• 24 local governments receive grants in latest round of Mitigation Activity Fund
• Shires of Denmark, Donnybrook-Balingup, Nannup and Plantagenet to receive more than $600,000

The Cook Government has announced a $4.45 million program to support 24 local governments reduce bushfire risk near their local communities.

The funding would help local governments create new firebreaks and carry out planned burns when conditions are suitable. 

The 24 local governments, located from Albany to Dandaragan, will share in the $4.45 million allocated through the second round of the 2023-24 Mitigation Activity Fund (MAF).

The latest round of funding will pay for over 600 mitigation activities in the Great Southern, South West, Goldfields-Esperance, Mid West-Gascoyne, Wheatbelt and metropolitan regions.

Warren-Blackwood Local Governments will receive over $600,000 in funding:

• $315,180 for the Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup
• $241,790 for the Shire of Nannup
• $35,000 for the Shire of Denmark
• $28,000 for the Shire of Plantagenet

First introduced in 2017, the MAF supports local governments to manage high-risk areas of the State. It is available to those with an endorsed Bushfire Risk Management Plan.

Well-managed mitigation activities reduce bushfire risks without adversely affecting the environment, wildlife and ecosystems. These activities include building fire breaks, reducing fuel loads and carrying out hazard reduction burns.

In addition to mitigation activities the Cook Government is investing more than $140 million into providing new equipment, resources, personal protective clothing and facilities to support our frontline fire and emergency services.

Local governments and residents can visit https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/about-us/rural-fire-division for more information.

Comments attributed to Warren-Blackwood MLA Jane Kelsbie:

"Since the MAF was established, over $52 million has been allocated to 70 local governments – that’s a huge investment towards helping reduce the risk of bushfires across our vast State.

“We know that to keep communities safe, especially high-risk towns like ours surrounded by beautiful bushland, everyone needs to work together on a range of mitigation activities to protect property but also preserve our natural environments.

“Preparation gives us the best chance of survival – we all have a role to play when it comes to staying safe this bushfire season.”

Media Contact: Elena Pratt, 9848 3171