Fuel age map shows bushfire threat

The horrifying scale of the bushfire threat faced by West Australians is made clear by this map exposing the amount of old vegetation across the state. Source: Supplied

THE horrifying scale of the bushfire threat faced by West Australians is made clear by this map exposing the amount of old vegetation across the state.

The map reveals the build-up of fuel - combustible trees, shrub and ground litter - aged over seven years near Perth and in the South-West.

This is the age it becomes almost impossible to control on even average summer conditions - let alone catastrophic days with soaring temperatures and fast winds.

Rising fuel ages and a failure to hit prescribed burn targets means bushfire is WA's "pre-eminent hazard", according to the State Emergency Management Committee.

Its recent report uses a similar version of this map to highlight the point, which is based on data from the Department of Parks and Wildlife.

"The accumulation of (fuel aged more than seven years) is creating the potential for fires of extreme intensity for which suppression may not be possible before major damage occurs," the SEMC's latest Emergency Prepardness Report warns.

As of last July, there was almost 2.1 million hectares of fuel aged seven years and older across WA, the paper reveals. Fuel aged under six years spanned 944,000ha.

Bushfire Front chairman Roger Underwood described the accumulation of older fuel - about eight tonnes per hectare - near poorly prepared residential areas as WA's "ticking time bomb".

"This map demonstrates that 80% of South-West forests and national parks are now in a situation where firefighters will not be able to tackle or surpress a fire even in moderate conditions because of the very heavy fuels," Mr Underwood said.

"This is a diabolacle problem that has crept up on us over the past 15 years. No-one was worried in the past couple of years - but now everybody is worried."

In 2012/13, DPaW achieved just 23,648ha of its annual prescribed burn target of 200,000ha in the South-West.

This was blamed on a wet spring during the 2012 "burning season" and a subsequent sharp rise in the Soil Dryness Index following summer.

So far in 2013/14, DPaW has completed 40 of its 152 planned prescribed burns and started another 18 covering more than 60,000ha so far this season.

The figure is well short of its target, but the department said further burning is likely in the Warren region where conditions may remain suitable for some time.

Mr Underwood, a former Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) general manager, said the weather was "no excuse".

He said Perth householders need to be more tolerant of smoke from prescribed burning and some rules governing burns need to be relaxed.

In 2011, 40 properties in Margaret River were razed after being sparked by an out-of-control burn. The inferno prompted tighter regulations.

But without strong community support, Mr Underwood said he doubts the authorities will ever be able to catch-up on the backlog.

Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes president Tony Pratico claimed DPaW was "running scared" of prescribed burns.

"Instead of getting fuel reduction every eight, 10, 15 years - we are talking about 30 years before they get back into a rotation and it's only going to get worse because every year they fall behind," Mr Pratico said.

Shire of Manjimup president Wade DeCampo added: "There is only one thing that will fix that - and that's money.

"It's more resource and more money for DPaW so that when they can burn, and they have the ability to burn, they do burn. That's the only way to do it."

Opposition emergency services spokeswoman Margaret Quirk called for DPaW to take on more seasonal workers to carry out burns when the "window of opportunity" arises.

Fire Commissioner Wayne Gregson said prescribed burns were done with best practice and were not impeded by the regime's systems and processes.

"Obviously there are a number of variables that affect (DPaW) capacity to do a prescribed burn. The expectation is they adhere to the standard but they are not impeded by that standard," Mr Gregson said.

DPaW said its prescribed burning program is governed by a number of factors, including weather conditions.

"However, over the past 20 years, the department has met 79 per cent of its cumulative annual target," a spokeswoman said.

"The department takes every opportunity to carry out prescribed burns when it is safe to do so. Residents and other land managers also need to carry out their own fire preventive measures."

Under the bonnet of car club culture

THE headlights stretched in a line as far as the eye could see on Old Yanchep Road as about 60 cars with beefed-up engines, body kits and stereos heavy with bass rolled through the night.

The Sunday Times joined Unforgotten car club members on a Saturday-night "cruise" from Hillarys to Yanchep and back to find out what gives these men - and women - their passion for petrol.

With the media along, there were no burnouts, speeding or drag racing, and the worst anti-social behaviour was revved engines when the cars pulled up near Hungry Jack's for a dinner stop.

Many of the members - mostly men in their early to mid-20s - insisted that the club was not a meeting of revheads out to menace society, but a gathering of like-minded friends who simply love cool cars that go fast, sound loud and pack plenty of horsepower.

