Residents with asthma and other respiratory condition are being warned of a planned cultural burn at on the north west outskirts of Inverell on Friday.
Inverell Shire Council has partnered with Northern Tablelands Local Land Services and Banbai Rangers for a Cultural Burn Workshop of a small parcel of land in the Ross Hill Reserve.
Council is aware of the approaching bushfire season and maintaining the area to reduce fuels
loads and control weeds in the vicinity.
The workshop will allow participants to be educated in how traditional practices influence the
landscape. Cultural burning is carried out for a wide range of purposes including; protecting
Country, promoting biodiversity, reducing fuel loads and the harvesting of resources.
James Sheather, Cultural Knowledge Broker with Northern Tablelands Local Land Services
says the practice supports both cultural and environmental understanding.
“Observing these practices highlights Indigenous knowledge, fosters respect for cultural
heritage, and encourages understanding of environmental stewardship rooted in thousands of
years of experience.”
The Cultural Burn Workshop is planned for this Friday, 23rd August, at 9am. The community is
invited to attend and is requested to bring sturdy boots, a hat, sunscreen, long trousers and a
sun safe shirt. Parking is available at the Jardine Rd entrance to Ross Hill Reserve.
Residents with respiratory conditions are advised, there will be some smoke in the area and it
is recommended to remain inside your home with windows and doors closed.
Rural Fire Service will be in attendance and the burn will not proceed if weather conditions
are not suitable.
More information about the practice of culture burns is available at https://firesticks.org.au/