The Department of Fire and Emergency Services has distributed a record $7.5 million to Local Governments to help reduce bushfire risks in their communities in the coming warmer weather.
The Department said a total of 26 Local Governments from the Great Southern, Goldfields, Pilbara and Perth areas were sharing in the allocation through the Mitigation Activity Fund.
Minister for Emergency Services, Reece Whitby said the funding would support Local Governments to conduct more than 1,100 mitigation activities in high bushfire-risk areas on State-owned land, including mechanical treatments to reduce fuel levels, the creation of firebreaks and planned burns.
“Funding for mitigation activities has been available to Local Governments with endorsed Bushfire Risk Management Plans since the Program’s inception in 2017,” Mr Whitby said.
“This record investment will help Local Governments protect their communities by working to reduce the threat of a disastrous bushfire.”
He said while it was impossible to stop every bushfire “the Government is committed to doing everything it can to support Local Governments reduce the risk”.
“Bushfires in the WA landscape are a reality and the Mitigation Activity Fund grants program helps Local Governments prepare for it,” Mr Whitby said.
Further information for Local Governments on how to prepare a Bushfire Risk Management Plan for future Mitigation Activity Fund grant rounds can be accessed at this PS News link.
