❓ Question on Notice regarding a recent fire in Cape Arid National Park, including its cause, extent, control efforts, and impact on threatened fauna. The Minister provides detailed answers regarding the fire's origin, suppression, area burnt, and the presence/impact on specific threatened species.
AnsweredQoN 252Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
In relation to Cape Arid National Park -
(1) Can the Minister confirm that there has been a recent significant fire in Cape Arid National Park?
(2) If yes, -
(a) when did it start;
(b) how did it start;
(c) how long did it last;
(d) what efforts were made to control the fire;
(e) how many hectares were burnt;
(f) what proportion of the Park does this represent; and
(g) are any of the following threatened fauna found in the Park -
(i) Rufous Bristlebird;
(ii) Ground Parrot;
(iii) Western Bristlebird;
(iv) Western Whipbird;
(v) Noisy Scrub-bird;
(vi) Malleefowl;
(vii) Gilbert’s Potoroo; and
(viii) others (please specify)?
(3) Was any of their habitat burnt in the fire?
(4) If yes, how many hectares and what percentage of each species’ habitat in the Park does this represent?
(1) Can the Minister confirm that there has been a recent significant fire in Cape Arid National Park?
(2) If yes, -
(a) when did it start;
(b) how did it start;
(c) how long did it last;
(d) what efforts were made to control the fire;
(e) how many hectares were burnt;
(f) what proportion of the Park does this represent; and
(g) are any of the following threatened fauna found in the Park -
(i) Rufous Bristlebird;
(ii) Ground Parrot;
(iii) Western Bristlebird;
(iv) Western Whipbird;
(v) Noisy Scrub-bird;
(vi) Malleefowl;
(vii) Gilbert’s Potoroo; and
(viii) others (please specify)?
(3) Was any of their habitat burnt in the fire?
(4) If yes, how many hectares and what percentage of each species’ habitat in the Park does this represent?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
26 November 2002
Responded by
Minister for Housing and Works representing the Minister for the Environment and Heritage
Response time
20 days
(b) how did it start; (c) how long did it last; (d) what efforts were made to control the fire; (e) how many hectares were burnt; (f) what proportion of the Park does this represent; and (g) are any of the following threatened fauna found in the Park - (i) Rufous Bristlebird; (ii) Ground Parrot; (iii) Western Bristlebird; (iv) Western Whipbird; (v) Noisy Scrub-bird; (vi) Malleefowl; (vii) Gilbert’s Potoroo; and (viii) others (please specify)?
(c) how long did it last; (d) what efforts were made to control the fire; (e) how many hectares were burnt; (f) what proportion of the Park does this represent; and (g) are any of the following threatened fauna found in the Park - (i) Rufous Bristlebird; (ii) Ground Parrot; (iii) Western Bristlebird; (iv) Western Whipbird; (v) Noisy Scrub-bird; (vi) Malleefowl; (vii) Gilbert’s Potoroo; and (viii) others (please specify)?
(d) what efforts were made to control the fire; (e) how many hectares were burnt; (f) what proportion of the Park does this represent; and (g) are any of the following threatened fauna found in the Park - (i) Rufous Bristlebird; (ii) Ground Parrot; (iii) Western Bristlebird; (iv) Western Whipbird; (v) Noisy Scrub-bird; (vi) Malleefowl; (vii) Gilbert’s Potoroo; and (viii) others (please specify)?
(e) how many hectares were burnt; (f) what proportion of the Park does this represent; and (g) are any of the following threatened fauna found in the Park - (i) Rufous Bristlebird; (ii) Ground Parrot; (iii) Western Bristlebird; (iv) Western Whipbird; (v) Noisy Scrub-bird; (vi) Malleefowl; (vii) Gilbert’s Potoroo; and (viii) others (please specify)?
(f) what proportion of the Park does this represent; and (g) are any of the following threatened fauna found in the Park - (i) Rufous Bristlebird; (ii) Ground Parrot; (iii) Western Bristlebird; (iv) Western Whipbird; (v) Noisy Scrub-bird; (vi) Malleefowl; (vii) Gilbert’s Potoroo; and (viii) others (please specify)?
