It’s not all green in the picturesque hillside suburb of Mount Nasura.
Nestled among the trees is the home of residents Andy and Mary O’Neill, who fear for their own and their neighbours’ safety in the event of a bushfire.
“I live 280 metres down a private road off Mader Crescent (and) opposite our property is 45-or-so acres of natural bush which also backs up the Gallier’s Hospital,” Mr O’Neill said.
“The bush is extremely prone to fires due to numerous trail bike riders and unsavoury characters moving through it from time to time.
“The last time it was burnt off by the volunteer fire brigade was about five years ago.
“Since then, the hospital, I assume, have arranged a tractor to clear a bit of a firebreak twice – nothing so far this year.”
Mr O’Neill said he and his neighbours along the private road have three main concerns.
“We will be trapped as there is only one way out, the vehicles parked in the hospital carpark may catch fire and the air conditioning at the hospital (may) suck in the smoke and cause breathing issues for the patients and staff,” he said.
Mr O’Neill pointed to the private road just outside their property.
“That’s our only access,” he said.
“If there’s a fire, we would all get out but it’s just a matter of how quickly.
“If the firies are trying to come in and we’re trying to get out, well, it’s not going to happen.
“Someone’s going to have to give.”
When the pair built their home 11 years ago, they said they were aware of the bushfire risks and built the house based on shire compliance.
“This was just a great big flat block,” Mr O’Neill said.
“We knew there was going to be an issue if it ever caught fire.
“So, I made inquiries with the local pollie and they said it was always going to be bush and it would be maintained by the hospital.”
Armadale Mayor Ruth Butterfield said the bushland across the O’Neill’s property was under the scope of the Department of Health.
“Nonetheless, the city is aware that the area is included in a mosaic burn program, which involves the Armadale Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service conducting rotational burns across four designated zones, when appropriate,” she said.
“While all bushland areas carry an inherent bushfire risk, this particular site is not considered to be more susceptible to bushfire than other comparable bushland within the city.
“Regular prescribed burns help to reduce fuel loads, thereby minimising the overall bushfire risk.
“It is well maintained and offers good accessibility for emergency response, which helps to mitigate potential risks.”
The Examiner asked the Department of Health questions about maintenance of the bushland, if it was aware of bike riders cutting through the land as well as how it planned to address the O’Neill’s concerns.
However, a response is yet to be received.
