Harrogate ecological burn a first for Mount Barker District Council
Mount Barker District Council’s Fire Prevention Officer Frank Regan said representatives from conservation group Bush For Life asked Council to coordinate the burn to protect a patch of Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra) growing in the area.
“Kangaroo Grass is on the decline in South Australia and one of Council’s key environmental objectives is to care for the landscape by protecting and restoring native vegetation,” Frank said.
“Ecological burns reduce fuel loads and bushfire risk like standard prescribed burns, but they’re conducted at lower temperatures to deliver more environmental benefits.”
While it may sound counterintuitive burning to conserve, Kangaroo Grass is a fire-adapted species that thrives during ecological burns.
“Ecological burning encourages seeds to germinate and promotes the rapid growth of Kangaroo Grass which many native species of butterfly rely on to survive,” Frank said.
“When the Kangaroo Grass becomes more dominant, it will help support biodiversity in the area and stop other woody tree and shrub species from moving in and taking hold.
‘By taking a proactive approach to managing the landscape through an ecological burn, we’re mitigating future bushfire risk and delivering improved environmental outcomes – it’s a win-win.”
Brukunga Country Fire Service volunteers will undertake the prescribed burn at Harrogate Recreational Reserve in collaboration with Council staff and Bush for Life representatives.
The burn will produce smoke which may be smelt or seen from several kilometres away, and Council has advised residents and community groups.
The proposed burn is scheduled to take place on Saturday 18 October weather permitting.
Protecting, managing and maintaining biodiversity assets through activities such as ecological burning is a key focus area of Council’s Environment and Sustainability Strategy 2035.
Council will monitor the results of this month’s ecological burn to inform future land management practices.
