The University of Tasmania’s Fire Centre has been awarded the prestigious Resilient Australia National Collaboration and Partnership Award, recognising its work in bushfire resilience and its collaborative approach when addressing one of Australia’s most significant natural hazards.
The award celebrates projects that exemplify the power of partnership across sectors, states, and territories, with the Fire Centre standing out for its innovative use of science and community engagement to reduce bushfire risk.
Established in 2018 by Professor David Bowman and managed by Meagan Porter, the Fire Centre integrates expertise from the biophysical sciences and the humanities to develop holistic solutions to bushfire challenges.
Its collaborative network spans local councils, fire management agencies, Aboriginal communities sharing traditional knowledge, and leading fire scientists, creating a rich ecosystem of expertise to tackle bushfire resilience.
“This award highlights the importance of uniting diverse knowledge and resources to build bushfire resilience,” Professor Bowman said.
“The Fire Centre is dedicated to ensuring Australian communities are prepared to live sustainably and safely with our flammable landscapes.”
The Centre’s achievements include the development of FireTools, a cutting-edge software package by Dr Grant Williamson that underpins prescribed burning and reserve management planning across New South Wales.
This work contributed to the NSW Bushfire Hub receiving the Eureka Prize for applied research excellence.
The Fire Centre’s success in attracting significant funding has further cemented its reputation as a leader in bushfire research.
Notable past grants include a $3.4 million Australian Research Council Laureate Fellowship awarded to Professor Bowman to explore sustainable adaptation pathways and over $1 million from the University of Tasmania to establish FireLab3.
This state-of-the-art laboratory will enable groundbreaking studies in plant flammability, smoke exposure, and innovative methods to reduce wildfire fuel loads using bioenergy and biochar.
Committed to public education, the Fire Centre also offers accessible resources such as the Living with Fire and Bushfire online courses, equipping communities with practical knowledge to adapt to fire-prone environments.
The Resilient Australia National Collaboration and Partnership Award underscores the Fire Centre’s success in translating science into actionable outcomes, fostering resilience through knowledge sharing, and building partnerships to address the escalating challenges of bushfires in Australia.
For more information on the Fire Centre, visit their website.