Planning & Planting for Fire

This summer has shown vividly that the threat of bushfire is ever present in our part of the world. There is an ever-growing awareness of the need to undertake plantings that are likely to restrict the spread of fire around our homes and other buildings. Friends’ members will have an excellent opportunity to gain further insight in this area at this presentation.

CFA vegetation manager Owen Gooding says there are fantastic design opportunities in establishing ‘fire-smart gardens’. ‘They can be really beautiful and that runs counter to what people might think, which is “little vegetation, maybe lots of concrete”’, he says.

Landscaping for Bushfire Guide, a 64-page text was launched in December 2011 and was highlighted at the 2012 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. This publication looks at how plant arrangement and selection can reduce the bushfire risk to any house. Owen was the Contributing Editor of this ground-breaking publication.

John Rayner, a senior lecturer in urban horticulture at the University of Melbourne and a contributor to the CFA's guide, says personal aesthetics and preferences are an important aspect of designing for bushfire, and these need to be balanced with fire ecology.

Owen Gooding will present this program at the Australian Garden. It will start with a lecture and be followed by an on-site inspection and discussion of plantings in the Australian Garden with their relevance to bushfire risk. Morning refreshments will be available from 9.30am. At 10.00am we will start the workshop sessions.

When:
Sunday 21 April
9.30am-12.30pm

Where:
Australian Garden Auditorium
Australian Garden Visitor Centre RBGC

Cost:
$15 members $20 non-members

Bookings/enquiries:
For further information contact Rodger Elliot on 9879 1427. Bookings open Monday 4 March.