Denmark environmentalists call for deferral of prescribed burn authorities say is “critical” for the town

A Denmark environmental group is calling for the postponement of a prescribed burn which the State Government says is “critical” for the protection of the town. The Denmark Environment Centre is concerned that a burn planned for a 2193ha forest block around Quickup Dam could threaten the town’s water supply. “The potential for the toxic effects of ash and soot deposited in the water is extremely concerning,” DEC convenor Geoff Evans said. The group has asked Environment Minister Stephen Dawson to defer the burn until after completion of the new Albany-Denmark water pipeline. Mr Evans questioned whether staff from the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation or the Water Corporation would be available to investigate potential water contamination after the burn. Referencing a 2011 University of Melbourne study on the impact of bushfires on water quality, he urged the State Government to defer all prescribed burns in water catchments pending a review of the potential health impacts. But a Parks and Wildlife Service spokeswoman said the prescribed burn around Quickup Dam was “critical for the protection of the Denmark community”. “Staff at the Parks and Wildlife Service consider a range of community and environmental values, including water quality, and prescribed burn plans include strategies to manage these values,” the spokeswoman said. “Prescribed burning is undertaken in consultation with the Water Corporation and the DWER, and any site specific requirements are included in the prescribed fire planning process.” Mr Evans said the State Government should work in collaboration with organisations that “question the status quo”. “What will happen to our town water supply if this proposed burn gets out of control,” he said. “Who will be responsible for the drinking water if the dam is contaminated?” DEC member Bart Lebbing said the group was not against the concept of prescribed burning, but wanted to see practices modified. “This area was only burnt six years ago and we are expecting this to happen in the next few weeks,” Mr Lebbing said. “We want this burn postponed until scientific evidence shows prescribed burning will pose no threat to water quality. “We want research and studies done here that will give us the confidence it won’t cause an impact.”