NSW Bushfire Risk Management Research Hub evaluation
Client: NSW Department of Planning and Environment
01/06/2022
The NSW Department of Planning and Environment engaged ACIL Allen to conduct an evaluation of NSW Bushfire Risk Management Research Hub. The Hub was collaborative research approach comprised of researchers, fire agencies, public land managers and Indigenous knowledge holders. From 2018-2022 the Hub delivered 6 research work packages related to mapping of fire regimes, fuel and carbon dynamics, air quality, fire and threatened species, Indigenous cultural burning and optimising cost-effective bushfire risk mitigation via planned burning.
The evaluation found that the Hub contributed evidence for the NSW Bushfire Inquiry, developed public news and research papers, impacted burning strategies, contributed to cultural burning research and leveraged $16.69 million in funding. The Hub strengthened partnerships between fire researchers and fire management, achieved a critical mass of bushfire research, and built a legacy of continued activities, tools and impacts.
All recommendations to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of future initiatives have been accepted by the Department. The evaluation will inform the next 5-year research program as part of the NSW Bushfire and Natural Hazards Research Centre.