Wurundjeri Elder and Narrap Unit Manager Sean Hunter said the tanker would increase the range of skills and services from within the Narrap Team so that it can continue to provide cultural burns and traditional land management practices on Country.
“The support provided here by FFMVic means the team can learn new ways of working that complement our traditional knowledge and skills,” Mr Hunter said.
“It will ensure the Narrap team continues to manage the significant cultural, community, and environmental value on a range of sites and projects and will also allow us to rediscover and document Wurundjeri traditional ecological knowledge for future generations.
“This aligns with our aspirations to provide a holistic approach to working on Country, which includes the maintenance of firebreaks and the restoration and regeneration of landscapes on our traditional lands.”
FFMVic Chief Fire Officer Chris Hardman said the tanker will assist the Traditional Owners in furthering capacity in land management.
“FFMVic staff in Greater Melbourne has been building a partnership to support Wurundjeri to manage and care for Country since 2019,” Chief Hardman said.
“With a focus on managing and protecting cultural heritage, Narrap has been growing its capacity to manage Country and has assisted us to plan, prepare and deliver our fuel management program.”
“FFMVic is committed to working together with Traditional Owners so fire can be used in a way to support cultural and land management aspirations.”
Cultural burning is mainly done to protect cultural or natural assets, ceremony, regeneration and management of food, fibre and medicines, fauna habitat protection, and healing Country’s spirit.
The Izusu heavy duty tankers, which have a 3000-litre water carrying capacity and can seat up to three people each, were previously used by FFMVic staff to conduct bushfire fuel management and firefighting activities. The tanker was given a full service and safety check in late September.
To learn more about cultural burning, visit www.ffm.vic.gov.au/bushfire-fuel-and-risk-management/traditional-owner-burns
For more information on the Narrap team: https://www.wurundjeri.com.au/services/natural-resource-management/narrap-country-team/ and WWWCHAC https://www.wurundjeri.com.au/