The Cook Government has allocated more than $3.3 million in grants to 28 local governments across Western Australia to carry out critical bushfire mitigation activities. This funding, provided through the Mitigation Activity Fund (MAF), is a direct investment in the safety and resilience of regional communities, addressing one of the most significant risks faced by rural landholders and agritourism operators.

Targeted Funding for High-Risk Areas

The program will fund close to 550 specific mitigation treatments, including the reduction of fuel loads, creation of firebreaks, and improvement of access routes for firefighting services. The investment is strategically targeted at high-risk regions that are also key hubs for agritourism, including the Perth Hills, Wheatbelt, Great Southern, and the South West. Local governments in shires such as Busselton, Chittering, Donnybrook-Balingup, Manjimup, and Northam are among the recipients, ensuring that mitigation work will be undertaken in areas with a high concentration of WAAA members.

For farm-based tourism businesses, these on-the-ground activities provide an essential layer of protection for property, livestock, and infrastructure, as well as for the safety of staff and visitors. The list of funded projects provides a clear indication of where this strategic work will be focused.

A Continuing Commitment to Community Safety

This latest round of funding brings the total investment through the MAF to over $65 million since 2017, demonstrating a sustained government commitment to proactive bushfire risk management. Emergency Services Minister Paul Papalia acknowledged the escalating threat, stating, “WA is experiencing more extreme bushfire seasons and about 93 per cent of the State is bushfire prone.” He further emphasised the practical benefit of the funded works, noting they “reduce the fuel available to burn, slowing down the spread of bushfires and assisting firefighters to bring them under control early.”

Implications for Operator Responsibilities

While this funding supports mitigation activities on public lands, it also serves as a critical reminder for all agritourism operators of their own responsibilities in preparing for the bushfire season. The work being undertaken by local governments should be seen as complementary to, not a replacement for, an operator’s own on-farm bushfire management plan. This includes maintaining firebreaks, managing fuel loads around key assets like accommodation and sheds, ensuring clear access for emergency vehicles, and having a well-communicated emergency plan for staff and guests.

Agritourism operators are encouraged to engage with their local government to understand the specific mitigation treatments planned for their area and to ensure their on-farm preparations are aligned with the broader community safety effort.

Words by:

Andy Burns

Andy Burns is a driving force in the Western Australian tourism industry, currently serving as Vice-President of the WAAA. He’s the Founder of Scott Aussie Tourism Marketing, a South West WA-based agency specialising in helping tourism businesses thrive in the digital age. Scott Aussie offers a full range of marketing services, from strategic planning and branding to content creation, social media management, and AI-powered solutions. Andy’s deep understanding of the tourism landscape, combined with his expertise in destination marketing and community engagement, makes him a sought-after advisor, speaker, and trainer. He’s a regular presenter at industry conferences and workshops, sharing his insights on topics ranging from digital marketing strategy to the future of tourism. Andy is also a member of the Manjimup Tourist Bureau and a Councillor at the Shire of Manjimup. His previous leadership roles include six years on the board of Tourism Rockingham and five years as Chair of a Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attraction (DBCA) advisory committee.