Bushfires 2019-2020
The 2019-2020 bushfires were devastating. Not only did they burn forests, farms, buildings to the greatest extent ever recounted, but they also took the life of 34 people and more than a billion animals (CDP, 2020). In Queensland specifically, more than half of the Gondwana world heritage rainforests were burned, including the iconic Binna Burra Lodge.
Our multidisciplinary research project is contributing to bushfire recovery and resilience and is jointly funded under the Commonwealth/State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements 2020.
This project acknowledges the people who are the Traditional Custodians of the Land and pays respect to the Elders, past and present, and extends that respect to other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
Sustainable Development Goals
Griffith University is aligned with the United Nation鈥檚 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and is committed to taking action on climate change and strengthening global partnerships to address this issue, collaborating on innovative solutions for a sustainable and resilient future.
Project objectives
This project aimed to strengthen community resilience to disasters by capturing and sharing first-hand accounts of local responses to the 2019–2020 bushfires that affected natural heritage sites. Storytelling pavilions were constructed at two impacted locations to collect and present these personal memories. By increasing awareness, encouraging dialogue, and fostering collective learning, the project contributed to preserving community knowledge and enhancing preparedness for future disasters.
Final report
Published in November 2021, Fire Memories captures personal stories of community response to the 2019–2020 bushfires to support resilience-building. Funded by a Queensland Bushfires Category C Grant, the report identifies key areas for improvement and presents 18 recommendations. We thank all contributors and partners for their support.
Media
- Griffith News
with A/P Karine Dupre
Bush Fires Tell a Powerful Story - Timber and Forestry News
Climate Change Adaption in Binna Burra - Jacqui McLaren
Building the Phoenix Pavilion
The Phoenix Pavilion: Binna Burra Lodge
The Bushfire Pavilion is part of a research project between Binna Burra and Griffith University. It’s a place for reflection and a space to share stories about how the community emerged from the disaster. We hope it becomes a hub for the community to reflect about the impact of natural disasters and consider how we can become more resilient.
The Phoenix Pavillion
Stories of Resilience and Recovery
This movie presents the memories of community members in the Scenic Rim Region before, during and after the 2019-2020 bushfires. A very warm thank you to our participants. Editors: Sahel Dupre-Virtamo and Julien Bonneau-Figuereo.
Photo gallery
Our researchers
The Griffith University multidisciplinary team is composed of experts in sustainable tourism, design and environment. Binna Burra Lodge, Mount Barney Lodge and Scenic Rim Regional Council are our partners for this project, funded by the Commonwealth/State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements 2020.
Acknowledgements
We would like to acknowledge the research assistance provided by Dr Sera Vada, Miss Sasha Wales, Mr Sahel Dupre-Virtamo, Mr Julien Bonneau-Figuereo and all those who assisted us in this project.
Engineering and Construction Team Members: A/Prof Benoit Gilbert, Dr Ian Underhill, James Webster, Chuen Yiu Lo, Juergen Zier, Josh Jardine.
Timber collaborations: Forest Product Innovations, Salisbury Research Facility, Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries; Austral Plywood, Big River Group, Wesbeam.