The Traditional Fire Burn workshop organised by Moonbahlene Local Aboriginal Land Council that was postponed last September due to, ironically enough, fires has now been re-scheduled.
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The workshop will take place on Monday, November 25 from 3pm at Tenterfield Memorial Hall, Moonbahlene's CEO Helen Duroux advises.
Local landholders and authorities have the opportunity to learn from traditional methods from nationally-recognised Tradition Burning Man Victor Stephenson discussing how traditional practices influence the landscape.
The workshop will address how these traditional techniques not only benefit land health but increase biodiversity while managing wildfire risk through reducing fuel loads and creating fire breaks.
The workshop is the culmination of a commitment by Moonbahlene Local Aboriginal Land Council chief executive officer Helen Duroux at the March fire debrief to seek the advice of a professional indigenous fire technician. At that time there were moves by disgruntled landholders including Councillor Bronwyn Petrie to have an indigenous fire crew delegated to carry out fuel reduction.
Ivan Lackay, Northern Tablelands LLS Aboriginal communities officer, recognises the benefits and cultural significance of traditional fire burning practices.
"There are a number of benefits that come out of traditional burning, otherwise known as 'cool' or 'cultural' burning," he explained.
"Burning encourages the regeneration of native grasses and production of new feed. It reduces scrub and fuel which helps in preventing intense future bushfires. Importantly, it assists in promoting biodiversity."
With fire danger looking to increase as summer approaches due to the current conditions, Ivan is encouraging community members, as well as landholders, to take part in the workshop. The practices taught will be particularly relevant regarding the reduction of fuel as a preventive measure.
Ivan is encouraged by the shift that is taking place in the recognition and adoption of some of the traditional Aboriginal land management practices that have a positive impact on sustainable land management.
"Passing on local traditional Aboriginal knowledge and educating people to increase their understanding of the benefits is vitally important for our modern-day agricultural practices," he said.
