Introducing the first Firewise Gardening guide for Western Australians

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services Bushfire Centre of Excellence is pleased to announce the release of the first Firewise Gardening in Western Australia guide.

Launched on Wednesday 5 June 2024 by the Minister for Emergency Services, the Hon Stephen Dawson MLC, the guide provides useful advice to design and maintain gardens that reduce the risk of property loss in a bushfire.

Chief Superintendent John Tillman emphasised the guide’s role in empowering those living in bushfire-prone areas of Western Australia.

“Whether you’re planning a new garden or enhancing an existing one, the Firewise Gardening in Western Australia guide has plenty of valuable information to help boost your bushfire preparedness efforts,” he said.

In addition to homeowners, the guide serves as a great resource for local governments, landscape designers, plant nurseries and natural resource groups.

“At the Bushfire Centre of Excellence, our gardens showcase best practice firewise principles, demonstrating how features such as water, paths, grass, and non-flammable mulch can separate buildings from vegetation and minimise bushfire risk.”

The development of the Firewise Gardening in Western Australia guide was a collaborative effort involving landscape architects from Josh Byrne & Associates and experts from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, CSIRO, Fire Protection Association Australia, and the Shires of Mundaring and Serpentine Jarrahdale.”

The Firewise Gardening in Western Australia guide is available for free on the DFES website, making it accessible to all Western Australians keen to become more firewise.

For more information, contact the Bushfire Centre of Excellence at bushfirecoe@dfes.wa.gov.au

Read the full media statement.