After a bushfire there are a range of environmental impacts.  Over time the landscape will recover (and some native plants actually need fire for their seeds to sprout) but some elements may need monitoring or some human help.  

Community Bushfire Prone Landscaping and Environmental Planning Forum

The recovery from the Wooroloo bushfire has shifted its focus towards rebuilding and the future. In July 2021, the City of Swan and Shire of Mundaring facilitated a Community Bushfire Prone Landscaping and Environmental Planning Forum.  

Advice from local community, industry leaders and personalities focused on establishing sustainable properties and firewise gardens, fauna & habitat rehabilitation. 

State government agencies also provided practical advice in relation to understanding and considering Asset Protection Zone Guidelines, Bushfire Risk Treatment Standards, and Property Access and Construction Standards for future planning and understanding local cultural and heritage sites.

This event was jointly funded through the Commonwealth – State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

Recordings of all presentations

Recordings of all presentations at the Wooroloo Gidgegannup Community Bushfire Prone Landscaping and Environmental Planning Forum 2021 are provided below. 

How to Know, Feel and Heal Country: A landscape scale view of the Perth Hills ecosystems, history, biodiversity loss, fire, and ways to ‘Heal Country’ focussing on habitat restoration for wildlife. (Presenter: Simon Cherriman, Ecologist and Science Communicator)

Sustainable Gardening – Integrating Food, Habitat and Climate Responsive Design: How gardening can improve the sustainability and resilience of households and communities through a considered approach to garden design, implementation and management. (Presenter: Josh Byrne, Environmental Scientist and Presenter, ABC Gardening Australia)

Designing and Creating a ‘Firewise’ Property: The seven fundamental principles of a ‘Firewise’ home, garden and broader landscape. Whether you’re looking to rebuild or retrofit this will give powerful insights into how to make you, your family and property safer this fire season. (Presenter: Chris Ferreira, Director of The Forever Project)

Bushfire Property Standards: Understanding Asset Protection Zone Guidelines, Bushfire Risk Treatment Standards, Property Access and Construction Standards and firefighter water requirements for future planning (Presenters: Craig Scott, Director Land Use Planning, DFES and Paul Simpson, Principal Policy Officer, Bushfire Risk Management, DFES) 

Aboriginal Cultural Heritage: Understanding local Aboriginal cultural heritage sites, including the recent rezoning of the Wooroloo Brook (Presenter: Glenn Shaw, Acting Manager Indigenous Land Use Agreements & Aboriginal Heritage, Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage)

Erosion and sediment control 

Ground left bare after fire can be vulnerable to erosion.  Soil and ash washing downhill can cause a lot of issues in dams and watercourses.  There is more information on the impacts of the fire on water sources in the Shire's Health page. The Shire's Erosion and Sediment Control information sheet lists some options to limit erosion and sediment problems. 

Eastern States Wattles

You may see a lot of Eastern States Wattles seedlings come up after the fire.  They are easier to remove while they are young, before they grow into dense ‘thickets’. 

Find out more about weed identification and control.

Tree popper tools are available to borrow from the Wooroloo General Store to assist with the removal of these plants.

Local flora and bushlands 

You may see some unusual plants appearing after the fire. They could be fire-sensitive orchids or other native plants.

Find out more about wildflowers in the Shire of Mundaring.

Nesting boxes

Important habitat for native animals was lost in the fire, including large old habitat trees with hollows. 

Installing nesting boxes is one way to quickly restore homes for hollow-dependent birds and other animals to nest.

Boxes can be professionally made, part of a community program, or DIY – but different species have different needs.

View nest box sizes and instructions

Aboriginal Heritage Sites 

Some areas or places are protected as significant cultural sites under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972. You need written approval for any work or disturbance within the boundary of a registered Aboriginal heritage site. 

Find out about Aboriginal Heritage Sites, including how to search for a site and approvals required for any disturbances to a site.