The new WA Office of Bushfire Risk Management (OBRM) is now operating to independently assess the risks of prescribed burns undertaken by the Department of Environment and Conservation, following the release of the Keelty report into the Margaret River bushfires.

 

Emergency Services Minister Troy Buswell said the new office reported directly to Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) CEO Wayne Gregson.

 

“Once fully-established, the OBRM will assess the risks of all prescribed burns, as well as the level of resources available should such burns flare out of control,” Mr Buswell said.

 

“This office reports directly to the FESA CEO to ensure the prescribed burning process is independently scrutinised before ignition of the burn, and has the authority to direct a burn to be delayed or even cancelled if it deems the risks to be too great.”

 

The Minister said prescribed burning had an important role to play in protecting local communities and important economic, social, ecological and heritage assets from bushfire, but had to be carefully managed.

 

“The Government is committed to achieving the benefits of prescribed burning while ensuring it is conducted in such a way that the associated risk is understood and is as low as is reasonably practicable,” he said.

 

“Once fully-established, the OBRM will ensure that the future approach to bushfire risk mitigation programs and decision making is consistent with international risk management practice.

 

“In line with the Keelty recommendations, it will also facilitate greater information sharing and co-ordination between agencies involved in prescribed burning and management of bushfire-related risk generally.”

 

The interim director of the OBRM is Mark Webb, who will return to his role as CEO of the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority once a permanent appointment is made in the coming months.

 

Appreciating the Risk - The Report of the Special Inquiry Into the November 2011 Margaret River Bushfire is available here.