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Prescribed burning – why State Government policy changes are needed
This campaign is about bringing change to the ways prescribed burning is conducted across the conservation estate of the southwest of WA. We recognise that bushfires pose a significant threat to communities and our natural heritage but are concerned about the adverse effects large-scale, frequent and high severity burns are having on the health, structure, and biodiversity of ecosystems.
Government policy for the three regions (Swan Coastal, South West and Warren):
- The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) has a commitment to burn up to 200,000 hectares per annum, and to maintain 45% of the landscape at a fuel age of 6 years or less.
- These regions contain approximately 2.4 million hectares of native vegetation, of which 75% is forest.
Our goal is for significant change to the way these burns are planned and conducted, particularly in remote wilderness areas and where fire sensitive species, such as Red Tingle (Eucalyptus Jacksonii) and Red Flowering Gum (Corymbia ficifolia) occur.
We have been campaigning for an independent review into current practices to establish better systems to protect our communities from wildfire and to ensure that the conservation estate, which includes National Parks, is managed in ways that our unique biodiversity is passed on to future generations in optimal condition.
Prescribed burning – why State Government policy changes are needed
This campaign is about bringing change to the ways prescribed burning is conducted across the conservation estate of the southwest of WA. We recognise that bushfires pose a significant threat to communities and our natural heritage but are concerned about the adverse effects large-scale, frequent and high severity burns are having on the health, structure, and biodiversity of ecosystems.
Government policy for the three regions (Swan Coastal, South West and Warren):
- The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) has a commitment to burn up to 200,000 hectares per annum, and to maintain 45% of the landscape at a fuel age of 6 years or less.
- These regions contain approximately 2.4 million hectares of native vegetation, of which 75% is forest.
Our goal is for significant change to the way these burns are planned and conducted, particularly in remote wilderness areas and where fire sensitive species, such as Red Tingle (Eucalyptus Jacksonii) and Red Flowering Gum (Corymbia ficifolia) occur.
We have been campaigning for an independent review into current practices to establish better systems to protect our communities from wildfire and to ensure that the conservation estate, which includes National Parks, is managed in ways that our unique biodiversity is passed on to future generations in optimal condition.
FaBWA YouTube Channel
Biodiversity decline is a global problem that affects us all. The southwest of Western Australia is a biodiversity hotspot that includes extensive wilderness areas, many designated as National Parks due to their unique flora, fauna and landscapes. Conservation management is paramount, yet the State Government of Western Australia continues to inflict inappropriate fire regimes through its management practices on this ancient and fragile landscape.
This channel is about documenting these large prescribed burns on this unique region, and the effects that their severity and frequency are having on its various ecosystems. These include the tall forests of karri and tingle, jarrah and marri forests, banksia woodlands and a large variety of heathlands and wetlands, including peatlands that are thousands of years old.
FaBWA YouTube Channel
Biodiversity decline is a global problem that affects us all. The southwest of Western Australia is a biodiversity hotspot that includes extensive wilderness areas, many designated as National Parks due to their unique flora, fauna and landscapes. Conservation management is paramount, yet the State Government of Western Australia continues to inflict inappropriate fire regimes through its management practices on this ancient and fragile landscape.
This channel is about documenting these large prescribed burns on this unique region, and the effects that their severity and frequency are having on its various ecosystems. These include the tall forests of karri and tingle, jarrah and marri forests, banksia woodlands and a large variety of heathlands and wetlands, including peatlands that are thousands of years old.
Icons to Ashes
Icons to Ashes is a landmark report that highlights the catastrophic impact of current prescribed burning on Tingle and Ficifolia trees (red-flowering gums), peatlands and mainland Quokkas.
The report presents findings from a series of ecological field trips by local conservationists and scientists to the Walpole Wilderness Area.
It calls for an urgent re-think of burning practices, highlighting that regular burning is not only having massive impacts on forests and wildlife, but has also been scientifically shown to be increasing the risk of wildfire.
Current prescribed burning is literally turning the iconic Tingle trees and Ficifolias into ashes.
Prescribed Burning Resources
Prescribed Burning – Where do the Birds Go?
Cath Spaggiari and Bart Lebbing.
Denmark Bird Talks 7, 15th July 2023. View Presentation.
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Burning core wilderness
Cath Spaggiari, with contributions from FaBWA participants.
April 2023. View Presentation.
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Prescribed Burning – Why change is needed
Cath Spaggiari and Bart Lebbing.
Great Southern Science Symposium, 25th October 2023. View Presentation.
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‘Icons to Ashes’ launch
Cath Spaggiari.
7th June 2023. View Presentation.
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Southern Noongar Kaarl
Rodrigues et al.
4th May 2022. View Presentation.
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Prescribed Burns in Dry Times – Fire Forum
J Young
Feb 2020. View Presentation.
