Suncorp Group has expanded its focus on disaster resilience by supporting the reintroduction of First Nations land management practices, including cultural burning, through a partnership with Firesticks Alliance.
The initiative aligns with the insurer’s broader efforts to collaborate with governments, industry, and communities to mitigate natural disaster risks in Australia.
Cultural burning, sometimes referred to as cool burning or hazard reduction burning, is an Indigenous practice that involves lighting controlled, low-intensity fires under specific seasonal conditions. This method helps clear excess vegetation, lower fire hazards, and support ecosystem regeneration.
Firesticks Alliance, a not-for-profit organisation, is working to revive this practice and integrate it into contemporary land management strategies. The organisation trains and certifies cultural fire practitioners and collaborates with Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities to promote sustainable land care techniques.
Victor Steffensen (pictured), a Tagalaka man and co-founder of Firesticks Alliance, said cultural burning plays an essential role in preserving biodiversity and preventing severe bushfires.
“Since regular cultural fires have stopped, we've seen a big decline in native flora and fauna, an increase in invasive species, and a devastating threat to human life and property,” he said.
He added that recent case studies highlighting the effectiveness of cultural burning have helped build awareness and support for the practice.
The partnership with Firesticks is part of Suncorp’s wider resilience strategy, which aims to strengthen communities against natural disasters through research, advocacy, and investment in mitigation efforts.
In collaboration with Natural Hazards Research Australia (NHRA), Suncorp recently released “Nature Positive Solutions for Disaster Risk Reduction,” a discussion paper exploring how nature-based infrastructure can contribute to disaster resilience. The report included case studies on cultural burning and its impact on reducing fuel loads and protecting ecosystems.
Lisa Harrison, Suncorp’s chief executive consumer insurance, said partnerships are essential for advancing disaster resilience initiatives.
“Exploring nature-positive disaster risk reduction solutions require partnerships between government, business, not-for-profits, science, and the community,” she said.
Suncorp’s support for Firesticks began in 2021 with an initiative to develop a certification framework for cultural burning practitioners. The insurer is now contributing to “Living Knowledge Place,” an online platform designed to provide educational resources on Indigenous land management practices.
Steffensen emphasised the importance of educating younger generations on traditional land care methods.
“We have the other important pieces: the case studies on country, creating the jobs, and the training, but having the kids get access to education – that’s the probably most important because the task of healing our planet is going to be intergenerational,” he said.
Suncorp’s engagement with Firesticks is part of its broader reconciliation efforts. In August 2024, the insurer launched its second “Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan,” which includes commitments to strengthen partnerships with Indigenous businesses and support financial and climate resilience initiatives in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
