For the first time in NSW, cultural burning is being recognised as a vital Aboriginal practice through the Cultural Fire Strategy.
Cultural fire is not hazard reduction. It’s a tradition that has been practised by Aboriginal people for millennia. Cultural fire practices have spiritual, environmental and social outcomes at their core.
The Strategy will support Aboriginal people to lead the use of cultural fire on Country. It simplifies processes, clarifies responsibilities and removes unnecessary regulatory barriers.
Developed in partnership between Aboriginal groups and NSW Government agencies, the Strategy formally acknowledges the expertise of Aboriginal burning practitioners.
In the communities where they have been able to practise cultural fire burning, there have been beneficial economic, spiritual, environmental, social, educational and health outcomes.
An example of this is the NSW South Coast, where Aboriginal-led cultural burning has supported healthier ecosystems and strengthened cultural knowledge sharing between Elders and younger generations.
The Batemans Bay Local Aboriginal Land Council and the Walbunja Ranger Team have been using cultural fire activities across a range of land in the Batemans Bay area, some of which involve fee-for-service work that assists with employment and training costs.
Near Tumut, the Buugang Wambal project led by Walgalu and Wiradjuri people promotes caring for Country to protect critically endangered species that are important to the Walgalu-Wiradjuri community.
Northern Tablelands Banbai Rangers are using cultural fire to ‘learn from Country’ and to properly
implement fire the ‘right way’ on the Wattleridge and Tarriwa Kurrukun Indigenous Protected Areas. In doing so, their team looks after heritage, including Aboriginal rock art sites, artefacts, stories and knowledge.
The Strategy will improve coordination of cultural fire across NSW, responding to recommendations from the Bushfire Inquiry and contributing to government commitments under the NSW Closing the Gap Priority Reforms and the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe said:
“Cultural fire is an essential cultural practice and supports Aboriginal people to care for Country as they have for thousands of years.”
“Cultural fire is not simply another hazard reduction technique. Cultural fire is led by Aboriginal people and guided by cultural knowledge, values and responsibilities to care for Country and kin.
“I look forward to working in partnership with Aboriginal people as we make this strategy a reality.”
Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib said:
“This strategy will support opportunities for fire services to work with Aboriginal people and develop a greater understanding of cultural burning methods to help manage the landscape.”
Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty Minister David Harris said:
“I’m proud to be part of a Government that is committed to working in partnership with and learning from Aboriginal people.
“Cultural fire keeps community, culture and Country strong and this strategy recognises the expert knowledge of Aboriginal people who have cared for Country as the on-going custodians for tens of thousands of years.
“It acknowledges the strength and importance of Aboriginal-led sustainable land management practices for healthy Country and communities.”
Bundjalung and Wonnarua woman and manager of the DCCEEW Healthy Country Team, Dr Vanessa Cavanagh, said:
“Aboriginal people know the importance of caring for Country, including with fire, and they know that what is good for Country is good for everyone.
“The outcomes are more than just about fire, they are environmental, social, spiritual and cultural. The strategy helps NSW Government in supporting Aboriginal-led approaches”
Gumbayngirr woman and former NSW Cultural Fire Aboriginal Working Group member, Dr Chels Marshall, said:
“The Cultural Fire Strategy has been a long time coming. We are starting to see the impacts of it on the ground which is great and we want to see more Aboriginal people empowered to care for Country, the strategy is a key step in making that happen”
