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Helping farming communities prepare for bushfire
Gulf Savannah NRM’s Fire Smart Mareeba Shire project successfully built local capacity in responding to and mitigating bushfire risk.

Funded by the Australian Government’s Black Summer Bushfire Recovery grants program, the three-year Fire Smart Mareeba Shire project identified key areas of bushfire risk to local communities. It also provided training in bushfire preparedness, remote first aid, and fire management at both a property and community level. 

‘Bushfire impacts communities, properties, infrastructure and native flora and fauna in Mareeba Shire, and projections show fire risk is likely to increase in our region,’ Gulf Savannah NRM’s Vickie Mylrea said. 

A major focus was the need for neighbouring properties to work on their bushfire planning together. This led to the formation of cluster groups of neighbours who were then trained in risk mitigation management, pasture assessment, and developed fire management plans for their properties in collaboration with one another.

‘In these more remote country towns, it’s important for neighbours to work together. Everyone has to do their bit … keeping an eye out, helping to back burn … I just think it’s a given that everyone is helping each other,’ said Norman, a member of the project’s Leafgold cluster, based near Dimbulah.

Events were also organised for the whole community to attend, including neighbour days and fire forums which were held across the region.

The project concluded with the FNQ Fire Forum in Mareeba with over 60 fire managers, Indigenous rangers, agency partners, and residents attending the weekend-long event to participate in practical workshops and learn about the latest bushfire research.

Fire Smart Mareeba Shire project outcomes

  • 100+ people trained in remote first aid.
  • 120 landowners completed a bushfire plan for their property.
  • 250 people attended fire management training courses.
  • Fire Forums and Fire Smart Neighbour Days held in Mareeba, Mount Molloy, Koah, Emerald Heights, Irvinebank, Watsonville, and Biboohra.
  • Comprehensive shire-wide risk analysis, incorporating real on-ground fire risk assessments.
  • Strengthened community resilience and collaboration in bushfire management.