Lockyer Valley Regional Council recently hosted a free community workshop in Kensington Grove, focusing on cultural burning as part of a holistic approach to land management.
Council’s Environment Portfolio Councillor Cheryl Steinhardt said the event brought together the Rural Fire Services Queensland, the University of Queensland and Wirrinyah Conservation Services to emphasise the significance of using fire strategically.
“This event was a great opportunity for landowners to not only learn how cultural burning can help mitigate bushfire risks, but also how it can enhance local ecosystems and wildlife habitats.
“We welcomed around 60 attendees to the sold-out event, with the line-up of speakers sharing valuable insights into fire management,” she said.
Cr Steinhardt said while the weather conditions were too hot and dry for a live cultural burn demonstration, attendees were shown how cultural burn is approached through continual monitoring.
“Indigenous fire practitioners Jake Anderson and Kruze Summers of Wirrinyah led an informative bushwalk and shared their cultural knowledge on environmental indicators and the optimal timing for burning various landscapes.
“Council understands the growing interest across many parts of the community and country for better ways to manage the environment and reduce bushfire hazards and arranging cultural burning workshops such as this one is part of Council’s commitment to supporting the community.
“It was certainly an engaging and educational experience for everyone involved,” Cr Steinhardt said.
This workshop was supported by grant funding from the Australian Government.
For more information, please contact Council on 1300 005 872.