(g) are any of the following threatened fauna found in the Park - (i) Rufous Bristlebird; (ii) Ground Parrot; (iii) Western Bristlebird; (iv) Western Whipbird; (v) Noisy Scrub-bird; (vi) Malleefowl; (vii) Gilbert’s Potoroo; and (viii) others (please specify)?
(ii) Ground Parrot; (iii) Western Bristlebird; (iv) Western Whipbird; (v) Noisy Scrub-bird; (vi) Malleefowl; (vii) Gilbert’s Potoroo; and (viii) others (please specify)?
(iii) Western Bristlebird; (iv) Western Whipbird; (v) Noisy Scrub-bird; (vi) Malleefowl; (vii) Gilbert’s Potoroo; and (viii) others (please specify)?
(iv) Western Whipbird; (v) Noisy Scrub-bird; (vi) Malleefowl; (vii) Gilbert’s Potoroo; and (viii) others (please specify)?
(v) Noisy Scrub-bird; (vi) Malleefowl; (vii) Gilbert’s Potoroo; and (viii) others (please specify)?
(vi) Malleefowl; (vii) Gilbert’s Potoroo; and (viii) others (please specify)?
(vii) Gilbert’s Potoroo; and (viii) others (please specify)?
(viii) others (please specify)?
(2) (a) The fire entered Cape Arid National Park on 17 October 2002. (b) The fire escaped from a burn being conducted by local bushfire brigades in Unallocated Crown Lands adjoining private farmlands, approximately 25 km west of Cape Arid National Park. The fire that entered the park is believed to have escaped from the brigade burn on 16 or 17 October. (c) Suppression activity to protect park values was undertaken by the Department of Conservation and Land Management over five days. (d) The brigade attempted direct attack with fire units at time of escape. This failed due to fire intensity and limited resources. The Department subsequently undertook indirect attack from established roads and tracks using backburning techniques to limit fire spread within the national park. (e) Approximately 90,000 hectares were burnt in total, including approximately 50,000 hectares in Cape Arid National Park. (f) Approximately 18 percent. (g) (i) No. This bird is considered extinct in WA (and was only ever known from the Leeuwin-Naturaliste area). (ii) No recent records. Last reported in 1994. Several surveys have been conducted in the Cape Arid National Park in recent years but no sightings have been recorded. (iii) No. (iv) No. (v) No. (vi) Possibly. No known sightings in the area. (vii) No. (viii) Chuditch were translocated to the southern area of the national park in 1998. This area was not in the fire area. (3) No habitat known to be occupied by any of the above species was burnt. (4) Not applicable.
(b) The fire escaped from a burn being conducted by local bushfire brigades in Unallocated Crown Lands adjoining private farmlands, approximately 25 km west of Cape Arid National Park. The fire that entered the park is believed to have escaped from the brigade burn on 16 or 17 October. (c) Suppression activity to protect park values was undertaken by the Department of Conservation and Land Management over five days. (d) The brigade attempted direct attack with fire units at time of escape. This failed due to fire intensity and limited resources. The Department subsequently undertook indirect attack from established roads and tracks using backburning techniques to limit fire spread within the national park. (e) Approximately 90,000 hectares were burnt in total, including approximately 50,000 hectares in Cape Arid National Park. (f) Approximately 18 percent. (g) (i) No. This bird is considered extinct in WA (and was only ever known from the Leeuwin-Naturaliste area). (ii) No recent records. Last reported in 1994. Several surveys have been conducted in the Cape Arid National Park in recent years but no sightings have been recorded. (iii) No. (iv) No. (v) No. (vi) Possibly. No known sightings in the area. (vii) No. (viii) Chuditch were translocated to the southern area of the national park in 1998. This area was not in the fire area. (3) No habitat known to be occupied by any of the above species was burnt. (4) Not applicable.
