Old ways to help manage the future

An ancient tradition of burning the headlands at Kianga and Dalmeny is being trialled to improve the growth of native grassland as part of a joint project between the Rural Fire Service and Eurobodalla Shire Council.

Indigenous Australians maintained the headlands' open grassy places which were created using fire over hundreds, perhaps thousands of years. The areas were used for camping, hunting and rituals as well as communications along the coast. Regular burning kept them free from shrubs because seedlings cannot tolerate intense fire.

The two headlands at Duesburys Point and Duesburys Beach are home to some of the last remaining stands of the Themeda Grassland communities in Eurobodalla, commonly known as kangaroo grass. Themeda Grasslands are a protected endangered ecological community under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. Management by ecological burning is a recommended method for conserving the grasslands.

The Rural Fire Service has conducted the first round of planned burns this month and more are planned next year.

To help the regeneration of the Themeda Grassland, council will also undertake weed control and may replant some native grass species. This conservation project is being carefully researched and monitored, with data being recorded over time to see how and where the plant species are growing, both before and after the burn. The grassland is expected to be black for a short time until spring brings regrowth.

Council's Divisional Manager for Environmental Services, Deb Lenson, says this is the first time council has planned an ecological burn on the Kianga and Dalmeny headlands.

"We are confident this will result in a great outcome for the future of these important areas. Burning the headlands will revitalize the native grasslands and reduce small tree seedlings and dead grass that builds up over time," Ms Lenson said.

The work is part of a NSW Government Environment Trust funded project to protect the grasslands and council has worked collaboratively with the Rural Fire Service and National Parks on the project.

If you would like more information on Themeda Grassland, please contact Eurobodalla Shire Council on 4474 1000.