SURVIVAL GUIDE : BURNING SEED 2011

You are responsible for your own safety, survival and comfort. Read this survival guide and make sure everyone in your group reads it as well.

compass3The Ten Fundamentals

1. Self Reliance

Every participant must bring all they need to survive for 5 days in an area that can be prone to hot, warm, cool, dry, wet and with occasional windy days at this time of year. This means enough water, food, adequate shelter, tickets and clothing. Everyone in your vehicle must meet these conditions of entry or you may be refused entry.

2. Leave No Trace

No rubbish receptacles are provided at Burning Seed. This will challenge newer participants, who have never encountered a fundamental requirement to clean up as you go. Many gatherings that consciously or unconsciously promote passive consumerist practices provide rubbish receptacles and someone else takes YOUR rubbish away. We hope our approach is more responsible and sustainable, where every participant is required to 'Leave No Trace' and be proactive in this. So, contribute wisely to our Burn's long-term survival: 'Pack It In' and 'Pack It Out'. Please take everything you bring, and are given, back home with you. Do not empty rubbish or put anything other than human waste in the toilets. You are responsible for the condition of your campsite and nearby public areas. Clean up as you go! Do not deposit rubbish in neighbouring towns on your way home.

3. Commerce

You cannot buy or sell anything at Burning Seed. Ours is a place of sharing and free exchange where the value of a gift is unconditional. Gifting does not contemplate a return or an exchange for something of equal value. The only exception to this is the sale of ice, which is explained further in the Ice section of this Survival Guide.

4. Respect public boundaries

Burning Seed will establish a boundary around the site. No camping is allowed outside this area. Please do not enter neighbouring properties.

5. Fire Safe

Burn area safety is essential. There is a general fire ban in place, which means that there are to be no fires other than at a Ceremonial 'Welcome to Country' at sunset on Friday and the main burn on Saturday, except when there is a Total Fire Ban, where there will be absolutely NO fires in ALL areas.

The burning of the Man, will occur about an hour after Sunset on Saturday night, after the day starts to cool off and daytime winds generally settle.

  • Open Fires in Campsites are not permitted.
  • Gas cookers are OK and encouraged, unless there is a Total Fire Ban.
  • Fire spinning is OK in the fire spinning area, unless there is a Total Fire Ban.
  • All structures must be 10 metres (33 feet) from the outer perimeter of the Man burn area.
  • Aerial flares, rockets, explosives, and fireworks are prohibited.
  • Straw or hay bales are not allowed.
  • Artwork must be respected and will not be permitted to be burned this year, however there may be a few installations which incorporate gas fires. 

People with children should take care to educate their kids about fire safety and be extra vigilant around the permitted bare earth fire area.

6. Environment & sustainability

Consideration of our temporary home is vital to the ongoing possibility of housing this event, wherever it may be. We do this by community effort through respectful use of the site during the burn, conscientious active clean up at the end of the event, and the ongoing creation of a sustainable event.

In preparation for the relocation of our community, in the years to come, to a more remote and inhospitable location, we will be implementing leave no trace and radical self reliance standards that will allow us to meet that challenge as a community in the future.

7. Sound

Anyone wishing to incorporate amplified sound as part of their camp or installation must liaise with the themecamps (at) burningmanaustralia (dot) com co-ordinator. A designated loud zone for larger Sound Art is located in the plaza of the village. Please be conscious of others when planning your sound system. If you are annoying people, we will have to work things out. If a problem with sound levels continues after sufficient warning, the device or system will be disabled.

8. Cars

No cruising! Our village is designed for pedestrians. No cars, motorcycles, golf carts or go-carts are allowed to be driven in the village or the surrounding area, except for registered art cars and safety vehicles. Art cars must be pre-registered through arts (at) burningmanaustralia (dot) com and are subject to a 5kmph speed limit.

9. Community Behavior

Burning Seed requires that all participants act responsibly and in a way that causes no adverse affect to other participants or the physical environment. Civic responsibility is one of our 10 Principles.

10. Tickets & Entry

You are required to produce a ticket to enter Burning Seed. Tickets may be purchased beforehand online and at selected ticket outlets, with a limited number available for sale at the Gate. General Tickets purchased online must be printed out by the purchaser, in the form of a Bar Coded Ticket, before attending the burn. Kids aged 17 and over are required to have a General Ticket for entry. Kids aged 16 and under may be admitted entry with a Kid's Ticket, which is purchased at our admission Gate for a token amount of $5. Please note these important requirements:

  • Kids under the age of 18 must be accompanied to the burn by a ticket holding parent or legal guardian.

  • Kids under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a ticket-holding parent or legal guardian at all times.

  • Violation of our community’s basic rules as expressed here, or any violent antisocial behavior, can result in revocation of your ticket and ejection from Burning Seed without refund.

Our admission Gate will be open from midday Wednesday Nov 9th to Midday Mon  Nov 14th.

