F2F FAQs
F2F has three objectives:
- To deliver, evaluate and improve education and engagement programs aimed at promoting disaster resilience for individuals and communities in our region.
- To ensure there are appropriate arrangements for roadside vegetation management in place on Council Roads in our district.
- To engage with Traditional Owners to explore the relationship between Indigenous land and fire management and natural disaster resilience and to implement insights that can support better land management practices in our region.
It is the ability of a community exposed to emergencies to resist, absorb, accommodate and recover from the effects of an emergency in a timely and efficient manner by maintaining and restoring essential community structures and functions.
Source: National Recovery and Resilience Agency
Our maintenance and operations team has rolling programs to maintain vegetation located adjacent our roads, on fire tracks, parks, reserves and more.
Our Fire to Flourish project has increased council’s capacity to maintain vegetation for bushfire preparation by funding two additional team members.
We would like to work with the Traditional Owners and potentially the broader community to explore Indigenous land and fire management in relation to natural disaster resilience.
The scope for this project will be determined in consultation with the Traditional Owners, relevant authorities and the broader community. If you have an interest then please let us know your name, contact details and interest.
Council emphasises the importance of undertaking necessary fire prevention measures for the safety of your family, pets and property. Due to high amounts of rainfall this year, fuel loads will be at extreme levels and taking action now will assist in making your home safer in the event of a fire.
For more information go to our Prepare your Property web page or the South Australian Country Fire Service web page.
Climate change is impacting on factors that contribute to bushfires, floods and other natural emergencies. Intense bushfires will likely be affected by rising temperatures, more rapid drying of fuels and lower humidity levels. And as the climate warms there is an increased likelihood of heavy rainfalls contributing to the risks of flooding.
F2F will support communities to collaborate and coordinate in planning for and responding to natural emergencies. Being prepared will reduce the risks of natural emergencies to life, assets and the natural environment. Preparedness will additionally enable communities to recover better.
Source: National Recovery and Resilience Agency
With our project partners, we will:
- Provide support to townships to develop and implement community led disaster response plans.
- Opportunities to prepare community members to take on leadership roles in disaster planning, response and recovery.
- Provide information and advice for landholders to improve fuel load management.
- Provide opportunities to investigate and implement indigenous land and fire management strategies.
- Provide opportunities to investigate and implement strategies to improve roadside vegetation management.
Our current project partners include:
- The Australian Red Cross
- The SA Country Fire Service
- Council’s Fire Prevention Officer
- Council’s Environment and Natural Assets maintenance team
- Alexandrina Council
All individuals, community groups or businesses located or with an interest in the Mount Barker District Council area can get involved.
You can:
- phone 8391 7200
- email firetoflourish@mountbarker.sa.gov.au
- or go to www.mountbarker.sa.gov.au/fire-to-flourish
We are currently seeking expressions of interest for:
- staying informed
- community led emergency resilience workshops
- leadership roles in disaster planning, response and recovery
- Indigenous Land and Fire Management
- preparing your property
The F2F project is currently funded until March 2025 (2022-2025).
The CFS delivers professional fire and rescue services that responds to bushfire, building fire, road crash rescue and hazardous material spills.
Council (including F2F) work with the CFS to help with strategies for fuel reduction and to educate the community about bushfires and fire safety.