summer of heat in Western Australia and the drought and dry conditions in the
south of WA.
(1) Does the
Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions intend to delay any
planned burns during this autumn?
(2) If yes to (1), what burns have
been and/or will be delayed?
(3) If no to (1), why not?
541. Hon Dr BRAD PETTITT to the parliamentary secretary representing the
Minister for Environment:
I refer the record-shattering
summer of heat in Western Australia and the drought and dry conditions in the
south of WA.
(1) Does the
Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions intend to delay any
planned burns during this autumn?
(2) If yes to (1), what burns have
been and/or will be delayed?
(3) If no to (1), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. On behalf of the Minister for Environment, I provide
the following answer.
(1)–(3) Lower
than average rainfall across the south west during the last six months has
produced some areas of unusually dry forest and increased underlying soil
dryness. The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions has
worked closely with the Bureau of Meteorology to identify when sufficient
rainfall may allow prescribed burning to commence this autumn under the right
conditions. Recent rainfall across the south west has seen the soil dryness
index fall within DBCA's guidelines for autumn prescribed burning in
some locations. However, given the prolonged dry period that has been
experienced across the south west, DBCA is
taking a measured approach to undertaking autumn burning under the right
conditions .
Given these factors, it is likely
that the scale of DBCA's burn options program for autumn will be
considerably reduced in comparison with a typical autumn season. Consistent
with DBCA procedures, a prescribed burn will be approved to proceed only where
the prevailing environmental conditions satisfy those within the approved
prescribed burn plan.
some notice of the question. On behalf of the Minister for Environment, I provide
the following answer.
(1)–(3) Lower
than average rainfall across the south west during the last six months has
produced some areas of unusually dry forest and increased underlying soil
dryness. The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions has
worked closely with the Bureau of Meteorology to identify when sufficient
rainfall may allow prescribed burning to commence this autumn under the right
conditions. Recent rainfall across the south west has seen the soil dryness
index fall within DBCA's guidelines for autumn prescribed burning in
some locations. However, given the prolonged dry period that has been
experienced across the south west, DBCA is
taking a measured approach to undertaking autumn burning under the right
conditions .
Given these factors, it is likely
that the scale of DBCA's burn options program for autumn will be
considerably reduced in comparison with a typical autumn season. Consistent
with DBCA procedures, a prescribed burn will be approved to proceed only where
the prevailing environmental conditions satisfy those within the approved
prescribed burn plan.
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