Disaster Averted? How green firebreaks could shield Hobart

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University of Tasmania

Could so-called green firebreaks - strips of low flammability plant-life - protect Hobart from a bushfire disaster? Dr Tim Curran, Senior Lecturer in Ecology at Lincoln University in New Zealand, is a world authority on green firebreaks and is leading a global review of their effectiveness. He and his research group have been measuring shoot flammability on a wide range of plants to identify appropriate species to be used in green firebreaks.
Dr Curran will be joined by a panel including:
<UL>
<LI>Justin Leonard, Research Leader of Bushfire Urban Design, CSIRO. Mr Leonard is the Australian authority on bushfire risk and infrastructure.</LI>
<LI>Jane Cawson, Fire Behaviour and Management Specialist, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, University of Melbourne. Dr Cawson researches fire management in wet eucalyptus forests, including planned burning and green firebreaks.</LI>
<LI>John Fisher, Program Leader of the Fire and Biodiversity Bushland and Reserves Unit, Hobart City Council. Mr Fisher's national expertise in fire management has been gained through working in NSW, the ACT and Tasmania.</LI>
<LI>Jamey Furlaud, PhD student, School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania. Mr Furlaud is currently undertaking a PhD project into the intersection of climate and flammability of wet eucalyptus forests.</LI>
</UL>
Facilitated by Professor David Bowman, Director, Fire Centre Research Hub.
Refreshments from 5.30pm.

Sir Stanley Burbury Theatre

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