TAUNGURUNG Land and Waters Council will receive funding to support cultural burning practices on Country as part of the ongoing commitment towards Aboriginal self–determination.
The council is one of four North East traditional owner groups to receive a cultural fire grant from the state government.
Taungurung Land and Waters Council Chief Executive Officer, Matt Burns, said fire burning practices had been passed down from their ancestors to "ensure that Country is always healthy".
"This grant enables the Taungurung people to lead in the healing and caring for biik [Country] in ways that haven't been possible since the onset of colonization," he explained.
"It's important for the livelihoods of all Victorians that the right fire is applied to biik again."
The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) is investing $22.5 million over four years to support Traditional Owner–led cultural land and fire management practices.
Forest Fire Management Victoria Hume Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Jarrod Hayse, said the grants will allow traditional owners to "take the lead in cultural burning on Country" and "reduce bushfire risk".
"The grants will strengthen existing partnerships with Traditional Owner groups, as we support them to plan, implement, and monitor burning projects," he said.