FaBWA – Submission regarding the Draft FMP 2024-2033
With specific reference to Foundation 3 and Fire management across the FMP area.
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Statement to the Standing Committee on Environment and Public Affairs
Petition no. 029 – Request for an indepent review of the Department of Biodversity, Conservation and Attractions prescribed burning practices August 2022.
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Standing Committee on Environment and Public Affairs
Petition no. 029 – Request for an indepent review of the Department of Biodversity, Conservation and Attractions prescribed burning practices June 2023.
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Giants Prescribed Burn FRK_111
Tree fall assessment (February, 2025)
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Prescribed Burning Fact Sheets
South West Forests Defence Foundation (August 2024)
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Assessment of Fuel Age Distribution by Landscape Management Units
within the Forest Management Plan Area
Report prepared by Dr Joanna Young, Dr Jonathan Schultz and Melissa Howe (April, 2024)
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Analysing the Wildlife Toll of Prescribed Burning Practices in Southwest WA
Impacts of prescribed burning on fauna and their habitats (August, 2022)
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Icons to Ashes
(April 2023)
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Fire and Biodiversity WA
Landcare Stories
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New report calls for urgent investigation into environmental impacts of WA prescribed burning
(August, 2022)
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Smoke and Fire (Part 2)
Analysing prescribed burning and wildfire management in South West WA (2020)
Smoke and Fire (Part 1)
Analysing prescribed burning and wildfire management in South West WA (2020)
Does high fire frequency compromise structural integrity of a large eucalypt?
Forest Ecology and Manageme. 2025, Anderson et al.
Mechanisms by which growth and succession limit the impact of fire in a south‐western
Functional Ecology. 2023, Zylstra
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Wildfire risk management across diverse bioregions in a changing climate
Geomatics, Natural Hazards and Risk. 2022, Campbell et al
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Linking fire behaviour and its ecological effects to plant traits using FRaME in R
Methods in Ecology and Evolution. 2021, Zylstra
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Indigenous Knowledge, Aspiration, and Potential Application
in Contemporary Fire Mitigation in Southwest Australia
Human Ecology . September 2022, Rodrigues et al
2025 30 12 Noongar elders say WA prescribed burn went ahead despite warnings of cultural heritage sites
Noongar elders say WA prescribed burn went ahead despite warnings of cultural heritage sites – ABC News
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2025 23 12 Plans to burn red tingle trees temporarily suspended following treetop protest
Plans to burn red tingle trees temporarily suspended following treetop protest – ABC News
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2025 24 11 Environmental experts challenge prescribed burn assessment in endangered bird habitat
Environmental experts challenge prescribed burn assessment in endangered bird habitat – ABC News
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2025 16 07 DBCA documents reveal damage to rare forest after hundreds of trees felled by controlled burn
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2025 16 01 WA government steadfast on prescribed burns despite mass tingle tree felling
WA government steadfast on prescribed burns despite mass tingle tree felling – ABC News
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2025 13 01 WA Today: War of words erupts over WA’s prescribed burning program
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2025 13 01 Giants block with Uralla, Phill Z and Bart
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2024 03 12 Black summer biodiversity study suggests rethink of prescribed burns and fire management in Australia
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2023 03 12 Conservationists, scientists demand answers over prescribed burning of important swamps
Conservationists, scientists demand answers over prescribed burning of important swamps – ABC News
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2023 14 06 7.30 report
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-14/the-controversial-preventative-burning-regime-–-is/102480986
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2023 14 06 Written report:
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2022 12 12 Prescribed burn escapes, Wildfire fears
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2022 20 08 WA’s prescribed burns threaten biodiversity amid climate change, scientists warn
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2022 Citizens scientists concern about burns
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV_9rix9ph0
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2021 13 05 WA Environment Minister to visit scene of DBCA’s Perup burn
Minister to visit Scene of DBCA’s Perup burn-off amid fears for numbats
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2021 02 05 Prescribed burn devastates endangered numbats habitats
Prescribed burn devastates one of WA’s last two endangered numbat habitats
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2021 19 02 Landline
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAJqBNhqRB0
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2021 19 02 Are we burning in ignorance – Fiona Pepper
WA’s prescribed burning plan is putting rare South West ecosystems at risk
Kooryunderup / Mt Hallowell 2024 – 2025 Progress
Kooryunderup / Mt Hallowell
2024 – 2025 Progress
2024 – 2025 Progress
- June 2024: Following earlier community feedback on trail proposals at Mount Hallowell, the Turner Road site was advanced as part of the Shire’s broader recreational planning, with public consultation undertaken on the draft concept plan prior to Council consideration.
