- McGowan Labor Government continuing open dialogue on bushfire mitigation
- Forum will expand on inaugural Bushfire Mitigation Summit held in June 2017
- Greater representation of attendees including volunteer groups
Following the success of last year's inaugural Bushfire Mitigation Summit, the McGowan Labor Government will hold an expanded Bushfire Mitigation Forum in early October.
The forum will be held at the Kalamunda Performing Arts Complex on October 4, and include up to 100 participants with greater representation from volunteer brigades and groups.
This year's forum is an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss, in an open and collegiate environment, how better bushfire management can be deployed throughout Western Australia.
It will be an opportunity for representatives from across the bushfire management sector to lead change and co-ordinate efforts at improving community safety.
The day will be divided into consultative workshops which will include key sector issues, volunteer perspectives and the design and function of the $18 million Bushfire Centre of Excellence.
Attendees will be invited from a wide range of bushfire brigades, volunteer associations, government agencies and regional advocacy groups.
As stated by Emergency Services Minister Francis Logan:
"This forum follows this Government's recent announcement of a record $7.3 million in bushfire management funding.
"We are entering a new era of bushfire management and through more funding assistance for local governments and agencies, and greater collaboration with volunteers, we can help make our communities safer.
"The inaugural Bushfire Mitigation Summit was the first time that many of the key stakeholders in bushfire management in our State were even in the same room to discuss these matters.
"We need to continue having these open dialogues, and I am pleased that we have been able to expand this year's forum to include volunteers from bushfire brigades spread throughout the State.
"It's about listening to all the voices and working to find that common ground, which is about making communities safer and dealing with our State's virtually ever-present threat of bushfires."