(c) Suppression activity to protect park values was undertaken by the Department of Conservation and Land Management over five days. (d) The brigade attempted direct attack with fire units at time of escape. This failed due to fire intensity and limited resources. The Department subsequently undertook indirect attack from established roads and tracks using backburning techniques to limit fire spread within the national park. (e) Approximately 90,000 hectares were burnt in total, including approximately 50,000 hectares in Cape Arid National Park. (f) Approximately 18 percent. (g) (i) No. This bird is considered extinct in WA (and was only ever known from the Leeuwin-Naturaliste area). (ii) No recent records. Last reported in 1994. Several surveys have been conducted in the Cape Arid National Park in recent years but no sightings have been recorded. (iii) No. (iv) No. (v) No. (vi) Possibly. No known sightings in the area. (vii) No. (viii) Chuditch were translocated to the southern area of the national park in 1998. This area was not in the fire area. (3) No habitat known to be occupied by any of the above species was burnt. (4) Not applicable.
(d) The brigade attempted direct attack with fire units at time of escape. This failed due to fire intensity and limited resources. The Department subsequently undertook indirect attack from established roads and tracks using backburning techniques to limit fire spread within the national park. (e) Approximately 90,000 hectares were burnt in total, including approximately 50,000 hectares in Cape Arid National Park. (f) Approximately 18 percent. (g) (i) No. This bird is considered extinct in WA (and was only ever known from the Leeuwin-Naturaliste area). (ii) No recent records. Last reported in 1994. Several surveys have been conducted in the Cape Arid National Park in recent years but no sightings have been recorded. (iii) No. (iv) No. (v) No. (vi) Possibly. No known sightings in the area. (vii) No. (viii) Chuditch were translocated to the southern area of the national park in 1998. This area was not in the fire area. (3) No habitat known to be occupied by any of the above species was burnt. (4) Not applicable.
(e) Approximately 90,000 hectares were burnt in total, including approximately 50,000 hectares in Cape Arid National Park. (f) Approximately 18 percent. (g) (i) No. This bird is considered extinct in WA (and was only ever known from the Leeuwin-Naturaliste area). (ii) No recent records. Last reported in 1994. Several surveys have been conducted in the Cape Arid National Park in recent years but no sightings have been recorded. (iii) No. (iv) No. (v) No. (vi) Possibly. No known sightings in the area. (vii) No. (viii) Chuditch were translocated to the southern area of the national park in 1998. This area was not in the fire area. (3) No habitat known to be occupied by any of the above species was burnt. (4) Not applicable.
(f) Approximately 18 percent. (g) (i) No. This bird is considered extinct in WA (and was only ever known from the Leeuwin-Naturaliste area). (ii) No recent records. Last reported in 1994. Several surveys have been conducted in the Cape Arid National Park in recent years but no sightings have been recorded. (iii) No. (iv) No. (v) No. (vi) Possibly. No known sightings in the area. (vii) No. (viii) Chuditch were translocated to the southern area of the national park in 1998. This area was not in the fire area. (3) No habitat known to be occupied by any of the above species was burnt. (4) Not applicable.
(g) (i) No. This bird is considered extinct in WA (and was only ever known from the Leeuwin-Naturaliste area). (ii) No recent records. Last reported in 1994. Several surveys have been conducted in the Cape Arid National Park in recent years but no sightings have been recorded. (iii) No. (iv) No. (v) No. (vi) Possibly. No known sightings in the area. (vii) No. (viii) Chuditch were translocated to the southern area of the national park in 1998. This area was not in the fire area. (3) No habitat known to be occupied by any of the above species was burnt. (4) Not applicable.
(3) No habitat known to be occupied by any of the above species was burnt. (4) Not applicable.
(4) Not applicable.
(c) how long did it last; (d) what efforts were made to control the fire; (e) how many hectares were burnt; (f) what proportion of the Park does this represent; and (g) are any of the following threatened fauna found in the Park - (i) Rufous Bristlebird; (ii) Ground Parrot; (iii) Western Bristlebird; (iv) Western Whipbird; (v) Noisy Scrub-bird; (vi) Malleefowl; (vii) Gilbert’s Potoroo; and (viii) others (please specify)?
(d) what efforts were made to control the fire; (e) how many hectares were burnt; (f) what proportion of the Park does this represent; and (g) are any of the following threatened fauna found in the Park - (i) Rufous Bristlebird; (ii) Ground Parrot; (iii) Western Bristlebird; (iv) Western Whipbird; (v) Noisy Scrub-bird; (vi) Malleefowl; (vii) Gilbert’s Potoroo; and (viii) others (please specify)?