 

Upon arrival at our village your Tickets will be processed by our Gate Staff, after which you will then move on, where you will be met by Burning Seed greeters, who will be checking for the following:

  • That your tickets have been processed.

  • That you have enough water and food.

  • That you don’t have any prohibited items (What’s prohibited? Pets, fire arms, air rifles, paint ball guns, flares, fireworks, etc)

Everyone in your vehicle must meet these conditions of entry.

 

 

Participants at Burning Seed must bring all necessities with them: food, shelter, water and basic first aid supplies. As you read these guidelines for responsible behaviour, please keep in mind that you are responsible for yourself at all times, in every regard, as you approach, once you enter and as you leave. Above and beyond the provision for individual survival, everyone is requested to help ensure our collective survival by following very basic rules relating to public safety and community well being. Everyone is expected to abide by these standards. Community membership is a privilege. Violation of these requirements could result in ejection from the community.

Index

1. Radical self-reliance – what do I bring?

2. Health and Safety

3. Security

4. Culture – what is a Burning Man event?

5. Community – when to arrive, where to find things, burn etiquette

6. Volunteers – who does what?

7. Environment and Sustainability.

8. How Do I Get There?

 


1. Radical Self Reliance

Your survival depends on your reading and following these lists:

What You Must Bring:

  • Your ticket and photo ID. You will not be allowed to enter without your ticket & personal ID. No exceptions.
  • 6 litres of water per person per day (for drinking, showering, washing, and food preparation).
  • Enough food and beverages for yourself and any dependents.
  • Rainproof clothing and shelter. Extra changes of dry clothes in waterproof storage. Be prepared for rain.
  • Warm clothing, warm jacket, warm hats and scarves for the cold nights – it can get cold early winter.
  • Bedding and shelter of some type. A good camp tent is recommended along with warm sleeping bags.
  • Rubbish bags, crates or boxes prepacked with goods you are taking in are useful for packing out when it’s time to go.
  • Torches and spare batteries (headlamps are useful) to be sure you can see and be seen at night. Glowsticks, EL wire and LEDs are good for making yourself visible and an opportunity to be creative at night!
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat, as days can be warm and the midday sun still strong enough to burn.
  • Insect repellent. There may be mozzies and/or ticks present. Tea tree oil and tweezers are handy for ticks.
  • First aid kit.
  • Any required prescriptions, contact lens supplies, 1 ply toilet paper and whatever else you need to maintain your personal health, hygiene and comfort.

We Strongly Suggest You Bring:

  • Shade, wind and rain structures.
  • A raincoat and/or umbrella.
  • A cooking stove if you expect to heat food or liquid.
  • An esky to keep food and drinks cold.
  • Earplugs! (Not everyone is going to want to sleep when you do).
  • Watertight protective bags for clothing, cameras or electronic gear.
  • Lotion/lip balm to treat cracked skin.
  • Smokers: portable ashtrays (e.g. mint tin that doesn’t leak ashes, or film canister).
  • Costumes, musical instruments, props, banners, signs, and anything else you can think of that might make the experience more fun for you and your neighbours.
  • Camp marker (flag, flasher, distinctive marking - be creative).
  • Plastic bottles or tennis balls to top tent pegs.
  • Extra set of car keys (keys are easily lost!).

Helpful Things to Bring:

  • Sewing kit
  • Rope and/or string
  • Ribbons, colored material, etc., to mark tent ropes/guy lines
  • Handy wipes
  • Gaffe tape
  • Gifts to give to new friends

Things NOT to Bring:

  • Glass containers of any kind if at all avoidable
  • Feathers of any kind e.g., boas (They shed, no matter what you do – try marabou instead)
  • Excess packaging from foods (For example, remove outer box from cereals and just bring inner bag)
  • Loose glitter
  • Nuts in their shells
  • Anything that will break up and make a mess
  • Styrofoam eskies (they don’t hold up and will break into a million bits)
  • Explosives, aerial flares, firearms of any kind – air rifles, paint ball guns etc.
  • Dogs or other pets

 


2. Health and Safety

Emergency Medical Services

If you or someone you know (or encounter) requires medical assistance, find a Burning Seed volunteer or Ranger, or visit our First Aid Team at Centre Camp. Trained medical volunteers are on duty 24 hours a day (MRT - Medical Response Team), and emergency evacuation is available.

The team carries limited emergency drugs only. We are happy to provide advice on managing any medical/first aid matter.

Ambulance cover: If you don’t have a concession card or health insurance (check you are covered out of your home state) we would suggest obtaining ambulance membership (for the state you live in) as the costs of these services can be substantial especially in a rural setting, or if you require repatriation to your home state and will be the responsibility of the individual, should the need arise.

Burns:  Please commence first aid by cooling and call the MRT immediately for all except small superficial burns.

First aid management for burns is to cool with clean water for 10-15 minutes then cover with wet dressing/towel until MRT arrives.

Put nothing but clean water on a burn,  NO ice NO ointments NO fats/oils!

