Margaret River rally looks to bushfire alternatives

An event in Margaret River next week will call for new and improved firefighting technology to be funded and adopted by the WA Government.

The Rally for Rapid Bushfire Suppression will be hosted jointly by the WA Forest Alliance and the Margaret River Regional Environment Centre.

WAFA and MRREC Committee member Dr Carole Peters said new early detection and rapid suppression firefighting technology was being rolled out around Australia, but in southwest WA the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions was still relying on frequent broadscale prescribed burning and an “outdated fire management regime based on disproved science”.

“The current burn program is causing widespread and increasingly severe damage to WA’s forest ecosystems as our climate becomes drier and hotter.

“The consequences for our wildlife and our Biodiversity Hotspot are devastating, and prescribed burning is even making some ecosystems more flammable, and more prone to intense bushfires, increasing danger to communities.

“Let the WA government know there are better ways to manage bushfires in our South West forests, alternatives that don’t rely on the destructive and failing prescribed burning program.”

Attendees will enjoy live music from Witchcliffe locals Anu Grace and Laurie Bycroft as Uke Nomad, while a Welcome to Country and Caring for Country talk by Wardandi Elder and custodian Mitchella Hutchins will also take place.

Dr Peters, who was Convenor and organiser of the Fire & Biodiversity Forum held at the Margaret River HEART in June 2021 and the Fire & Air Forum held at the University Club UWA in May last year, will also speak, alongside WAFA senior Campaigner Jason Fowler and forest zoologist, Dr Phil Runham.

After the Memorial Park rally, there will be a fieldtrip to Shambala Nature Retreat in Osmington, to see view an area of forest long-unburned, and to discuss the impacts of the preparations for planned prescribed burns.

The Rally for Rapid Bushfire Suppression will be held on Saturday September 14 at 11am (music starts at 10.30am) at Memorial Park on Willmott Ave, Margaret River.

More details and registration can be found at: bit.ly/MR-fire-rally