(e) how many hectares were burnt; (f) what proportion of the Park does this represent; and (g) are any of the following threatened fauna found in the Park - (i) Rufous Bristlebird; (ii) Ground Parrot; (iii) Western Bristlebird; (iv) Western Whipbird; (v) Noisy Scrub-bird; (vi) Malleefowl; (vii) Gilbert’s Potoroo; and (viii) others (please specify)?
(f) what proportion of the Park does this represent; and (g) are any of the following threatened fauna found in the Park - (i) Rufous Bristlebird; (ii) Ground Parrot; (iii) Western Bristlebird; (iv) Western Whipbird; (v) Noisy Scrub-bird; (vi) Malleefowl; (vii) Gilbert’s Potoroo; and (viii) others (please specify)?
(g) are any of the following threatened fauna found in the Park - (i) Rufous Bristlebird; (ii) Ground Parrot; (iii) Western Bristlebird; (iv) Western Whipbird; (v) Noisy Scrub-bird; (vi) Malleefowl; (vii) Gilbert’s Potoroo; and (viii) others (please specify)?
(ii) Ground Parrot; (iii) Western Bristlebird; (iv) Western Whipbird; (v) Noisy Scrub-bird; (vi) Malleefowl; (vii) Gilbert’s Potoroo; and (viii) others (please specify)?
(iii) Western Bristlebird; (iv) Western Whipbird; (v) Noisy Scrub-bird; (vi) Malleefowl; (vii) Gilbert’s Potoroo; and (viii) others (please specify)?
(iv) Western Whipbird; (v) Noisy Scrub-bird; (vi) Malleefowl; (vii) Gilbert’s Potoroo; and (viii) others (please specify)?
(v) Noisy Scrub-bird; (vi) Malleefowl; (vii) Gilbert’s Potoroo; and (viii) others (please specify)?
(vi) Malleefowl; (vii) Gilbert’s Potoroo; and (viii) others (please specify)?
(vii) Gilbert’s Potoroo; and (viii) others (please specify)?
(viii) others (please specify)?
(2) (a) The fire entered Cape Arid National Park on 17 October 2002. (b) The fire escaped from a burn being conducted by local bushfire brigades in Unallocated Crown Lands adjoining private farmlands, approximately 25 km west of Cape Arid National Park. The fire that entered the park is believed to have escaped from the brigade burn on 16 or 17 October. (c) Suppression activity to protect park values was undertaken by the Department of Conservation and Land Management over five days. (d) The brigade attempted direct attack with fire units at time of escape. This failed due to fire intensity and limited resources. The Department subsequently undertook indirect attack from established roads and tracks using backburning techniques to limit fire spread within the national park. (e) Approximately 90,000 hectares were burnt in total, including approximately 50,000 hectares in Cape Arid National Park. (f) Approximately 18 percent. (g) (i) No. This bird is considered extinct in WA (and was only ever known from the Leeuwin-Naturaliste area). (ii) No recent records. Last reported in 1994. Several surveys have been conducted in the Cape Arid National Park in recent years but no sightings have been recorded. (iii) No. (iv) No. (v) No. (vi) Possibly. No known sightings in the area. (vii) No. (viii) Chuditch were translocated to the southern area of the national park in 1998. This area was not in the fire area. (3) No habitat known to be occupied by any of the above species was burnt. (4) Not applicable.
(b) The fire escaped from a burn being conducted by local bushfire brigades in Unallocated Crown Lands adjoining private farmlands, approximately 25 km west of Cape Arid National Park. The fire that entered the park is believed to have escaped from the brigade burn on 16 or 17 October. (c) Suppression activity to protect park values was undertaken by the Department of Conservation and Land Management over five days. (d) The brigade attempted direct attack with fire units at time of escape. This failed due to fire intensity and limited resources. The Department subsequently undertook indirect attack from established roads and tracks using backburning techniques to limit fire spread within the national park. (e) Approximately 90,000 hectares were burnt in total, including approximately 50,000 hectares in Cape Arid National Park. (f) Approximately 18 percent. (g) (i) No. This bird is considered extinct in WA (and was only ever known from the Leeuwin-Naturaliste area). (ii) No recent records. Last reported in 1994. Several surveys have been conducted in the Cape Arid National Park in recent years but no sightings have been recorded. (iii) No. (iv) No. (v) No. (vi) Possibly. No known sightings in the area. (vii) No. (viii) Chuditch were translocated to the southern area of the national park in 1998. This area was not in the fire area. (3) No habitat known to be occupied by any of the above species was burnt. (4) Not applicable.
