A number of residents at the Ocean Farms Estate want all Department of Defence training and bombing exercises at Lancelin to be halted immediately.
This estate is only five kilometres from the Department of Defence Lancelin training area boundary and live in the fear of bushfires every time the military bomb the area, especially on hot summer days.
Lancelin is being promoted as a tourist destination and with the Lancelin to Cervantes road expected to be fully constructed next year, over 5,000 vehicles per week are expected to travel on the road.
This road traverses through the middle of the Lancelin training area and there is an expectation that many 4WDs will venture off this new road to explore the region.
Over 700 rural residential developments at Ocean Farms, Seaview Park and the new Sunset Estate are all within close proximity of the bombing area.
On Wednesday, 11th February this year, a number of residents in Ocean Farms were extremely concerned about the pending live firing that was to occur that day.
A total fire ban had been given by FESA, the Shire of Gingin had issued a total ban on all vehicle movements in paddocks and strong winds prevailed.
Residents fear a bushfire from the military’s live firing activities which was only about five kilometres from their properties.
The Sun City News is aware that some residents contacted the military about their concerns, only to be told to put your objection or complaint in writing, which they did. They are still awaiting a response.
As one resident told the Sun City News: “If a fire was to break out and by the time they attempted to implement their inadequate fire management plan, properties and houses in Ocean Farms would have already been lost with lives endangered.”
At a meeting with some Ocean Farms and Lancelin residents, the Sun City News was told of a number of concerns about the agreement between the Department of Defence and the local community.
One of the major issues is the concern that the military are using the Lancelin area as a testing area and not a training area.
Other concerns include terms the military had agreed on, and have either varied or ignored from their original commitments to the community.
An agreement with the professional fishermen appears to have been abandoned. Live firing was only to occur in the designated northern sector, now it occurs anywhere.
The local residents were told the area would only be used occasionally, but it has escalated. At least 31 bombing days are planned between January and October 2009.
There was an agreement that live firing would not occur during the prohibited burning season, but it appears this part of the agreement has been ignored.
Finally, several of the local residents believe the area has been turned into a testing area.
An increase in noise and vibrations from the various bombing days would appear to confirm different activities are occurring. Some vibrations have been felt as far south as Redfield Park estate in Gabbadah.
n August, 2002, the parliamentary secretary to the Minister for Defence, Fran Bailey, announced the intention of the Department of Defence to assess alternative solutions to the then proposed expansion of the Lancelin Defence Training Area (LDTA).
Ms Bailey said: “Whilst I understand the benefits derived from having a training area of sufficient size within close proximity to Perth, the reality of sustainable environmental management and medium to long term urban and industry pressures, requires defence to have a closer look at possible alternatives.”
The current lease at Lancelin expires in 2020 and many local residents believe it should not be renewed.
The land is leased from the WA State Government.
Over the years there have been many concerns raised about the area.
The endangered Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo frequently inhibits the area. Graziers frequently use the stock route that passes through the area. There are numerous apiary sites in the area.
With the pending Lancelin to Cervantes road expected to be finished in 2010, extra traffic and tourism is expected to at least treble in the region.
In February 2004, One Nation national director and now Shire of Gingin councillor, Frank Hough said: “Gunnery exercises north of Perth should be cancelled to avoid the possibility of bushfires.”
With the current fuel loading in the bombing area bushland, and a strong wind, the fires could easily reach Ocean Farms, Lancelin, within an hour and before any effective fire management plan could be implemented.
The nearest fire brigades are the volunteers at Ocean Farms and Lancelin, at least 45 minutes away, if they can muster the personnel for their vehicles.
Brigades from Dandaragan would take up to two hours reach the area while the Department of Defence contractor based at Pearce is probably two or three hours away. It is easy to see why the local residents fear for their properties and their lives.
It is obvious the Department of Defence knows that if a fire started on their land there would be no chance of averting a disaster in Ocean Farms and other nearby areas and yet they still proceed to conduct live bombing on total fire ban days.
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