In the aftermath of the 2019/2020 bushfire season, increasing emphasis has been placed on the importance of communities’ understanding bushfire risk and the role of vegetation management in reducing that risk. This project aims to assist fire and land management agencies continued efforts to improve community safety by identifying, developing, and assessing the effectiveness of community engagement activities in relation to vegetation management. Phase 1 will scope current community engagement practices for vegetation management by agencies and Phase 2 will identify the community stakeholders’ engagement needs and preferences about vegetation management.

Vegetation management is a process undertaken to maintain community safety and protect the environment. However, vegetation management can be challenging, and it requires the involvement of different stakeholders to achieve success. There is a long history of agency-led community engagement for vegetation management in Victoria. However, as the impacts of climate change exacerbate the challenges faced to protect communities and ecosystem function, so too does the need to assess where, when, and how agencies engage with communities. This knowledge will provide the evidence-based foundation for integrated and collaborative cross-agency improvements.

For more on the project see the project website at Natural Hazards Research Australia.

This project is funded by SaferTogether through Natural Hazards Research Australia, in partnership with the Country Fire Authority and Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.