Fire Mitigation
Each year, as you maintain your property to reduce fire risk from December to April in accordance with the annual Firebreak and Fuel Management Notice, the Shire of Denmark also conducts bushfire mitigation works on high-bushfire risk Shire-managed reserves throughout the district. The Shire is committed to balancing bushfire mitigation and environmental sensitivities.
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Annual Bushfire Mitigation Program
Every reserve has a comprehensive assessment including a DFES bushfire risk assessment, and an environmental and cultural significance assessment.
Mitigation works are then approved and funded through the State Government’s Mitigation Activities Fund (MAF).
We engage with local contractors, fire brigades, and environmental groups to complete works which reduce bushfire severity and maintain safe access for fire fighting vehicles. Methods may include:
- Mulching
- Ploughing
- Hand Weeding
- Prescribed Burning
- Pruning
- Cultural Burning
- Drainage Construction
- Slashing
- Access Road Construction
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2026-2028 Mitigation Activity Fund Locations
Our Bushfire Mitigation Activity Fund (MAF) is a three year works program, operating from 2026 - 2028, with funding awarded from the State Government Emergency Services Levy program, and overseen by both DFES and the Shire of Denmark.
The MAF program is planned in conjunction with our Bushfire Risk Management Plan (BRMP).
Our Shire is recognised for its natural beauty and significant environmental values, but we are also significantly vulnerable to bushfires, with approximately 70% of the Shire of Denmark vegetated, including forest and heathland areas, which are largely inaccessible and difficult for bushfire suppression. We are committed to protecting this vegetation as well as protecting the community.
All works in the MAF program are a result of detailed consultation and communication with all major land and asset managers within the Shire, as well as the local community, in connection with the Bushfire Risk Management Plan. The Shire’s program aims to ensure an informed and collaborative approach to managing bushfire risks, and ongoing environmental sustainability of mitigation treatments.
While MAF works have been planned over the three year program, the Shire fully retains the opportunity to change, adjust and remove works at any time as the works are dependent on estimates of vegetation and risk conditions which are not fixed. Over the three years our Bushfire Risk Management Coordinator will be constantly updating the program and works. If you have any queries or questions please check here first to see what has been included for your local area. If you still have questions, please contact our Bushfire Risk Management Coordinator.
The MAF program is designed to prioritise emergency access and mitigate large-scale risks, and is performed on Shire land which is held to the highest standards of enviromental protection and regulations including the Bushfire Act. MAF works do not affect personal mitigation responsibility of all residents. Personal mitigation – by following the requirements and conditions of the Shire’s annual Firebreak and Property Management Notice - is still the best way to protect your own property.
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More Information
Please note that other agencies including DBCA will also conduct mitigation activities over this period on other reserves.
These works are funded by several sources including:
- Mitigation Activities Fund
- The Department of Fire and Emergency Services UCL/UMR program
- Shire' of Denmark Strategic Fire Management Budget
Works in these programs are driven by the:
- Bushfire Risk Management Plan
- Bushfire Resilience in the Great Southern Program
- State Planning Policy for Building in Bushfire Prone Areas
- The Shire of Denmark Planning Policy and Subdivision Guide Plans
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Contact
Our Shire of Denmark Bushfire Risk Mitigation Coordinator can be reached on info@denmark.wa.gov.au or (08) 9848 0300.
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