Toowoomba-led plan to convert bushfire fuel load into soil

AN INNOVATIVE plan to convert bushfire fuel loads into a high quality soil product is taking root in Toowoomba.

AN INNOVATIVE plan to convert bushfire fuel loads into a high quality soil product, all while providing training and employment to people, is taking root in Toowoomba.

Led by Ag Training and delivered in partnership with local business Earthlife, the Recalibrate program, as it is known, is currently in talks with the Bigambul Native Title Aboriginal Corporation to set up a pilot site.

Recalibrate CEO Jason Leslie said the project was currently in its infancy and was in the process of setting up a new entity to deliver the program.

But he said it was at the point where Ag Training was "confident in the product, and confident of the benefits it can bring to training, employment, the environment, and the economy."

Mr Leslie said that because of the sheer scale of bushfire management, the Recalibrate program would not be a total solution - but it was one that would create benefits.

"We've created a technology that turns (bushfire fuel) into a higher quality soil than your typical agricultural soil," he said.

Recalibrate CEO Jason Leslie with some of the innovative new material made from cleared vegetation recycled into a high quality soil product made under the umbrella of AG Training, Tuesday, August 4, 2020. Picture: Kevin Farmer

"We had it tested by the University of Queensland.

"They advised it had a higher water retention rate and higher mineral quality than normal agricultural soil."

Under the program, Ag Training will bring teams of trainees into an area and clear bushfire fuel loads by hand, before turning it into the soil product on-site.

"Our starting point was always training and employment, and we can get some environmental and economic outcomes by doing it as well," Mr Leslie said.

By working with farmers Ag Training hopes to be able to transition its trainees involved in the program into employment.

Ag Training's Matt Strahorn said his organisation had begun discussions with all tiers of government over the plan and was looking forward to "productive outcomes".

Earthlife is a Toowoomba-based manufacturer of a range of microbial rock mineral based soil conditioners for gardening, as well as horticultural and agricultural purposes.

Recalibrate CEO Jason Leslie with some of the innovative new material made from cleared vegetation recycled into a high quality soil product made under the umbrella of AG Training, Tuesday, August 4, 2020. Picture: Kevin Farmer

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