Bushfires 2019-2020
The 2019-2020 bushfires were devastating. Not only did they burn forests, farms, buildings to the greatest extent ever recounted, but they also took the life of 34 people and more than a billion animals (CDP, 2020). In Queensland specifically, more than half of the Gondwana world heritage rainforests were burned, including the iconic Binna Burra Lodge.
Our multidisciplinary research project is contributing to bushfire recovery and resilience and is jointly funded under the Commonwealth/State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements 2020.
This project acknowledges the people who are the Traditional Custodians of the Land and pays respect to the Elders, past and present, and extends that respect to other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
THE PROJECT
The project aims to build community resilience to disasters by gathering and sharing first-hand experiences of the community responses to the 2019-2020 bushfires that impacted natural heritage sites. Storytelling pavilions will be built on two impacted sites to collect and share memories, increasing awareness, fostering discussion and building collective learning.
THE FINAL REPORT
The final report, entitled: "Fire memories: gathering stories about the fire impacts and responses to build resilience" was published in November 2021. We thank all participants for their personal stories.
Bushfire stories
Bushfire affected communities shared their stories with us. Get a glimpse into their personal experiences.
OUTCOMES
This section presents any media release, events and publications related to our project.
The Bushfire Pavilion
The Bushfire Pavilion is part of a research project between Binna Burra and Griffith University. It’s a place for reflection and a space to share stories about how the community emerged from the disaster. We hope it becomes a hub for the community to reflect about the impact of natural disasters and consider how we can become more resilient.
THE TEAM and PARTNERS
The Griffith University multidisciplinary team is composed of experts in sustainable tourism, design and environment. Binna Burra Lodge, Mount Barney Lodge and Scenic Rim Regional Council are our partners for this project, funded by the Commonwealth/State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements 2020.
Professor Karine Dupre
Tourism and cities, placemaking, design solving, sustainability and resilience, experience and heritage.
Dr Margarida Abreu Novais
Destination competitiveness, event management and experiential learning.
Professor Sarah Gardiner
Destination marketing and development, tourism, economic and event development strategies, consumer behaviour and market analysis.
Dr Guy Castley
He is principally a terrestrial ecologist with a comprehensive understanding of a variety of ecosystems with more than 25 year’s experience.
Associate Professor Jim Smart
Environmental economics, valuation of environmental assets and recreational benefits, consumer and traveller preferences.
We would like to acknowledge the research assistance provided by Dr Sera Vada, Miss Sasha Wales, Mr Sahel Dupre-Virtamo, Mr Julien Bonneau-Figuereo and all the persons who are assisting us in this project.
Engineering and Construction Team Members: A/Prof Benoit Gilbert, Dr Ian Underhill, James Webster, Chuen Yiu Lo, Juergen Zier, Josh Jardine.
Timber collaborations: Forest Product Innovations, Salisbury Research Facility, Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries; Austral Plywood, Big River Group, Wesbeam.