- Title:
-
Lessons from the Australian Interface: Reconciling wildfire risk with biodiversity conservation objectives in a regulatory system and the role of community engagement programs
- Date:
- September 2008
- Organisations
- AFAC 2008 Conference
- Authors:
- Owen Gooding
- Location:
- Australia, VIC, Australia
Overview
The International Bushfire Research Conference 2008 - incorporating The 15th annual AFAC Conference, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
In Victoria, Australia vegetation management is a requirement of permits for new developments in high wildfire risk areas.
Areas mapped for high wildfire risk often have high conservation value. Historically there has been conflict between the objectives for wildfire risk management and conservation.
In recognition of the need to provide the community with tools to reconcile the conflict, CFA initiated a project which is entitled Property Bushfire Preparedness and Native Vegetation Management.
Evaluation of the project to date indicates that although the decision making tools developed for application in the regulatory framework have some value, the principle change agent was the closer working relationship between the regulatory, land and emergency management agencies.
A significant barrier to achieving the project aim is the extent to which the broader community understands the basis of wildfire risk and conservation management.
To achieve a sustainable and comprehensive change to a community's capacity to address wildfire risk, stakeholder agencies must have:
- a working knowledge of the policy objectives, tools and drivers for their partner organisations,
- a shared understanding of effective community engagement,
- acceptance of the need to achieve multiple land management objectives, and
- combined advocacy for solutions.
