Fear over fires near train tracks

Recent bushfires have sparked major concern from City of Greater Geraldton councillors and farmers who have urged companies using the Mid West rail network to take responsibility for potential fire threats during bushfire season. Deputy Mayor Tarleah Thomas and Cr Jennifer Critch, who are also farmers, have appealed to rail companies to contain the natural fuel loads around tracks and stop trains from operating during catastrophic weather conditions, saying they risked exacerbating an emergency. But the Department of Fire and Emergency Services was puzzled by the claims, saying mitigation of fires in the area in question was the responsibility of local government. Ms Thomas, who farms near Mullewa, said some recent fires in the town were ignited from the friction of trains on tracks and there needed to be more accountability for bushfire mitigation. “There are companies who are not doing enough to mitigate the risk of bushfires in the region — in fact they are only increasing the risk of an emergency,” she said. “The fuel load near the railway is what we call ‘fire fuel’, and all it takes is one spark from the train lines. “Many of these companies don’t have necessary resources or contingency plans in place if a fire does occur, and it’s not good enough. “We are all doing what we can to protect our properties and our communities. It’s time the companies working in this region did the same.” Cr Critch, who also farms in Mullewa, said trains shouldn’t be allowed to operate during harvest bans. “When we experience extremely hot, dry and windy days with a dangerous and catastrophic fire warning, it is just an emergency waiting to happen,” she said. A DFES spokesperson said it was the City of Greater Geraldton’s responsibility to mitigate bushfire risks in this area, under the State Fire Hazard Plan. “The DFES Midwest Gascoyne office is only aware of one fire on December 4 that was caused by a train,” the spokesperson said. “The fire started in the rail land reserve, which is managed by local government, travelled across a road, and then burnt on private farm land. “This fire was managed by local government and the City of Geraldton has not raised any concerns with DFES regional office about this issue.” The City of Greater Geraldton is finalising its bushfire risk management plan with financial support from the State Government. Under the State Fire Hazard Plan, local governments are responsible for developing mitigation strategies with both public and private stakeholders incorporated into the plan, including the manager of the rail freight network across the Mid West, Arc Infrastructure. Arc Infrastructure Mid West regional lead Garry Bird said as part of its bushfire plan, Arc conducted annual fire break inspections and upgrades to access tracks. “It is important to note in the context of the Mid West, that there are areas classified as Environmentally Sensitives Areas which does impact our treatment options,” he said. “Arc Infrastructure works with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions to manage these specific areas.” He said Arc’s corridor weed spraying and the fire break program for this season was completed in the last month, which included the Mullewa to Perenjori line at Williams Road to Mullewa. The remaining slashing program on the Narngulu to Mullewa line was also completed by mid-December 2020.