Published on Thursday, 24 December 2020 at 3:14:41 PM
Picture Caption: Deputy Mayor Tarleah Thomas and Councillor Jennifer Critch at the site of a recent fire.
Recent fires have sparked major concern from Councillors and farmers, and rail-related companies are being urged to take action.
Deputy Mayor Tarleah Thomas and Councillor Jennifer Critch who are also farmers, are asking rail companies to stand up and take responsibility for potential fire threats during bushfire season.
With some recent fires said to have started from trains on the railway network in the Midwest, Councillors are asking companies to contain the fuel around the train lines and stop trains during catastrophic weather conditions.
Deputy Mayor Tarleah Thomas who farms near Mullewa said 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.”
There is over 150km of train line in the city region, and in the rural areas near Mullewa bushfires are attended by local volunteer firefighters.
Councillor Jennifer Critch who also farms in Mullewa, said it wasn’t fair for volunteer brigade members, many who are farmers, to be “on alert” over the holiday season.
“After a massive harvest, while many are relaxing with family, there are bushfire volunteers who have to be ready should a fire arise,” she said
“We believe when conditions warrant a harvest ban – trains should not be operating.
“When we are experience extremely hot, dry and windy days with a dangerous and catastrophic fire warning – it is just an emergency waiting to happen.”
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