Caring for Country, together
On 18 August, Reflections Holidays (Reflections), Yurruungga Aboriginal Corporation (YAC) and the Rural Fire Service came together for a demonstration cultural burn at Scotts Head. This was a significant milestone for all involved, after many years of planning.
Reflections is a category 1 Crown land manager and caring for Crown land reserves on behalf of the people of NSW is a core part of our role.
Delivered in partnership with YAC and the NSW Rural Fire Service, the demonstration cultural burn was a special, spiritual moment for the community to unite and is just one of the ways we are turning our commitment to reconciliation into action. Introducing more traditional land management practices across the Crown reserves in our care, is just one of the actions in our second Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
What happens now?
Reflections has engaged YAC to undertake biodiversity and biosecurity monitoring as part of the follow up work program. Reflections will work alongside YAC to deliverweed and wildlife management to improve the health of the land, protect habitat and guide its future care.
What does this work involve?
A key part of this work is giving the land time and space to recover naturally.We know how deeply the local community cares for these Crown reserve areas, and we value that support.
The initial stage will include clearing all rubbish and debris from the site of the cultural burn. YAC Rangers will monitor the site condition and along with biodiversity and biosecurity checks.
What was the approval process for the cultural burn?
Reflections worked with the Rural Fire Service who completed a ‘Prescribed Burn Plan’ which outlines the plan for conducting the burn including consideration of vegetation type, site characteristics, fuel characteristics, assets and protection measures. The RFS also prepared a Review of Environmental Factors which includes consideration of planning controls and an environmental assessment.
While Reflections is the Crown land manager for this land, the Rural Fire Service is the approving agency for the work.
Can the community work on the sites where the cultural burn took place?
As a reminder, these areas of Crown land are under the management of Reflections Holidays as the Crown land manager. Members of the public are kindly asked not to plant trees, remove vegetation or carry out other work within these areas.
Generally, this type of activity is well intended however it may interfere with the land’s natural recovery and the approved management plan that is being implemented.
Reflections will continue to work with YAC over the next few months to care for the land and together, we’re healing, renewing and strengthening Country.
