Port Stephens Council supports an Aboriginal-led working group to develop a ‘Culturally informed Cool Burn’ fire management strategy.
Two new projects in Mallabula and Anna Bay are being led by the Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council, Firesticks Alliance and Hunter Local Land Services.
The Culturally informed Cool Burn will focus on improving koala habitat, re-establishing appropriate fire regimes and reducing the risk and impact of wildfires.
These projects help with long term bush fire fuel reduction to support communities and ecosystems.
The projects aim to address key issues affecting the areas in 3 ways:
- Restores ecological kinship and care for Country while improving the core health of the site, significantly reducing the risk of wildfire and support a diverse flora community.
- Removes invasive weeds, such as lantana, to help reduce potential movement barriers for native fauna and encourages a diverse range of native plants to return to the sites.
- Community workshops and exhibition burns held will further educate and engage the community.
The projects will run over a 3 year period and will deliver:
- 6 Culturally informed Cool Burns within Anna Bay and Mallabula
- 6 community education workshops showcasing exhibition burns
- 3 community education workshops detailing the importance of the Anna Bay Koala Hub
- Over 700 hours of regenerative weed control.
The projects are being run in partnership with Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council, Firesticks Alliance and Hunter Local Land Services.
Both projects have been assisted by the NSW Government through its Environmental Trust funding program.
Image credit: Timothy Neal, Inside Story