HSV owner Josh Hardman, 26, said pouring his savings into his passion for cars was "a hell of a lot better than blowing $600 a fortnight in Northbridge''.

Toby Morris with his 600hp Commodore SS ute, fitted with an aftermarket supercharger, cams, exhaust and lots more. Source: News Limited

Stephen Radis, 19, of Joondalup, conceded he had written off his HSV Clubsport show car after a driver pulled out in front of him, but said club members were constantly told to drive responsibly and those who didn't were soon booted out.

Club president Glenn Polidano insisted car enthusiasts were saddled with "the hoon label" because of the actions of a few idiots, though there was no shortage of idiots last month when more than 180 drivers were fined at a car cruise to remember late Hollywood star Paul Walker of the Fast and the Furious movies.

That event was organised by the Unforgotten car club, which called it off when more than 3000 non-members turned up, with some refusing pleas to drive safely. Top traffic cop Nick Anticich slammed those caught hooning, saying it was typical of the dangerous behaviour of a minority

Last year, a member of the notorious Running On Empty club pleaded guilty to a charge of reckless driving and was banned from driving for life for doing a burnout in front of a crowd of people.

Member of Unforgotten, gather at car park in Hillarys before the cruise starts. Source: News Limited

Unforgotten's co-founder Marc Jones, 21, admitted clubs like his "sometimes get a few dickheads'' and said so far six members have been expelled.

"Not everyone is an angel but we tell them to save it for the right place - official days at the track (Kwinana Motorplex),'' he said.

Despite professing their innocence, many members said they'd lost their licence at some time. Others conceded they had illegal engine performance modifications hidden under the bonnet.

On the Saturday night cruise, drivers stayed at or below the speed limit, with only the sleekness of their vehicles marking them out as anything other than ordinary road users.

Their passion for cars, however, is anything but ordinary.

Belmont car stereo technician Toby Morris, 21, said he's owned up to six cars at a time, including a Holden Commodore SS with $60,000 worth of modifications and a Toyota HiAce van that he spent every cent of his savings turning into a "nightclub on wheels''.

CEO of Unforgotten car club, Glenn Polidano, introduces new members and explains the route and rules for the cruise. Source: News Limited

Auto glazier Daniel Silvestro, 20, from Westminster - who admitted he'd lost his licence after being charged with reckless driving while "having a bit of fun in the wet'' in his Toyota Celica - said he'd owned 18 different cars since he was 16. "I love cars way too much to think about a house or a holiday. I spend everything on cars,'' he said.

His reason for joining the club was typical of many members, describing Unforgotten Carclub as a "family'' and a source of friendship and camaraderie.

It's also very well organised.

Glenn Polidano said: "A lot of people think we're a bunch of kids jumping in loud cars being idiots. The truth is we're having board meetings, we're organising charity runs, we are run as a business, we're working with the police and not against them, and we're telling our members that 10 seconds of fun isn't worth the lives of your mates in the car."

An Unforgotten car club member cruising past in his Nissan S13 Silvia. Source: News Limited

His girlfriend, auto spray painter Kara Mullane, 22, of Canning Vale, said women were welcome in the club and many knew more about cars than the blokes. "The girls also get hassled more by the cops," she said. "I got pulled over 32 times in my first one and a half years on the road. My car at the time was bright pink so it was hard to miss."

Ms Mullane - who drives a Nissan Silvia S13 convertible, one of only three in WA - has written off one car and lost her licence once, but said her life had changed since joining Unforgotten.

Ms Mullane said she was estranged from her family. "The car club is my family now," she said.

One former club member who agreed to speak to <i>The Sunday Times</i>said drivers, while well behaved on club cruise nights, let their hair down during everyday driving. "If you pull up next to another GTR at the lights you're going to dump it (accelerate rapidly) when the light turns green," he said. "You want to see who's got the faster car, who's the boss and who's got the biggest d--k."

Mr Polidano, on the other hand, insists most car enthusiasts don't hoon because they value their licence too much.

Police have no problem with vintage and classic car clubs, but unofficially believe clubs like Unforgotten blur the line between enthusiasts and hoons. To shake that tag and build its family friendly image, Unforgotten is organising outings to Perth Zoo and charity fundraisers.

And the regular car cruises will continue.

