Shire of Manjimup receives $172,000 in new mitigation scheme to help prepare region for bushfire season

A new bushfire mitigation scheme will see South West councils receive almost $1.2 million in funding to prepare for the upcoming bushfire season. The Shire of Manjimup has received $172,300 from the State Government’s Mitigation Activities Fund to undertake critical bushfire mitigation activities, with the shires of Boyup Brook and Bridgetown-Greenbushes also receiving funding. Grant recipients are required to have a bushfire risk management plan endorsed by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services. Manjimup shire president Donelle Buegge said the funding would help the region get ahead of bushfire season. “It is all about that prevention, rather than wait for something to happen and then try and catch up,” she said. “We have such a volatile bushfire season. Once one starts, it’s really hard to stop. “These funds will be crucial in bolstering our preparedness and improving the safety of our residents during the bushfire season.” Ms Buegge said the State Government had shown support in response to bushfires in the past by providing ample resources to fight blazes. “They really do throw a lot of resources at us,” she said. The financial support will go towards activities including mechanical treatments to reduce fuel levels, creating firebreaks, and undertaking prescribed burns. Ms Buegge said the work would help ease the burden on firefighters in the warmer months. “We are forever thankful for our volunteer fire brigades but they can only do so much—it’s a big ask for volunteers,” she said. The Manjimup shire president said while mitigation activities were in the works, there was a “narrow” window for procedures because of the drying season. She said the Shire had seen very dry soil and high fuel loads on the ground. “With our fuel loads on the ground, we’re quite a few years behind in that burning, and we’re just not getting the chance to catch up,” Ms Buegge said. “We’re also very aware environmentally and what we can do to prepare for that.” Ms Buegge said part of the defence against bushfires would be educating tourists and people from different parts of the world about fire ratings and how to respond in an emergency, such as evacuation procedures. The grants are part of the State Government’s $4 million Bushfire Activity Fund, which is providing funding to 27 local governments.