The state government has come under fire from the Nationals WA after it was revealed there was $2.1 million less available this year for the Royalties for Regions Enhanced Prescribed Burning Program.
The program was funded under the previous state government which allocated $20 million across four years starting in 2015-16.
The program runs out on June 30 and the state government is yet to recommit further funding, until it is considered in the next state budget.
Warren-Blackwood MLA Terry Redman said if the program was cut, South West communities could be at a higher risk of bushfires.
Mr Redman said the reduced funding has led to just over 95,000 hectares of forest being burnt in the nine months since July 1, 2018 - setting up the worst annual result for prescribed burning in WA since 2013/14.
He said the funding cut had clearly impacted the number of hectares burnt this year, and that fuel loads would be dangerously high coming into next summer.
"Ripping more than $2 million out of an essential program that reduces the risk of extreme bushfires to regional communities is an appalling outcome," he said.
"Once again, community safety in the regions is being compromised to retain every available dollar for Labor's Metronet project."
Environment minister Stephen Dawson said claims there have been cuts to the prescribed burning program in WA were false.
"This $20 million is not the only revenue spent on prescribed burning in this state, it was allocated to enhance the existing prescribed burning program," he said.
"This extra funding has complimented DBCA's existing prescribed burning budget of around $11 million per year for regions in the South West."
The Nationals WA have started a petition calling on the McGowan Government to ensure the Enhanced Prescribed Burning program continues beyond June 2019.
"We need sensible and responsible solutions to mitigate fire risk," he said.
Mr Dawson said the reduced funding in 2018-19 reflected higher than expected expenditure over the last two years, which resulted in prescribed burning achievements in the South West.
"The program has been instrumental in assisting DBCA in exceeding its nominal target of 200,000 hectares in the South West," he said.
Shadow environment minister Steve Thomas said the program needs to be recommitted by the state government, which he expects they would do, but would not commit until the budget was announced.
"If the program does not get refunded there would be a big impact on South West communities and increased risk of bushfires," he said.
"I fully expect the prescribed burning program to be funded, it would be a disaster if the government did not."
Vasse MLA Libby Mettam said the government must give confidence to regional WA and confirm that prescribed burning and community safety remains a priority.
"A cut of $2 million in the this financial year is deeply concerning given the fuel load in the region is at its highest level in 30 years," she said.
"It is essential that this government continues to fund prescribed burning, to limit the risk of future catastrophic bush fires in the Capes region."
This story first appeared on the Busselton-Dunsborough Mail.
