Shadow environment minister calls for release of Perup burn review findings after numbat habitat decimated

Shadow environment minister Tjorn Sibma is calling for the public release of a review into a South West prescribed burn that nearby residents and scientists believe has devastated the local endangered numbat population. An internal review has begun into the March 25 burn-off, in which the Department of Biosecurity, Conservation and Attractions scorched almost 1900ha of land in Perup, east of Manjimup — one of only two habitats for wild numbats in the State. The DBCA said the burn was intended to minimise the likelihood of a severe summer bushfire, but admitted some areas experienced “higher levels of fire intensity than anticipated”. The aftermath of the burn has left scientists and residents calling for an independent review into the State’s prescribed burning practices. Mr Sibma said he was glad Environment Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson had committed to visit the fire-damaged area to get a “first-hand look at the burnt area” and speak with locals who believed the burn had wiped out the entire numbat population. “But given the significance of this habitat to the endangered numbat species, and the fact that the DBCA has admitted the fire was of a higher intensity than planned, it’s critical the minister releases an unredacted copy of the review,” he said. Mr Sibma said the review had implications for public confidence in the DBCA and the agencies involved in environmental efforts to support and boost WA’s numbat population. “Unless we all have access to the full, unsanitised review of the Perup prescribed burn, the Government risks a situation where the public has little confidence in the DBCA’s ability to manage the State’s unique biodiversity,” he said. Ms Sanderson said last week prescribed burning was an “important tool” to protect the community from the impact of large bushfires. “Bushfires in areas where fuel loads have not been reduced can have a devastating impact on local fauna, including our numbat population,” she said. “The DBCA has extensive biological expertise in order to conserve and protect WA’s flora and fauna. “DBCA staff paid special attention to protecting known num-bat dens prior to the prescribed burn.” Ms Sanderson said healthy numbats had been observed before, during and after the prescribed burn in locations known to contain dens. “DBCA officers are continuing to investigate the impacts of the fire on wildlife, including the local numbat population, and the department is thoroughly reviewing this particular burn,” she said. “I have asked the department to ensure I am briefed on the review into this fire and updated on the impact on the numbat population in the area. “There are lessons to be learnt from implementing all our fire mitigation strategies and where problems are identified, I will ask the department to implement improvements.”