❓ A parliamentary question regarding the Department of Environment and Conservation's (DEC) fire mitigation works in the Great Western Woodlands, including track upgrades, scrub rolling, and prescribed burning. The Minister provides details on completed works, timelines, monitoring, and justification for proceeding despite ongoing appeals.
AnsweredQoN 5563Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) In relation to the published plans by the Department of Environment and Conservation to carry out, in the Great Western Woodlands in 2011-2012, 2,613 kilometres of tracks upgrading, 119 kilometres of scrub rolling, and 220,033 hectares of prescribed burning, I ask —
(a) how much of each of these works programs has been completed so far;
(b) what is the timeline for the completion of works;
(c) will the Minister release maps showing what track upgrading works have been completed to date and what are planned for the remainder of 2012;
(d) if no to (1)(c), why not;
(e) in relation to the prescribed burning program, have individual burn plans been written for each of the planned burns;
(f) if yes to (1)(e) —
(i) have all burns conducted to date complied with their respective burn plans;
(ii) if no to (1)(f)(i), in each case, how have those plans been breached and what action will be taken;
(g) will any post-burn monitoring of the prescribed burns be undertaken;
(h) if yes to (1)(g), how will this be conducted and by whom;
(i) will the Minister release the burn plans for each planned prescribed burn; and
(j) if no to (1)(j), why not?
(2) Given that the works referred to in (1) are subject to an ongoing statutory appeals process, does the Minister believe it is acceptable for works to take place while the appeals are being determined?
(3) If no to (2), what will the Minister do to prevent this from continuing?
(a) how much of each of these works programs has been completed so far;
(b) what is the timeline for the completion of works;
(c) will the Minister release maps showing what track upgrading works have been completed to date and what are planned for the remainder of 2012;
(d) if no to (1)(c), why not;
(e) in relation to the prescribed burning program, have individual burn plans been written for each of the planned burns;
(f) if yes to (1)(e) —
(i) have all burns conducted to date complied with their respective burn plans;
(ii) if no to (1)(f)(i), in each case, how have those plans been breached and what action will be taken;
(g) will any post-burn monitoring of the prescribed burns be undertaken;
(h) if yes to (1)(g), how will this be conducted and by whom;
(i) will the Minister release the burn plans for each planned prescribed burn; and
(j) if no to (1)(j), why not?
(2) Given that the works referred to in (1) are subject to an ongoing statutory appeals process, does the Minister believe it is acceptable for works to take place while the appeals are being determined?
(3) If no to (2), what will the Minister do to prevent this from continuing?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
19 June 2012
Responded by
Minister for Mental Health representing the Minister for Environment
Response time
35 days
(1)(a) The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) provided an indicative plan of fire mitigation works to the Great Western Woodlands Reference Group in August 2011. These works are subject to progressive field assessments.
Approximately 1,332 kilometres of track upgrades, 59 kilometres of scrub rolling or firebreaks and 299,950 hectares of prescribed burn treatment area, comprising an estimated 13,000 to 19,500 hectares of burnt area, have been completed to date. Some of the prescribed burns include areas adjacent to the Great Western Woodlands, with the purpose of protecting the values of the woodlands.
(b) No further fire mitigation works are proposed for 2011/12. Works proposed for 2012/13 are subject to field assessments.
(c)-(d) A map of the completed fire mitigation works for 2011/12 will be forwarded to the Member by DEC.
(e) Yes
(f)(i) Yes
(f)(ii) Not applicable
(g) Requirements for post burn monitoring are identified in the individual burn prescriptions and are dependent on the burn objectives, prescription and outcomes and the known values for each site.
(h) Monitoring is carried out through satellite imagery acquisition, analysis and field inspections by regional and specialist DEC staff.
(i) Plans for prescribed burns undertaken in autumn 2012 are available on DEC's website.
(j) Not applicable
(2)-(3) The occurrence of large unmanaged bushfires has been identified as the most significant threat to the biodiversity and cultural values of the Great Western Woodlands.
A Biodiversity and Cultural Conservation Strategy for the Great Western Woodlands
, Great Western Woodlands fire management plan and fire mitigation works, aimed at reducing the potential for large unmanaged fires, have been subject to a consultation process involving a broad range of stakeholders and have received support from the majority of these stakeholders.
Without this work the potential for large unmanaged bushfires in the Great Western Woodlands will remain unchanged.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
Approximately 1,332 kilometres of track upgrades, 59 kilometres of scrub rolling or firebreaks and 299,950 hectares of prescribed burn treatment area, comprising an estimated 13,000 to 19,500 hectares of burnt area, have been completed to date. Some of the prescribed burns include areas adjacent to the Great Western Woodlands, with the purpose of protecting the values of the woodlands.
(b) No further fire mitigation works are proposed for 2011/12. Works proposed for 2012/13 are subject to field assessments.
(c)-(d) A map of the completed fire mitigation works for 2011/12 will be forwarded to the Member by DEC.
(e) Yes
(f)(i) Yes
(f)(ii) Not applicable
(g) Requirements for post burn monitoring are identified in the individual burn prescriptions and are dependent on the burn objectives, prescription and outcomes and the known values for each site.
(h) Monitoring is carried out through satellite imagery acquisition, analysis and field inspections by regional and specialist DEC staff.
(i) Plans for prescribed burns undertaken in autumn 2012 are available on DEC's website.
(j) Not applicable
(2)-(3) The occurrence of large unmanaged bushfires has been identified as the most significant threat to the biodiversity and cultural values of the Great Western Woodlands.
A Biodiversity and Cultural Conservation Strategy for the Great Western Woodlands
, Great Western Woodlands fire management plan and fire mitigation works, aimed at reducing the potential for large unmanaged fires, have been subject to a consultation process involving a broad range of stakeholders and have received support from the majority of these stakeholders.
Without this work the potential for large unmanaged bushfires in the Great Western Woodlands will remain unchanged.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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