Tougher penalties for owners
FIREFIGHTERS have demanded tougher penalties for homeowners who don't prepare their properties.
FIREFIGHTERS who battled the Margaret River bushfires have demanded tougher penalties for homeowners who don't prepare their properties, saying there is a "general apathy'' towards fire danger in the region.
The concerns are detailed in reports compiled by local brigades and volunteer firefighters in the wake of the November fires, which razed more than 40 properties.
The reports said firefighters identified properties with overhanging branches in firebreaks, mulch and woodchips being stored close to buildings, including under verandas, and pine fences between dwellings that acted like fuses during the wildfire.
They also found firewood and other flammable materials stacked close to houses.
In some cases, firebreaks had been rendered useless because teenagers were using them for BMX tracks.
The reports recommend the Augusta-Margaret River Shire appoint a compliance officer to check that developers and property owners adhered to building codes and fire-ready policies, as well as heftier penalties.
The analysis suggested homes should have independent water supplies, linked with pump-drawn sprinklers and the shire should ban woodchips in favour of limestone rubble for groundcovers.
Augusta-Margaret River chief bushfire control officer Rob Bootsma said yesterday homeowners needed to understand the importance of taking their own steps to protect their properties. Many people did not realise that if firefighters were not at a structure fire within seven or eight minutes ``you may as well kiss it goodbye, you can't save it''.
"We have to get tougher about mitigation. Whether we legislate it or whatever we do, we have got to set really serious about people self-mitigating,'' he said.
"Self-mitigation is the best alternative. That means clearing vegetation near houses, reticulation systems on top of the roof, around the building there are various steps that can be taken.''