Unforgotten car club member, Stephen Radis (19), owns a modified VY HSV Clubsport. Source: News Limited

Serco spy games: Escapees' ultimatum

The Yongah Hill Immigration Detention Centre. Source: News Limited

ASYLUM seekers who escape detention would be sent offshore for processing under tough new measures to deal with breakouts.

Detainees would also undergo a vetting process used to identify potential terrorists to weed out high-risk individuals.

Documents leaked to The Sunday Times show Serco, the embattled private contractor that runs most of the country's detention centres, is desperate to overhaul safety procedures.

It comes after a spate of breakouts - including 24 detainees escaping in 13 separate incidents since July last year.

Last week, The Sunday Times revealed how three asylum seekers took just 45 seconds to escape from a Northam detention centre on January 12 using nothing more than padded socks.

Serco has come under increasing pressure from authorities to lift their performance.

The documents show Serco wants to transfer detainees who attempt escapes to more secure facilities. It suggests offshore centres such as Manus Island and Christmas Island.

Serco also calls for the current security risk assessment process for detainees to be replaced by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation's T4 Threat Methodology.

Currently, detainees are only assessed after they commit a misdemeanor.

Even then, their risk rating does not affect how they are monitored.

T4 is the group within ASIO - the country's spy agency - that provides security advice on potential threats of espionage, sabotage and politically motivated violence.

Under this process, detainees would be assessed on arrival and their threat level determined by other information such as their resourcefulness and ability to escape.

Serco also recommends escapees face criminal charges to deter copycat attempts or ¬repeat breakouts.

It also calls for facilities, such as the Yongah Hill Detention Centre in Northam, to be altered to include extra fencing to prevent escape bids.

Immigration Minister Scott Morrison this week demanded Serco lift its performance.

A spokesman for Mr Morrison yesterday said he would not comment on risk assessment processes for "operational reasons" but that all "illegal maritime arrivals" were "eligible" to be sent offshore.

He said in light of recent escapes at Yongah Hill, the government was upgrading the facility and moving medium to high-risk detainees.

The spokesman said the Minister was also "examining stronger sanction options" for escapees.

Refugee advocates have condemned the recommendation to send escapees offshore.

"I don't think any of those measures are going to help," Case for Refugees chief executive Shayla Strapps said.

"Perhaps the Minister should consider why these people are escaping."

'I love my car like a newborn baby'

Unforgotten Carclub founder Glenn Polidano. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: News Limited

GLENN Polidano says the inspiration to start his own car club struck him when he regained consciousness after a failed attempt to take his own life.

Now, he's president of Perth's Unforgotten car club, which has more than 600 members and chapters around WA and overseas. "They're family, they're my blood,'' he said. "I don't welcome new members to the club. I welcome them to the family.''

The 23-year-old former nightclub bouncer from Joondalup doesn't think of a car as a means to get from A to B, either. "I love my car like people love their newborn baby,'' he said.

Despite his love of fast, loud and powerful cars, he hasn't driven in almost five years, except to reverse his R33 Nissan Skyline - complete with $30,000 worth of modifications - out of the garage and on to his driveway to wash it.

A series of speeding offences, driving while unlicensed and driving a motorcycle out of class bought him a five-year driving ban that will keep him off the road until later this year.

And he insists he has learnt his lesson. "I won't be losing my licence again," he said. "It's torture. You don't realise how much you need a licence until you can't just get in your car to get to work or go and buy some milk."

Polidano manages the tyre shop at Big Rock Toyota in Balcatta and spends virtually all his spare time running Unforgotten car club, organising member cruises, planning promotions and track days at Kwinana Motorplex, and expanding his empire with new chapters, merchandising and events.

That's when he's not hanging out with his girlfriend, Unforgotten member and self-confessed petrolhead Kara Mullane, 22, of Canning Vale. She drives as Nissan Silvia S13 convertible - one of only three in WA - and says she knows more about what's under the bonnet than her boyfriend.

It's a massive turnaround after living on the streets in his teenage years and, in 2008, trying to take his own life when he hit the lowest point of his life.

"I tried to take the easy way out," he said. "I'm glad it didn't work out. After that I had a whole different outlook.

"I followed my passion for cars. It was the best decision I ever made. It saved my life, no doubt about it.''

