Bush Fire Recovery for Nymboida Landcare
Bush Fire Recovery for Nymboida Landcare
A Community Coming Back From Devastation
Capacity to Deliver -
LP022-008
The issue
Nymboida had been almost completely surrounded by bushfires for weeks when two fire fronts met on the 8th of November 2019. Unprecedented conditions drove what has been described as a firestorm through thousands of hectares of forest at such pace, that many residents barely had time to evacuate. Close to 100 homes were lost and the landscape was left completely charred. All members of the Nymboida Landcare group were impacted by the fires. Nine lost their homes, eight sustained significant damage to infrastructure and their properties and the Nymboida Landcare group lost all of their materials and equipment in the fires. It has taken the group over 25 years to eradicate weeds and regenerate native vegetation and the unprecedented destruction of the November fires has put that progress in significant jeopardy.
The solution
While the damage sustained to flora and fauna is immeasurable and heartbreaking, of particular concern at this stage is the abundance and diversity of weeds across all properties. In March 2020 the Nymboida Landcare group applied and were successful in receiving funds from the Bushfire Recovery Grant For Directly-Impacted Small Businesses. This funding will employ a professional bush regenerator, a coordinator and will purchase plant and other materials to be used across the Landcare sites. Work will focus on removing existing and emerging weeds and planting appropriate endemic species to replace the fire loss.
The impact
Nymboida Landcare had their first group meeting in June as COVID restrictions shut down the usual weed control and bush regeneration work-days. The professional contractor for the regeneration component was agreed upon, as was the coordinator who will manage the scope of works. Starting in the last quarter of 2020 the work is expected to lead into 2021 and is expected to bring hope and inspiration to those who have worked so hard to extend native habitat, build wildlife corridors and protect the Nymboida River.
Key facts
- The work will occur over 8 sites
- Each property will be visited twice
- 200 native species to be replaced