27 September 2023

Bushfire inquiry to call for submissions

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An independent review launched into the Wooroloo Bushfire which destroyed 86 homes, will be seeking public submissions.

The inquiry will be led by the Australasian Fire and Emergency Services Authorities Council (AFAC), which recently conducted an independent review into the Tasmanian bushfires.

Minister for Emergency Services, Reece Whitby said the bushfire started on 1 February, while Perth was under a COVID-19 lockdown, and spread rapidly towards the west through northern parts of the Perth Hills.

“The fire impacted communities in the City of Swan and the Shire of Mundaring, burning through more than 10,000 hectares,” Mr Whitby said.

“The independent inquiry will analyse information gathered during the first stage of the review of the Wooroloo Bushfire,” he said.

“It will examine a range of areas including the bushfire response, fuel management and mitigation activities and communications.”

The Minister said while much significant work had been done to reduce the risk and impact of bushfires, “we can’t stop them all”.

“The inquiry will examine the circumstances surrounding the Wooroloo Bushfire and the response to it,” he said.

“In any major emergency, there are lessons to be learned.

“The State Government is committed to learning as much as possible about the Wooroloo Bushfire to see if any improvements can be made in the future.”

Public submissions to the inquiry will be invited from 20 August and close on 24 September, with details on the submission process to be made available soon.

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