Home›Questions on Notice›QoN 1171

❓ Hon. Sophie McNeill questions the adequacy of funding and planning for DBCA's prescribed burning research program. The answer outlines the broader Forest Management Plan funding and the Fire Research Collaboration with universities, but doesn't directly address the specific questions about data collection readiness, FTE allocation, routine surveys, and staffing increases.

AnsweredQoN 1171Legislative Council

Asked

11 December 2025

Member

Hon Sophie McNeill

Portfolio

the Environment

QuestionView source ↗

the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attraction (DBCA) has a budget of just over $825,000 per annum until 2027-2028 to carry out the scientific research program into prescribed burning. Noting that the data to be collected or methods for measuring impact of prescribed burning on ecosystems have not yet been determined, I ask: (a) when does DBCA anticipate it will be ready to start collecting and analysing data; (b) how many FTEs are currently allocated to conducting pre- and post-burn flora and fauna surveys per region; (c) are on-ground flora and fauna surveys routinely conducted prior to all prescribed burns; and (d) does DBCA have a plan to increase the number of staff allocated to these surveys once the program is underway?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered

24 February 2026

Responded by

Minister for the Environment

Response time

5 days

(a) - (d) In 2024, the State Government committed more than $67 million over four years to support implementation of the Forest Management Plan 2024–2033 . This allocation includes $825,369 per annum to deliver the 10-year Fire Research Collaboration (FRC) program. The FRC is a long-term research partnership between DBCA and university institutions, established to design and undertake scientific studies examining the impacts of fire management strategies and bushfires on Western Australia’s forest ecosystems, including flora and fauna. The program is intended to strengthen the evidence base for fire ecology and to inform policy and operational decision-making. The FRC has provided funding for two university-based postdoctoral researchers and multiple higher degree research students. Six PhD and Masters candidates have commenced under the program, and participating universities are currently progressing recruitment processes for postdoctoral positions. Research outcomes will be published through peer-reviewed publications as projects are completed.

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