In bushfire-prone regions, our instinct is often to clear the land — strip it bare to build a firebreak between nature and our homes. But what if the key to survival lies not in removing vegetation, but in planting it wisely?
This is the guiding principle behind the Green Fire Walls Project, launched in 2021 by the Lakes Entrance Community Landcare Group. Born from a community’s desire to do better by both people and landscape, the project has quickly gained national attention — and for good reason.
“People often think that clearing vegetation around their homes or farms will best protect them from fire,” explained project founder Angelique Stefanatos.
“But in fact, open grasslands are far more susceptible to carrying fast, intense, and erratic fires, which can pulse up to 60 kilometres per hour in windy conditions.”
According to Angelique, rather than leaving land exposed, strategic planting can offer a living buffer, defending both human life and property.
What began as a grassroots initiative in Lakes Entrance has now grown into a cross-border effort: the Fire Wise Project, active in 14 communities across South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria. Backed by the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife and supported by Australian Government funding through the Preparing Australian Communities program, the project is changing the way we think about fire resilience.
At its heart, the Fire Wise Project is about empowering communities. It promotes native plant species with low flammability, coordinates local seed collection and revegetation efforts and provides fire-wise technical resources in accessible formats. Demonstration gardens and on-ground plantations have also been established to test and showcase these principles in action.
Dr Justin Leonard, CSIRO research leader in Bushfire Urban Design, is among the initiative’s supporters.
“The Fire Wise Project is an exceptional example of how to support and empower communities to become more bushfire resilient,” he says. “I believe this shift in mindset is at the heart of bushfire adaptation,” he said.
As Australia faces longer, more intense fire seasons, projects like these are not only innovative — they are essential. Green Fire Walls challenge outdated assumptions and offer a hopeful, practical path forward. In the face of a changing climate, planting wisely might just be one of the most radical acts of resilience.
This project made possible by the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife with funding from the Australian Government via the ‘Preparing Australian communities’ local stream.
