Fire Ready Garden & Landscape Design
Fire Ready Garden & Landscape Design
Planning and designing gardens and landscapet to mitigate impacts of bushfires.
Capacity to Deliver
The issue
Native plant use in gardens and in landscapes is regaining popularity not just for their atheistic, but for practical purposes i.e. adapted to a dry climate or being endemic the environment where they are grown. Also people are more conscious of encouraging biodiversity in their immediate environment and are planting native plants to encourage insects/ birds and other animals into their immediate environment. With the frequency and intensity of bushfires increasing as well as the fact that most native Australian plants are highly flammable planning for bushfires is even more critical.
The solution
To address bushfire preparedness in landscapes using native plants, our Landcare group organised a workshop with local experts in fire preparedness and landscape design. The aim was to equip landholders with knowledge and tools for creating fire-resistant landscapes and to leave with an actionable plan for their own property.
The workshop covered three key areas:
- Fire Management: Clayton Jones from the Manton Rural Fire Brigade discussed managing, maintaining, and designing properties to defend against fire. He explained fire behavior dynamics and how to mitigate risks, and provided steps for creating a fire plan.
- Landscape Design: Jeff Dau from EMBER Bushfire Consulting offered advice on designing landscapes to protect homes, focusing on plant selection, defensible spaces, and reducing flammable vegetation.
- Ecology and Plant Management: Alison Elvin, Ecologist, Farmer and educator discussed bushfire impacts on ecology, plant flammability, and incorporating less flammable plants into gardens.
The impact
The workshop had a significant impact on participants and the wider community by encouraging the creation of personalised fire plans tailored to individual properties. Attendees left equipped with practical tools and knowledge to develop customised fire-resistant landscape designs.
The immediate achievement was providing landholders with resources to implement fire plans and create fire-conscious gardens. This personalised approach ensured participants could directly apply their learning, enhancing training effectiveness.
Long-term, as more landholders adopt fire-preparedness plans, the community will be better equipped to handle bushfires, minimising damage and protecting lives. Additionally, creating safe zones within gardens helps preserve local biodiversity and promotes ecological resilience.
Key facts
- There is significant community interest in fire planning and preparation, especially regarding non-flammable plants.
- Engaging local and experienced experts is crucial for participant engagement.
- Providing even a small amount of understanding can make people feel confident and empowered to prepare for bushfires.