êêêêêêêêêêêêêêêêêêêêêê

Resident Greg Truscott said it is getting quite dangerous and fears for his home if a fire was to begin.

Mr Truscott said a controlled burn would be ideal in reducing the fuel load, however some of the land is classified as bushland forever and can’t be burnt.

Hakea Prison manages male prisoners who have been remanded in custody while waiting to appear in court or those who have just been sentenced

The prison is in Canning Vale on Nicholson and Warton Road and is surrounded by bushland.

Mr Truscott, who has lived in his home on Jasper Corner for almost 10 years, said he would be happy with a controlled burn.

He said other residents were also concerted about the build up of fuel.

“There is quite a large mount – higher than the roof top of a house – and bushes have grown over it,” he said.

“When they increased the width of the firebreak, the additional bushland pushed into shrub but wasn’t removed, it is now additional fuel for fire.”

The Department of Corrective Services said the rules and regulations made it difficult to do controlled burns.

“The existing firebreaks at Hakea Prison comply with all relevant regulations and are inspected annually by DFES,” he said.

“The vegetation surrounding Hakea Prison is protected and classified as “Bush Forever”, which limits the ability to clear further vegetation.”

Member for Southern River Peter Abetz also agreed with Mr Truscott’s comments that some of the fuel would need to be removed.

There is also an endangered rare flora called caladenia huegelii that grows around there.

Mr Abetz said he would write to the Minister for Corrective Services Joe Francis about eliminating some of the fuel before next summer.