Australian Alps
The Australian Alpine environment bushfire region covers over 13 million hectares across the Australian Capital Territory and parts of New South Wales and Victoria.
The Traditional Owners of the Alpine country include the Ngunnawal, Monaro Ngarigo, Wiradjuri, Wolgalu, GunaiKurnai, Bidawal, Dudhuroa, Jaithmathang, Mitambuta, Ngarigu-Currawong, Taungurung, Waywurru and Wurundjeri.
Impacts of the 2019–20 bushfires
More than 573,000 hectares of the Alpine region was burnt with 60 per cent of that at a high to very high severity.
This map shows the extent and severity of the 2019–20 bushfires in the forests and coastal ecosystems of the Australian Alpine region.
This map shows the extent and severity of the 2019–20 bushfires in the forests and coastal ecosystems of the Australian Alpine region.
Important environmental values impacted by the bushfires that have been recommended for urgent management intervention in the region include:
- two natural assets: Australian Alps National Parks and Reserves National Heritage Place, and Ginini Flats Wetland Complex Ramsar Site.
- three Threatened Ecological Communities, including Alpine Sphagnum Bogs and Associated Fens.
- 58 animal species including the Mountain Pygmy-possum, Alpine She-oak Skink, Northern and Southern Corroboree Frogs, Spotted Tree Frog, Alpine Silver Xenica Butterly, Yarrangobilly Pinwheel Snail, and the Alpine Crayfish.
- 31 plant species including Brumby Sallee, Pine Mountain Grevillea and Bago Leek-orchid.
 Photo: Alamy |
 Photo: Steve Wilson |
 Photo: Victoria Museums CC BY-NC 2.0 |
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The Mountain Pygmy Possum is a tiny endangered marsupial found in only three isolated areas. The Alpine region makes up 71 per cent of its range, of this 20 per cent was burnt, almost all at a high to very high severity. |
The critically endangered Southern Corroboree Frog grows up to 3 cm long and produces its own poison which is secreted through the skin. The Alpine region is home to 86 per cent of its range, of which 29 per cent was burnt. |
The endangered Alpine Crayfish is facing habitat destruction from feral pests. It has 75 per cent of its range within the region, of which 28 per cent burnt. |
Australian Government bushfire recovery funding in the region
As part of the Australian Government’s initial $50 million investment in bushfire recovery for wildlife and habitats, $3.2 million has been directly invested in the Alpine region. This includes:
- $1,050,000 to the regional NRM organisations for recovery actions including pest animal control, weed control and habitat restoration:
- $100,000 to ACT NRM
- $350,000 to Murray Local Land Services
- $100,000 to Riverina Local Land Services
- $500,000 to North East Catchment Management Authority
- $1,060,000 to the NSW Government for work on threatened species within this region, including the Mountain Pygmy Possum, Southern Corroboree Frog and Smoky Mouse.
- $495,000 to Taronga Zoo to undertake a breeding program for the Northern Corroboree Frog.
- $98,880 to Zoos Victoria for a Spotted Tree Frog conservation breeding program and wild population monitoring and habitat supplementation for the Alpine She-oak Skink.
- $500,000 to the ACT Government for remedial works around bogs and fens, predator management, catchment stabilisation, and improving habitat for the Broad-toothed Rat.
Additional funding includes:
- $4 million in grant projects which have some activity occurring in the region.
- $3 million to the Victorian Government to assist with post-fire recovery of species across the state including in the Alpine region.
Next steps
Through the bushfire Regional Fund the Australian Government is investing $110 million to provide strategic on-ground support for the most impacted native species, ecological communities and natural assets across seven bushfire affected regions.
$8 million will be directly invested into this region, guided by a co-design workshop which was held with stakeholders from the Alpine environment on 23 September 2020. The aim of the workshop was to engage and collaborate with stakeholders to identify regional investment priorities for post-fire recovery of species and natural assets. The workshop report is available below.
Australian alpine environment - Regional Bushfire Recovery Workshop Report (PDF - 3.57 MB)
Australian alpine environment - Regional Bushfire Recovery Workshop Report (DOCX - 14.22 MB)
Investment decisions will be guided by the workshop outcomes and will include careful consideration of community capacity, existing recovery efforts and value for money. Funding will primarily be provided through existing arrangements, for example with NRM regions and/or state governments. This will include formal and informal partnerships with other organisations and community groups where this will enhance recovery outcomes.