- June 2024: The Shire of Denmark released the Turner Road Mountain Bike Trails Concept Plan, prepared to guide the potential development of a mountain bike trail network on a previously disturbed gravel extraction site at Turner Road. The site was prioritised due to
its degraded condition and identified as an alternative location to help direct higher impact recreation away from more ecologically sensitive areas such as Kooryunderup / Mount Hallowell. - October 2024: The Shire of Denmark commenced a review of the Mount Hallowell Management Plan, engaging environmental consultants Aurora Environmental to prepare the updated Kooryunderup / Mount Hallowell Management Plan 2025–2035.
- June – July 2025: Community consultation on the draft management plan was undertaken, including stakeholder interviews, a community survey and a public submission period. Feedback reflected strong community support for conservation-led management. However, there were areas of disagreement regarding recreational access.
- September 2025: Council endorsed the Kooryunderup / Mount Hallowell Management Plan 2025–2035. While the plan confirms conservation as the primary purpose of the reserve, ongoing community concern has been raised about provisions allowing cycling and dog access within parts of the reserve, including areas of high conservation value
within the central, least-disturbed parts of the reserve. Submissions highlighted potential impacts on biodiversity, cultural values and the quiet, undeveloped character of Kooryunderup / Mount Hallowell, underscoring the importance of careful implementation, monitoring and continued community dialogue. - October 2025: the second Kooryunderup / Mount Hallowell BioBlitz was delivered by DEC to collect data on flora and fauna. This included a public keynote with WA Museum Senior Research Associate, Ron Johnstone, presenting on the critical importance of black cockatoo breeding habitat and feeding sources.
Kooryunderup / Mt Hallowell 2023 Progress
Kooryunderup / Mt Hallowell
2023 Progress
2023 Progress
- DEC has a representative on the new Trails Working Group
- DEC is to be involved in the first stage of the planning for the alternative Glen Rowan-Turner Rd Mountain Bike Trails site
- The update of the Denmark Shire Mt Hallowell Plan is underway
- South Coast Bush Care Service is working with the Shire to address the unsanctioned bike trails, closing off dangerous ones and doing remediation work on others
- The independent Friends of Hallowell group has formed to monitor all aspects of Mt Hallowell including the bike trail situation.
- It has been observed that new trails have appeared in the unsanctioned area and will need to be regularly monitored and addressed by the Shire.
- The DEC Committee believes that the funds and energy required to develop the trails network at Mount Hallowell could be better spent on developing a Mountain Bike trail network at the proposed Turner Rd site.
- The State Government has recently committed funds to research the Glen Rowan-Turner Road option
- A Bioblitz citizen science event is to be held on Mt Hallowell in November to gather flora and fauna information
- The DEC would like to collaborate with the Shire of Denmark in a proactive approach by engaging local youth and community in educational workshops including the impact of trail building in A Class reserves.
DEC remains opposed to any new trails, not only in the core area, but overall anywhere in the A Class reserve.
Help us keep up the
Good work
We aim to inspire, educate and connect people in the community to protect, preserve and enhance the natural environment through education, research and advocacy.
As a not-for-profit organisation, the Centre relies on membership, donations and volunteers to continue our valuable work.
Past Campaigns
Bird Sanctuary
The Prawn Rock Channel is a feeding site for migratory shorebird’s. The Denmark Bird Group has worked to create a Sanctuary Zone to protect the birds habitat.
Save Lake Jasper
Lake Jasper has been threatened by mineral sand mining in the D’entrecasteaux National Park. For over 25 years Geoff Evans and Andy Russell spearhead the campaign to protect the site from mining. On World Wetlands day, the 2nd of February 2021, the excised land was returned back to D’Entrecasteaux National Park.
Greens Pool No Fishing Zone
Greens Pool is a popular snorkelling and swimming spot in Denmark. In 2018, after years of campaigning the area was
declared a ‘No Fishing Zone’!
Mining West of Denmark
In May 2021 United Funds Pty. Ltd. applied for a licence to explore for mineral sands from the southern side of the South Coast Highway between Parker Road in the west and McLeod Road in the east, and Scotsdale Rd in the north in the Shire of Denmark.
The Denmark Environment Centre expressed concern about this application and sent letters to the Minister for Mines and the Minister for the Environment. Previously the DEC objected to mining lease applications by BHP, Wolzak and Backshall in the 1980’s which, together with the woodchip application by McLean Sawmills, led to the opening of the Denmark Environment Centre. None of these mining applications were successful then but we can’t afford to be complacent.
Mineral sands mining is a threat to the long-standing community effort to protect our unique environment, including our waterways, and preserve our way of life.
The Denmark Environment Centre led a campaign against the application to mine mineral sands west of Denmark. The campaign had a groundswell of local support. Over 5000 signatures were collected in an online petition. As a result of this campaign, the exploration license application was withdrawn!