(c) Suppression activity to protect park values was undertaken by the Department of Conservation and Land Management over five days. (d) The brigade attempted direct attack with fire units at time of escape. This failed due to fire intensity and limited resources. The Department subsequently undertook indirect attack from established roads and tracks using backburning techniques to limit fire spread within the national park. (e) Approximately 90,000 hectares were burnt in total, including approximately 50,000 hectares in Cape Arid National Park. (f) Approximately 18 percent. (g) (i) No. This bird is considered extinct in WA (and was only ever known from the Leeuwin-Naturaliste area). (ii) No recent records. Last reported in 1994. Several surveys have been conducted in the Cape Arid National Park in recent years but no sightings have been recorded. (iii) No. (iv) No. (v) No. (vi) Possibly. No known sightings in the area. (vii) No. (viii) Chuditch were translocated to the southern area of the national park in 1998. This area was not in the fire area. (3) No habitat known to be occupied by any of the above species was burnt. (4) Not applicable.
(d) The brigade attempted direct attack with fire units at time of escape. This failed due to fire intensity and limited resources. The Department subsequently undertook indirect attack from established roads and tracks using backburning techniques to limit fire spread within the national park. (e) Approximately 90,000 hectares were burnt in total, including approximately 50,000 hectares in Cape Arid National Park. (f) Approximately 18 percent. (g) (i) No. This bird is considered extinct in WA (and was only ever known from the Leeuwin-Naturaliste area). (ii) No recent records. Last reported in 1994. Several surveys have been conducted in the Cape Arid National Park in recent years but no sightings have been recorded. (iii) No. (iv) No. (v) No. (vi) Possibly. No known sightings in the area. (vii) No. (viii) Chuditch were translocated to the southern area of the national park in 1998. This area was not in the fire area. (3) No habitat known to be occupied by any of the above species was burnt. (4) Not applicable.
(e) Approximately 90,000 hectares were burnt in total, including approximately 50,000 hectares in Cape Arid National Park. (f) Approximately 18 percent. (g) (i) No. This bird is considered extinct in WA (and was only ever known from the Leeuwin-Naturaliste area). (ii) No recent records. Last reported in 1994. Several surveys have been conducted in the Cape Arid National Park in recent years but no sightings have been recorded. (iii) No. (iv) No. (v) No. (vi) Possibly. No known sightings in the area. (vii) No. (viii) Chuditch were translocated to the southern area of the national park in 1998. This area was not in the fire area. (3) No habitat known to be occupied by any of the above species was burnt. (4) Not applicable.
(f) Approximately 18 percent. (g) (i) No. This bird is considered extinct in WA (and was only ever known from the Leeuwin-Naturaliste area). (ii) No recent records. Last reported in 1994. Several surveys have been conducted in the Cape Arid National Park in recent years but no sightings have been recorded. (iii) No. (iv) No. (v) No. (vi) Possibly. No known sightings in the area. (vii) No. (viii) Chuditch were translocated to the southern area of the national park in 1998. This area was not in the fire area. (3) No habitat known to be occupied by any of the above species was burnt. (4) Not applicable.
(g) (i) No. This bird is considered extinct in WA (and was only ever known from the Leeuwin-Naturaliste area). (ii) No recent records. Last reported in 1994. Several surveys have been conducted in the Cape Arid National Park in recent years but no sightings have been recorded. (iii) No. (iv) No. (v) No. (vi) Possibly. No known sightings in the area. (vii) No. (viii) Chuditch were translocated to the southern area of the national park in 1998. This area was not in the fire area. (3) No habitat known to be occupied by any of the above species was burnt. (4) Not applicable.
(3) No habitat known to be occupied by any of the above species was burnt. (4) Not applicable.
(4) Not applicable.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.