A parliamentary question seeks information on police concerns regarding the public release of fuel load data, following a recommendation from the Keelty inquiry into the Kelmscott Roleystone fires. The police answer confirms concerns about arson risk and states no alternative proposals are being considered.

AnsweredQoN 7292Legislative Assembly
Asked
22 February 2012
Portfolio
Police

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to a recommendation of the Keelty inquiry into the Kelmscott Roleystone fires that fuel load information be made public and to concerns expressed by police that this may facilitate arson, and I ask:
(a) what is the basis of these concerns;
(b) is there any evidence from Western Australia or elsewhere to support these assertions;
(c) have police examined any alternatives for release of this information which might minimise this risk; and
(i) if so, what alternative proposals, if any, are being examined?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
20 March 2012
Responded by
Minister for Police
Response time
27 days
(a) If fuel load information was openly available to the public, it would present an avenue for recidivist fire lighters to research and target these areas creating an unnecessary risk to the community.
(b) Anecdotal evidence gleaned from interviewing many bushfire fire lighters suggests the motivation can be as simple as excitement or relieving boredom.  This would suggest that the least amount of information about fire prone areas available to a bushfire fire lighter lessens the risk to the community.
(c) There are currently no alternative proposals being considered.
(i) N/A
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