❓ Question regarding the authorisation and environmental impact of firebreaks cut during a bushfire within a proposed Class A Nature Reserve, and whether rehabilitation will occur. The Department of Parks and Wildlife was not involved in the decision to construct firebreaks.
AnsweredQoN 4158Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to question on notice No. 3366 asked on 8 September 2015, and question on notice No. 3574 asked on 19 November 2015 and the proposed Class A
Nature Reserve, bounded on the North and West by the Derby Mudflats, on the
East by Leprosarium Road and on the South by the Gibb River Road and to a bush
fire during early July during which firebreaks were cut, and ask: (a) was the use of graders and/or bulldozers to cut a six kilometre internal firebreak allowed by the Department of Environment and Conservation; (b) if yes to (a), who authorised the operation and why; (c) what environmental effects have there been on the Pliestocene Wanganut sand dunes and surrounding mature pristine native bush as a result of these largely ineffectual fire breaks being cut; (d) will the area be rehabilitated; (e) if yes to (d), when will it be rehabilitated; and (f) if no to (d), why not?
Nature Reserve, bounded on the North and West by the Derby Mudflats, on the
East by Leprosarium Road and on the South by the Gibb River Road and to a bush
fire during early July during which firebreaks were cut, and ask: (a) was the use of graders and/or bulldozers to cut a six kilometre internal firebreak allowed by the Department of Environment and Conservation; (b) if yes to (a), who authorised the operation and why; (c) what environmental effects have there been on the Pliestocene Wanganut sand dunes and surrounding mature pristine native bush as a result of these largely ineffectual fire breaks being cut; (d) will the area be rehabilitated; (e) if yes to (d), when will it be rehabilitated; and (f) if no to (d), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
16 August 2016
Responded by
Minister for Planning representing the Minister for Environment
Response time
56 days
The Minister for Environment has provided the following response.
(a) As per the response to Question on Notice 3754 by Hon Michael Mischin MLC, representing the Minister for Emergency Services, the construction of the identified breaks was authorised by a Fire Control Officer in accordance with the Bush Fires Act 1954 , in consultation with the Regional Duty Coordinator from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services. The Department of Parks and Wildlife was not involved in the fire and played no part in the decision to construct firebreaks.
(b) Not applicable.
(c) No assessment has been carried out by the Department of Parks and Wildlife.
(d) The Department of Fire and Emergency Services indicated that there are no plans to rehabilitate the established breaks due to the natural regeneration anticipated, and their potential use in future bushfire suppression efforts.
(e)-(f) Not applicable.
(a) As per the response to Question on Notice 3754 by Hon Michael Mischin MLC, representing the Minister for Emergency Services, the construction of the identified breaks was authorised by a Fire Control Officer in accordance with the Bush Fires Act 1954 , in consultation with the Regional Duty Coordinator from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services. The Department of Parks and Wildlife was not involved in the fire and played no part in the decision to construct firebreaks.
(b) Not applicable.
(c) No assessment has been carried out by the Department of Parks and Wildlife.
(d) The Department of Fire and Emergency Services indicated that there are no plans to rehabilitate the established breaks due to the natural regeneration anticipated, and their potential use in future bushfire suppression efforts.
(e)-(f) Not applicable.
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