On 4th June the NSW State Government released its first ever Cultural Fire Strategy. This is a new framework and action plan recognises Cultural Fire as a practice distinct from hazard reduction burning that has cultural and spiritual significance for Aboriginal peoples and ecological, economic and social benefits.
The strategy has been developed by the Healthy Country Team, formed as part of the 2020 NSW Bushfire Inquiry response. Informed by an Aboriginal working group and a cross-government working group, the strategy sets out plans to reduce legislative barriers to using Cultural Fire and ensure the practices are led by Aboriginal communities. The potential of the practices to enable repair and regeneration of environments and mitigate the risk of destructive bushfires is recognised.
The key actions of the NSW Government include:
- documenting and resolving insurance barriers
- land management agencies updating agency policies and procedures
- creating an environmental assessment pathway for cultural fire
- developing staff cultural capability to act as an interface between agencies and Aboriginal communities
- establishing a cultural fire website
- identifying opportunities and research priorities to recognise the value of cultural fire practitioners’ expertise
- developing cultural monitoring, evaluation, review and adaptive management processes.
Find out more and view the Cultural Fire Strategy here: