Banyula’s First Hazard Reduction Burn
September marked a milestone for Banyula with the completion of our first planned hazard reduction burn.
Fire has long been part of the discussion here. Since arriving, we’ve experienced a few wildfires entering the property from neighbouring land, highlighting the need for a more strategic and proactive approach. After years of collaboration with the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS), the Nature Conservation Council’s Hotspots program, and National Parks and Wildlife Service fire practitioners, we were ready to put our Fire Management Plan into action.
Adrian, our Biodiversity Program Manager, led the development of Banyula’s Fire Management Plan, mapping the property for both wildfire suppression and ecological outcomes. The plan outlines vegetation types, fire history, and asset protection priorities, while ensuring our track network meets RFS standards for safe access and control.
The plan was met with enthusiasm by local brigades with an understanding of our conservation goals. On a perfect winter’s day in the middle of September, more than 50 RFS crew members and 12 trucks, led by Group Captain Daryl Watt, who was Burn Controller for the exercise, carried out cool burns across 16 hectares.
The focus was on reducing fine fuels while protecting key wildlife habitat. Nest boxes and key hollow bearing habitat trees were marked up and mapped out for the crew ahead of the day, and on-ground site preparation, including creating wet lines and raking of specific trees, was part of the training.
The day was a valuable training opportunity for the RFS, particularly for first-time leaders learning on-ground skills in real conditions. It was also a chance to test and adapt to new technology, including the latest field computer system used for mapping and real-time coordination. These innovations are changing the way fire is viewed and managed, helping crews plan more precisely and respond safely.
Each burn behaved differently depending on the slope, aspect, and moisture, creating a healthy mosaic of burnt and unburnt patches that supports ground-dwelling fauna.
Ken, Banyula’s groundsman, also took part in the day, putting his new RFS training into practice and assisting the crews with on-ground coordination which was invaluable.
The success of this burn reflects the value of collaboration between conservation managers and local brigades. It strengthened our community partnerships, supported ecological health, and helped RFS volunteers build their skills and confidence using new technology.
““Overall, the day was a great success and something that Banyula was very happy to have hosted. It provided a good outcome for us, but also was very important as a training event for the fire crews, including first time leaders.” ”
Thanks to the crews from Minnie Water, Wooli, Pillar Valley, Glenreagh, Halfway Creek, Glenugie and Lanitza and Kungala.
Banyula is proud to have hosted the day and grateful for the professionalism, enthusiasm, and teamwork that made it such a success.
Since the burn, we have introduced some cameras in the areas to see what we can learn about the recolonisation and use of freshly burned areas by fauna.
We are also planning and implementing a mosaic of other forms of prescriptive burning in parts of Banyula, including cultural and ecological burns that are small, patchy and cool… stay tuned for more!
