Pemberton Mill Fire
Members of the community within the Shire of Manjimup would be aware that in the early hours of Friday morning 9 December 2022 a significant structural fire occurred within the Pemberton Timber Mill site. The fire occurred within the asbestos and steel clad main building of the site located on the southern edge of the Pemberton townsite.
As with all structural fires in Western Australia, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) assumed operational control and responded through the Pemberton and Manjimup Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services, supported by other fire crews from the South West. Throughout their response to the situation, DFES involved and liaised with the Department of Health, Department of Education, the Water Corporation, Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER), Department of Biodiversity and Attractions, the WA Police, the Shire of Manjimup and local business owners and updated the community with information via notifications on the Emergency WA website.
Shire President Paul Omodei praised the efforts of DFES and local fire and rescue volunteers “We extend our sincere thanks to DFES and the magnificent efforts of those fire brigade officers, members and volunteers in both initially containing and then controlling the fire”
DFES has now handed the site back to Parkside Pty Ltd, who have secured the site with fencing and a significant clean-up effort has now commenced under the initial advice of the DWER. Parkside have engaged the services of demolition and environmental specialists to assist with this process.
Cr Omodei added “DWER attended the site with stakeholders on 15 December 2022 and it was agreed that a Management Plan would be produced to guide the site clean up. Early indications are that the Pemberton community is safe from asbestos contamination as it appears to be primarily contained on the site and Parkside is likely to be taking action to seal exposed asbestos fibres on the site shortly to minimise any further risk.”
“We will continue to update the community as information comes to hand and the meantime we ask members of the public to please stay off the site.” he concluded.
Further information regarding risks associated with fire damaged asbestos, please follow the following links.
• EH Risks during and after a bushfire
-ENDS-
Authorised by Andrew Campbell, Chief Executive Officer
Contact Sheri Laba, Public Relations Officer
Contact for comment: Paul Omodei, Shire President
Contact: 0448 810 773
