Integrated Fire Management Strategy on Moreton Island
Developing cultural burning fire management strategies.
Fire management planning with a focus on community safety, protection of life and property, and protection and maintenance of natural and cultural heritage values.This project is designed to develop a range of fire management strategies for specific sites on Mulgumpin (Moreton Island).
These fire management strategies consisted of a range of complimentary components that aim to deliver improved risk mitigation, detailed plan burn guidance, the identification of hazard reduction priorities, and wildfire suppression strategies and infrastructure needs for the Island with a particular emphasis on lands adjoining Cowan Cowan, Kooringal, Bulwer, Tangalooma, and Cape Moreton.
The project focused on:
- Cultural and ecological fire management assessment.
- Fire management planning with a focus on community safety, protection of life and property, and protection and maintenance of natural and cultural heritage values.
- Culturally relevant treatments (burning) at the centre of the recommended works and where not feasible, alternative actions were suggested.
Developing fire management strategies to protect Moreton Island with culturally relevant treatments (burning) at the centre of the recommended works.
What we did
Supporting the recovery and restoration of species, habitats, and natural and cultural assets.
This fire strategies development project consisted of a range of complimentary components and involved:
- Developing a Fire Management Strategy which involved the Quandamooka People, for the protection of life, property, and natural and cultural values.
- Capacity building through Quandamooka-led implementation of the planned burn programs to reduce fuel loads, protect infrastructure, and conserve cultural values in addition to natural systems and processes.
- Wildfire management through accessing and containing a fire in addition to safely applying planned fire as a means of returning to Aboriginal fire principles.
- Management of parks and forests to sustain natural and cultural values and build environmental resilience to ensure healthy species and ecosystems for future generations.
- Establishing strong partnerships to deliver benefits to parks and forests and the community.
- Supporting the recovery and restoration of species, habitats, and natural and cultural assets.
Measuring success
As a result, this project delivered four × level 2 map-based Township Fire Management Strategies for lands adjoining Cowan Cowan, Kooringal, Bulwer, Tangalooma, and Cape Moreton.
One of the most important components of the project and the strategies themselves is that culturally relevant treatments (burning) were at the centre of the recommended works and where not feasible, alternative actions were recommended – such as mechanical or chemical treatments.
Overall upgrades to existing fire management infrastructure and achieving an ideal Bushfire Attack Level to suit the risk in this area were recommended
Why this project is important
|
Effective fire management is crucial to the preservation of cultural heritage values on Moreton Island. Quandamooka People have always managed the Quandamooka Estate through fire. Fire is an important part of Quandamooka People’s native title rights and interests, and those rights to manage fire have always existed. The development of fire strategies through consultation with the Quandamooka People represents an opportunity for them to reestablish their custodianship of a living cultural landscape that was created and managed by their ancestors for millennia. In addition, it will guarantee that the frequency, timing, and intensity of planned fire achieve cultural landscape objectives, that life and property are protected, will reduce the risk of an island-wide bushfire, and limit the impact on culture and heritage values. |
Project snapshot
| Project name: | QYAC Mulgumpin Township Fire Management Strategies |
| Project manager: | Dr Diana Partridge, Healthy Land & Water |
| Catchment: | Moreton Island |
| Timing: | 2022 |
| Partnerships: |
This project was funded by the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC), with the support of the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services (QPWS), Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, and the Queensland Government Department of Environment and Science. |
| Related Articles: |
Project collaborators
This project was funded by the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC), with the support of the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services (QPWS), Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, and the Queensland Government Department of Environment and Science.
