The devastating effect of natural disasters

Throughout the 2019 and 2020 Australian bushfire seasons, more than 18.6 million hectares of land burned, killing at least 37 people and millions of animals while destroying over 5,900 buildings, including over 2,800 homes. Nine hundred million tons of carbon dioxide was released into the atmosphere, equivalent to nearly double the country’s total yearly fossil fuel emissions.

Environmental disasters are becoming more intense each year. Given that the lives of people, animals and even plants are interconnected, recovery can be long and arduous. The Priceless Planet Coalition is seeking ways to prevent or reduce the risk and, should disasters happen, create the path to ensure we all can recover faster and better.

Greening Australia is partnering with Conservation International and Minderoo Foundation to assist and revitalize communities affected by the bushfires and to restore the damaged landscapes while developing a long-term blueprint for addressing wildfire and disaster resilience.

Nature of the terrain

New South Wales

The Southern Tablelands is a geographic area characterized by high, flat country. Its forest structure consists of open eucalyptus forest 20 to 35 meters tall, with variable density of shrubs and a diverse, relatively continuous herbaceous-grassy ground cover. The area of native forests in the Riverina region consists mainly of Eucalypt Medium Open, Eucalypt Medium Woodland and Eucalypt Mallee Woodland. Western Sydney is largely made up of low rolling hills and wide valleys, with indigenous woodlands comprised of open tree canopies, grassy ground cover and layers of shrubs and small trees.

Victoria

The Central Otway is situated on the Otway Plain. River systems within this area are a high priority due to the many ecological values and the vital urban water supply. Gippsland is a landscape that grows some of the tallest trees in the world. The ranges are deeply dissected with moderate to steep slopes and numerous gullies and creeks. It forms the headwaters of the many rivers that run to the inlets, bays and estuaries on the southern Victorian coastline and provides critical habitat for the nationally threatened Greater Glider.

South Australia

The Coorong is located at the end of the Murray River in South Australia, in the area known as the Limestone Coast. The system includes coastal dune sands and lagoonal sediments near shallow waters and lagoon corridors. The area can be subject to wind erosion and low fertility, with saline swamps in the area. The location has significant conservation value providing habitat and/or habitat connectivity for local species which are threatened or in decline in South Australia’s southeast region.