$6.3 million in grants will be awarded to support land management and cultural burning throughout Victoria.
Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio today opened the first round of the Cultural Fire Grants.
“We’re empowering Traditional Owners to deliver cultural burning and share their knowledge of land management and Country, a vital part of Victoria’s nation-leading path to Aboriginal self-determination,” she said.
“Cultural burning promotes revegetation, improves production of food and game, and maintains spiritual connection with Country while also keeping the Victorian community safe.”
Traditional Owners undertake cultural burning for reasons associated with caring for Country like promoting revegetation, producing food and maintain a connection to the land.
There are two streams within the grants program, with large grants of above $200,000 and smaller grants up to $200,000, with applications open until 22 April.
The program supports two-way learning and partnership between Traditional Owners and state emergency services.
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Gabrielle Williams said “our First Peoples have been undertaking cultural burning to manage Country for centuries.”
“An important step in self-determination is ensuring this vital traditional practice continues, led by Traditional Owners.” she said.
The most recent state budget allocated $22.5 over four years to Traditional Owner cultural land and fire management practices.
For more information visit www.environment.vic.gov.au/grants/cultural-fire-grants
