❓ A WA parliamentary question seeks information on prescribed burns on Crown Land, specifically regarding decision-making authority, scientific input, and community involvement. The answer clarifies the roles of DBCA, scientists, and community engagement in the prescribed burning process.
AnsweredQoN 1340Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Which agency or agencies are authorised to make decisions about undertaking prescribed burns on Crown Land in the three south-west forest regions: (a) on what statutory basis do they make these decisions? (2) Do scientists with peer-reviewed and published studies on fire ecology have any formal input into the decisions about undertaking prescribed burns on Crown Land in the three south-west forest regions: (a) if yes to (2), what input and through what process; and (b) if no to (2), why not? (3) Do community members who live in the three south-west forest regions have any formal input into these decisions: (a) if yes to (3), what input and through what process; and (b) if no to (3), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 April 2026
Responded by
Minister for the Environment
Response time
4 days
(1) (a) Responsibility for bushfire mitigation on Crown land rests with the entity in whom the land is vested, or the agency otherwise authorised to manage the land, unless an alternative arrangement has been formally agreed. The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) is the lead agency authorised to make decisions about undertaking prescribed burns on Crown land to which the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984 (CALM Act) applies. This includes land such as State forest, national park, nature reserve and conservation park.
(2) Yes.
(a) DBCA’s Biodiversity and Conservation Science area coordinates and delivers scientific capability across DBCA, providing scientific and biodiversity expertise to support DBCA’s fire management program. This expertise is incorporated into operational procedures, which inform prescribed burn planning and implementation.
(b) Not applicable
(3)
(a) DBCA engages with a range of stakeholder groups regarding its prescribed burning program, including the local community. In mid-2025, ahead of finalising the Burn Options Program, DBCA held community fire management public meetings in Manjimup and Walpole to provide information on the Warren Region fire management program. These meetings involved local staff and members of DBCA’s Fire Science Program and covered a broad range of topics, including fire program planning, implementation considerations for the Burn Options Program, and current research being undertaken by the Fire Science Program. Information gathered through these processes is considered during prescribed burn planning.
(b) Not applicable.
(2) Yes.
(a) DBCA’s Biodiversity and Conservation Science area coordinates and delivers scientific capability across DBCA, providing scientific and biodiversity expertise to support DBCA’s fire management program. This expertise is incorporated into operational procedures, which inform prescribed burn planning and implementation.
(b) Not applicable
(3)
(a) DBCA engages with a range of stakeholder groups regarding its prescribed burning program, including the local community. In mid-2025, ahead of finalising the Burn Options Program, DBCA held community fire management public meetings in Manjimup and Walpole to provide information on the Warren Region fire management program. These meetings involved local staff and members of DBCA’s Fire Science Program and covered a broad range of topics, including fire program planning, implementation considerations for the Burn Options Program, and current research being undertaken by the Fire Science Program. Information gathered through these processes is considered during prescribed burn planning.
(b) Not applicable.
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