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Federal Member for O’Connor Rick Wilson today announced $268,395 in funding to better prepare local communities from the threat of bushfires in the upcoming summer season.

Mr Wilson said the funding would be allocated to local councils and organisations in O’Connor under the Federal Government’s $15 million National Bushfire Mitigation Programme.

“Sadly, the tragedy that unfolded in the Esperance region last year is a stark reminder of why regional communities must be adequately prepared for the upcoming bushfire season,” he said.

“Bushfires can have a devastating impact on the local economy, as we witnessed when acres of crops and thousands of head of livestock were destroyed in November.

“The long-term impact to the social fabric of the community can be even more damaging, and we must do all we can to ensure our regional towns have the best possible mitigation strategies in place.

“That’s why the Government is supporting a range of projects throughout O’Connor, which will help to reduce fuel loads and refine our response efforts as we enter the bushfire season.”

Bushfire Mitigation Projects for O’Connor include:

Project Recipient Funding Amount Project Title
Shire of Jerramungup $24,227 Reserve 511 and Point Henry Strategic Access Project
Shire of Woodanilling $5,000 Hazard Reduction in the Woodanilling Town Site
Shire of Collie $8,168 Allanson Primary School – Bushfire Risk Management System Mitigation Works
Shire of Collie $9,500 Collie River Valley Tourist Park  – Bushfire Risk Management Mitigation Works
Department of Water $50,000 Wellington Plantings Estate Bushfire Mitigation Project
Parks and Wildlife Esperance $30,000 Unallocated Crown Land bushfire mitigation for community protection – Esperance District
Parks and Wildlife Esperance $25,000 Prescribed burning and preparatory mechanical mitigation works for community protection – Esperance District
Parks and Wildlife Esperance $12,000 Strategic access upgrade for community protection – Esperance District

 
Parks and Wildlife Phillips Reserve $17,000 Phillips River unallocated Crown Land boundary firebreak upgrade
Parks and Wildlife Shire of Pingelly $10,000 Maintenance of fire trails in the Shire of Pingelly
Parks and Wildlife Stirling Range $25,000 Stirling Range National Park strategic boundary firebreak upgrade
Parks and Wildlife Quinninup $37,500 Replacement of bridge 7348 Wallace Road at Six Mile Brook near Quinninup Town Site
Parks and Wildlife Dunn Rock $15,000 Fuel reduced buffers at Dunn Rock

 

“The Australian Government is focused on boosting the resilience of communities so that they are better prepared for future events,” Mr Wilson said.

For further information regarding the projects, please refer to the Western Australia Department of Fire and Emergency Services website at www.dfes.wa.gov.au

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MEET RICK

I was inspired to run for Parliament following my involvement in a decade-long campaign to deregulate the wheat industry, which brought about the end of the Australia Wheat Board’s monopoly.

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“I stand proudly for the Liberal philosophy of free markets, vigorous competition, small government and individual responsibility. These are the principles that guide me in my life and in this place. My track record in public life shows clearly that I am prepared to stand up for those principles.”

“To the electors of O'Connor, I reiterate the commitment that I have made to work tirelessly on your behalf, to always be frank and honest about the challenges we face, and to work cooperatively and collaboratively to improve the lives of the people who live in the greatest part of the greatest nation on earth”

– Rick Wilson MP Maiden Speech.