Mungalup Fire Tower Hut Restoration

The 36m high Jarrah timber Mungalup Fire Tower was erected in 1960, 10 kms south of Collie as part of a network of towers dotted around the southwest of WA. Their function was to provide a platform for observation of bush fires during the fire season and enable prompt fire mitigation action. They were an important strategy of fire control, effective protecting property and life for decades before the arrival of aerial and satellite methods.

In 2012, the Mungalup Tower was dismantled and replaced with a steel tower. Fortunately, the Mungalup Tower hut was removed in good condition a was stored in the DBCA yard in Collie for 13 years.

As part of a bigger project, to bring a complete fire tower to Collie as part of Timber Heritage project, Collie Rotary Club has partnered with Collie Shire Council and Coalfields Museum to restore the Mungalup Fire Tower Hut.

Currently Collie Rotary Members have been busy replacing the deteriorating timbers of the hut and restore it back to its original condition. It is hoped that eventually the hut will be placed on the restored Munro Fire Tower and be available for people to climb and experience the life and work of the fire observers who spent many days perched high while remaining vigilant for fires.

It is hoped that the completed project will be part of a Collie Heritage Precinct and also part of a bigger South West WA Industry Heritage Trail stretching from Dwellingup to Denmark.