A Jarrahdale homeowner's journey to bushfire safety and beauty

For homeowners in bushfire-prone areas, the concept of firewise gardening is more than just landscaping – it's a crucial component for protecting their property and reducing the risk of loss and damage during bushfires. The Bushfire Centre of Excellence recently chatted with Jarrahdale homeowner Gary about his firewise garden.

Before purchasing his one-acre property, Gary was aware that Jarrahdale, about 60km south-east of Perth CBD, is located within a bushfire-prone area and Gary knew he had to take that into consideration when planning the layout of his house home and garden design. The vacant block had nothing on it but a large group of gum trees at time of purchase.

"One of the key factors when purchasing this property was the ability to landscape with a firewise approach. That includes planting away from the house, ensuring vegetation is not too close to the main building and choosing the right plants - all while not compromising on design," homeowner Gary said.

Firewise gardening became the cornerstone of the garden's design and layout, offering the best possible chance of property protection in the event of a bushfire. It influenced plant selection and layout, while prioritising sustainability.

Arid garden - inspired by Karnup Nursery

The inspiration behind the design was multifaceted, with the aim of achieving a delicate balance between functionality, sustainability and natural beauty. Gary sought to create a garden that was not only firewise but also low maintenance and waterwise, appealing to native wildlife and aesthetically pleasing.

Practicality didn't come at the expense of creativity. Gary integrated different textures of wood, steel, stone and water to create a harmonious garden that serves multiple functions.

“The creative ideas were in my head, and I usually tend to work with what I can source at the time, making use of recycled and upcycled materials” he said.

The entire garden seamlessly embodies the principles of the firewise gardening with a design to reduce bushfire risk through specific plant selection and a balanced sustainability approach.

Gary is really proud of the end product and a favourite aspect is the pond garden. "The sound of the running water down the beam is tranquil and relaxing" he said.  

This carefully crafted oasis serves as a vital resource for the native and honeybees to quench their thirst. Birds including blue wrens and parrots love to sit on the beam for a drink and a bath. The pond garden also attracts lizards, bandicoots and frogs.

"It has become such an amazing environment for wildlife to make their own little sanctuary that didn’t exist here before – all that was here was a cluster of gum trees" Gary said.

Pond garden

This garden proves that firewise landscaping can be much more than just a safety measure - it can be a beautiful and enriching experience where functionality meets enjoyment, allowing homeowners to rest and recharge.

A three-part video series filmed on this property will be released soon, bringing key aspects of the Firewise guide to life and showcasing this exemplary firewise property.

To learn more about how to create a firewise garden, the Firewise Gardening in Western Australia guide is available to download for free on the DFES website, making it accessible to all Western Australians keen to become more Firewise.

For a hard copy of the Firewise guide or further information, email bushfirecoe@dfes.wa.gov.au