Lifeline 131144; Kids Help Line 1800 55 1800

Hope and joy rise from Hills' ashes

Brett Unwin with his children Hannah,12, Cam, 14, and Thomas, 14, on the site of where their home once stood. Source: News Limited

HE lost everything, but amid the ashes and devastation, Perth Hills bushfire victim Brett Unwin says he's been "given wings" by the overwhelming generosity of the WA public.

A total of $317,000 has now been raised for victims of the Parkerville-Stoneville bushfire that razed 56 homes.

The Sunday Times, PerthNow and Channel 9, in partnership with Channel 9 kicked off the appeal with a joint $20,000 donation to The Salvation Army.

Mr Unwin, 50, fled his home with his children Thomas, 14, Cam, 14, and Hannah, 12 and "virtually nothing else but the clothes on my back''.

Flames reduced the builder and carpenter's Richardson Street home, that he'd built four years ago, to ashes.

"There wasn't a nut or a bolt salvageable from the shed, the house, the camper trailer . .  . nothing,'' he said.

His children lost their go-carts and quad bikes, but Mr Unwin said he was lucky to escape at all.

Mr Unwin said the offers of help and assistance since then had been "mind-blowing'', while financial aid from St Vincent de Paul, The Salvation Army and Bendigo Bank had been "a real help''.

"Even the local hairdresser is cutting people's hair for free, not that I have any,'' he said.

Mr Unwin is now renting a house nearby but plans to rebuild as soon as he receives an insurance payout.

Volunteers and friends organised a busy-bee at his property to clear away the rubble, while other friends sorted out a house full of furniture for him.

"It's been amazing," he said. "It does sort of give you wings."

Salvation Army WA fundraising secretary Warren Palmer said the generosity of the community had been "above all our expectations''.

The Sunday Times and PerthNow managing director Michelle d'Almeida said she was overjoyed with the generosity of West Australians.

Channel 9 Perth managing director David Mott said the station was "extremely proud to have joined with The Sunday Times and The Salvation Army to support our community in this great time of need".

Donations can be made by calling 13 72 58 (13Salvos) or at www.salvationarmy.org.au.

The Lord Mayor's Distress Relief Fund has raised almost $1.5 million for fire victims.

Man critical after being set alight

Police are investigating a case where a 20-year-old man was set alight in Cannington early this morning and suffered burns to about 40 per cent of his body. Source: News Limited

POLICE are investigating a case where a 20-year-old man was set alight during a fight in Cannington early this morning and suffered burns to about 40 per cent of his body.

The victim, from East Cannington, is in Royal Perth Hospital in a critical but stable condition. He was burnt on his legs and abdomen, with minor burns to his face.

Police believe the incident occurred around Mallard Road and Hamilton Street in Cannington between 4am and 4.30am.

Kensington Detectives officer-in-charge Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Rob Jamieson said the victim was out walking and was approached by five dark-skinned males, a police spokesman said.

He said during the altercation it is believed some form of accelerant was poured or sprayed onto the victim and he was set alight.

The man showed up at Cannington Police Station about 4.30am and collapsed. An ambulance was called and the man was taken to Royal Perth Hospital.

The police station was closed after the incident, but has been reopened this afternoon.

One of the offenders is described as 18 to 25 years old, about 175cm tall, of slim build and was wearing black and red basketball shorts and no shirt.

The victim is described as fair-skinned and at the time of the incident he was wearing black jeans or shorts, white sneakers and a black singlet. He was shirtless when he arrived at the police station as he had taken it off as he put out the fire.

Detectives want to speak to anyone who saw the victim or offenders in the area this morning.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police call for fatal crash information

POLICE have urged the public to come forward with information about a fatal crash in Hillarys last night.

A Breath and Drug Bus operation was in place on West Coast Drive when about 8:40pm a

Ducati motorcycle approached the operation and the rider failed to stop for a breath test.

A vehicle attached to the operation attempted to stop the motorcycle, however it failed to stop

and the officers engaged in a pursuit.

The motorcycle turned onto Hepburn Avenue, heading in an easterly direction.

At the same time, a BMW was being driven west on Hepburn Avenue.

The motorcycle and the BMW collided at the intersection of Hepburn Avenue and Waraker Road.

The motorcycle rider, a 28 year old man from Beldon, received serious injuries in the crash, and police officers commenced CPR until an ambulance arrived.

The rider was unable to revived and died at the scene.

Anyone with information regarding this crash, or who saw the vehicles involved prior to the

crash, is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.