In the years leading up to the devastating 2019-2020 fires , the communities around Junee, Wagga Wagga, and Coolamon had already faced several large-scale fire events. Despite this history, there was a noticeable gap in how prepared residents felt. Many people knew the risks but still lacked the comprehensive fire plans and knowledge needed to protect their properties and landscapes. So, when the funding for a workshop emerged , it became clear that the focus had to be on practical, fire-resistant landscaping and property management strategies that made sense in the Box Gum Grassy Woodland environment many of us live in.
We organised two free workshops under Murrumbidgee Landcare’s People Led Resilience Program, thanks to funding from NSW Landcare and Reconstruction NSW. Held at the Old Junee Hall and a nearby Travelling Stock Reserve, these workshops were designed to be more than just informative talks. We brought in local fire authorities and experts to cover a range of topics, from fire safety services and fire-safe landscaping to animal welfare during and after a fire.
But what really brought it home for many was the hands-on experience of witnessing and being a part of a Cultural burn. Seeing how it’s conducted and learning about its role in the landscape gave the participants something practical to take away as well as how to respect fire and the land.
Case Study 2-2 – Creating Safer Environments through Fire Planning in Old Junee
