Practical solution to bushfires risk
The spectacular Wild Mountains Environmental Education Centre rests high on the Border Ranges, surrounded
by lush native forests with breathtaking views of Mount Lindesay and Mount Barney.
Located in an ‘ecotone’, where two different habitats meet, the 100ha (240-acre) property is home to sub-tropical rainforest, eucalypts and a diverse selection of wildlife.
If you ever wanted to fully immerse yourself in nature, this would be the ideal place to do it.
Co-Founder of Wild Mountains Richard Zoomers, above, said the centre was established to connect adults and children with the wonders of nature.
“We started in the mid-1980s offering education programs to deepen people’s understanding of how nature works so they can live their life in a way that reduces their impact on the planet,” Mr Zoomers said.
Teaching students how the natural world works is a key part of the programs on offer at Wild Mountains and amidst a changing climate, these lessons have never been more important.
In 2019, a bushfire came within 12km of Wild Mountains prompting volunteers to rake away shrubbery to reduce the potential impact on the centre.
Mr Zoomers said while the centre escaped unharmed, the threat underscored a need for greater preparedness.
“Thanks to a $50,000 RACQ Foundation grant, we have installed a fire sprinkler system to help mitigate ember attacks from bushfires,” he said.
“The system runs for eight hours, which means we can evacuate in an emergency knowing the area around our property will be damp enough to prevent fire from impacting our timber buildings.”
In October 2023, RACQ Foundation introduced resilience grants for community clubs, charities and First Nations councils to help them mitigate damage from natural disasters.
To learn more about RACQ’s community initiatives, visit racq.com.au/about-us/ community.
The sprinkler system designed to reduce the threat of bushfire at the Wild Mountains facility.
More articles
Related topics
Things to note
The information in this article has been prepared for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal advice or specific advice to any particular person. Any advice contained in the document is general advice, not intended as legal advice or professional advice and does not take into account any person’s particular circumstances. Before acting on anything based on this advice you should consider its appropriateness to you, having regard to your objectives and needs.
Insurance products (excluding Travel Insurance) are issued by RACQ Insurance Limited ABN 50 009 704 152 (RACQ). Conditions, limits and exclusions apply. This is general advice only and may not be right for you. This information does not take your personal objectives, circumstances or needs into account. Read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and any applicable Supplementary PDS before making a purchase decision on this product. You can also access our Target Market Determinations on this website.
Banking and loan products issued by Members Banking Group Limited ABN 83 087 651 054 AFSL/Australian credit licence 241195 trading as RACQ Bank. Terms, conditions, fees, charges and lending policies apply. This is general advice only and may not be right for you. This information does not take your personal objectives, circumstances or needs into account. Read the disclosure documents for your selected product or service, including the Financial Services Guide and the Terms and Conditions, and consider if appropriate for you before deciding.
Except for RACQ Bank, any RACQ entity referred to on this page is not an authorised deposit-taking institution for the purposes of the Banking Act 1959 (Cth). That entity’s obligations do not represent deposits or other liabilities of RACQ Bank. RACQ Bank does not guarantee or otherwise provide assurance in respect of the obligations of that entity, unless noted otherwise.
RACQ Bank subscribes to the Customer Owned Banking Code of Practice which establishes higher standards than the law requires. The Code reflects modern consumer expectations and developments in approaches to issues such as consumer vulnerability, guarantors, and supporting customers through financial hardship. Please read our Customer Owned Banking Code of Practice page for more information.
RACQ Operations Pty Ltd (ABN 80 009 663 414 AR 000234978) and Members Travel Group Pty Ltd (ABN 45 144 538 803 AR 000432492) are acting as an Authorised Representative of the issuer of the insurance, Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd. (ABN 80 000 438 291 AFSL 246 548). Any advice set out above is general in nature only, and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before purchasing any travel products, please consider the RACQ Travel Insurance Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and the Target Market Determinations (TMDs) that apply to these products. Whilst the PDS outlines the Terms and Conditions of these products, the TMDs outline the intended class of customers that comprise the target market for these travel products. This will allow you to consider which products best suit your objectives, financial situation and needs and consider the products appropriateness to your personal circumstances. TMDs also outline matters involving the distribution and the review of these products. The PDS, Supplementary PDS and TMDs for each travel product can be found here.