Western Australia’s climate means our environment is often subject to bushfires. These bushfires can cause significant damage to people, property and the environment, but in some cases our environment is actually a result of and is adapted to bushfire.
Although there are different views about whether and how bushfires should be managed in WA, for example, whether there should be “controlled burns” to reduce the risk of bushfires to people and property, some regulation of bushfires is currently a part of WA law.
This fact sheet outlines the regulatory regime relating to bushfires in Western Australia. In particular, it describes the government bodies responsible for fire control and response, ‘prohibited’ and ‘restricted’ burning times, occupier’s responsibilities in the case of a fire, and activities which are regulated to prevent the risk of bushfires. It also provides information on the planning and development laws in Western Australia that relate to bush fire prone areas.
