Providing skills for Bushfire Recovery
Providing skills for Bushfire Recovery
HNLN teamed up with the charity RuffTRACK to run a skill-based workshop on fencing following the 2019-20 fires and floods.
Capacity to Deliver -
LP042 - 09
The issue
At a Recovery Hub session in Macdonald Valley, residents reported needing assistance with fencing on their properties and expressed interest for a workshop to learn or recap fencing skills and which fences are suitable where, so that they could fix their fences themselves. Several people mentioned that due to generational shift and landownership changes, they did not feel comfortable working on their fences.
The solution
A workshop was delivered for landholders which included a break-down of different fencing types, purposes, planning and the materials required including tools. Landholders had a practical go at installing the three main elements of a fence: strainer assembly, intermediate posts and droppers and wire stretched tight between the strainers. They had a go at the skills involved such as manually digging fence post holes, tying off wire with plyers and a wire strainer and, how to line up posts in straight line with just two people.
RuffTRACK completed fencing assistance on 6 properties damaged by the 2019-20 fires and floods and provided consultation to one landholder on request. HNLN provided funding for materials and the event through FRRR funding for their project Regenerating Our Bushland Together, Upper Hawkesbury.
The impact
Twelve people attended the Installing a Fence Workshop in Lower Macdonald, with 9 others interested but unable to attend. Landholders reported feeling more confident with making decisions about and repairing their own fences. RuffTRACK completed over 168 hours of in-kind fencing assistance, valued at $30,240. This assistance boost helped properties get back on track and return livestock to paddocks sooner than they would have been able to otherwise.
The day also acted as a social event and an opportunity for people to meet others, ask questions and enjoy lunch together which is important in a community recovering from disasters.
Learnings
Providing extra equipment and tools meant everyone could practise the workshop's skills and definitely contributed to the value of the workshop.
Running an event on a weekday did effect attendance, a compromise that was needed this time but maybe a second day needs to be organised.
This workshop works well with small numbers of 6-12. If there were more people then more staff would have been needed to set up 'stations' to practice skills.
Key facts
- Fencing workshop held for landholders to empower them with the necessary skills to recover fences after bushfires and floods.
- Landholders reported being more confident with making decisions about and repairing their fences.
- Over 168 hours of in-kind fencing assistance provided by RuffTRACK on 6 properties, valued at $30,240.