First Aid

In keeping with the burning man principles Basic first aid is everyone’s responsibility. Help yourself if you can and help others if they can’t. Know your own limitations seek help early!

Here is a list of some of the basic things everyone should have on hand in their First Aid kit. Should an injury be serious or require more advanced care, the First Aid crew at Centre Camp are there to help. Otherwise, the list below (packaged in an airtight container, Ziploc etc) should see you through most minor injuries:

  • Panadol/Neurofen
  • Bandaids (packet of various size/shape)
  • Crepe bandages 15cm x2
  • Absorbent dressing x2 (sanitary pads work well for this)
  • Triangular bandage x2
  • Tape Micropore/Transpore 2.5cm
  • Sunscreen/ Insect repellent
  • Savlon ointment (or similar) or
  • Alovera or Paw Paw ointment
  • Savlon/Detol or similar (small bottle)
  • Fine tweezers & small scissors
  • Safety pins
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Silicone or Latex gloves
  • Sanitary products
  • Condoms/Lubricant
  • Antihistamine if you react to insect bites/dust/smoke etc
  • All of your own regular medications/inhalers

Common minor medical problems that you might need to manage yourself:

  • Insect bites and sun/wind burn, chapped lips
  • Cuts, scratches, prickles
  • Sprains and strains
  • Small superficial burns
  • Allergic reactions
  • Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea
  • UTI’s, Thrush
  • Menstrual pain, headaches, hangovers

Bring your own regular medications!

Bring all your own medications and basic first aid supplies. If you take regular medications bring more than enough for the festival, if you use an inhaler bring a spare! Yes we can treat an asthma attack, no we won’t be able to provide you with a new puffer if you run out.

Be aware that the nearest chemist is a substantial drive and will likely be closed for much of the festival.

Insects

There may be small amount of mosquitoes, spiders and other insects present on the site. However, there wont be a prevalence of ticks, which were experienced last year, in the 'sub tropical' coastal region, where the burn was held. This year's site is inland of the Great Dividing Range, with a different dryer inland climate. Preparation, knowledge and a few simple items can help deal with any mosquitoes, spiders and other insects. Standard repellent should be applied to exposed or accessible areas including waist, neckline and ankles. Long sleeves and pant legs with cuffs tucked into socks (if need be) will be helpful.

General Health and Safety Tips:

A few tips for staying healthy while you attend Burning Seed:

Hand sanitizer: Use the hand sanitizer after using the loos. Apply it faithfully and liberally.

Food: Drink only bottled water or water that you know the origin of. Don’t drink the dam water. Do not share water bottles and canteens with other people. Keep the refrigerated food in your camp colder than 10 degrees at all time. Restock the ice frequently. If it becomes warm, bacteria will begin to grow and rapidly multiply and you will get sick as a result of eating it. Keep the food surfaces in your camp as clean as you can. Use biodegradable washing detergent. Wash your dishes in soapy water and rinse them in water. Dirty dishes can breed bacteria and make you ill. Be cautious about where you eat and drink. While sharing is a great part of the Burning Man experience, food sharing has inherent risks associated with it. Be very careful about eating food that you are offered if you are not sure that it has been prepared safely. If you exhibit symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, high fever, jaundice and malaise, you may be carrying a viral pathogen that is highly contagious to others. Seek medical attention immediately and do not prepare or handle food.

 


3. Security

In order to ensure our community is safe and our boundaries respected, there will be security personnel monitoring the gate and boundaries at Burning Seed 2011. For participants, this should not pose any problems. If you have any concerns with security, you can ask for assistance from the Rangers.

Alcohol – Serving alcohol to minors is a violation of the law. It is illegal in Australia to give alcoholic beverages to any person under the age of 18 in a public place. Although Burning Seed has some characteristics of a private event, please don’t forget that with respect to public safety laws, Burning Seed is considered public space. For example, if your theme camp has a “bar” open to participants where alcoholic drinks are gifted then it is considered a public space in the eyes of the law. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the person serving alcohol to ensure that everyone in the immediate vicinity is at least 18 years old.

Public and Private – Your right to privacy

Burning Seed is a state of mind, an extremely interactive environment. Many distinctions between what is private and what is public tend to soften and disappear. We do however remain subject to local and national laws.

Fuel Safety

All participants using combustible fuels in an art installation or storing fuel in camp must comply with fuel safety guidelines for storing and handling these materials. Guidelines can be found here.

 


4. Culture at Burning Seed

Burning Seed is a Burning Man regional event, based on the Ten Principles of Burning Man:

Radical Inclusion

Anyone may be a part of Burning Man. We welcome and respect the stranger. No prerequisites exist for participation in our community.

Gifting

Burning Man is devoted to acts of gift giving. The value of a gift is unconditional. Gifting does not contemplate a return or an exchange for something of equal value.

Decommodification

In order to preserve the spirit of gifting, our community seeks to create social environments that are unmediated by commercial sponsorships, transactions, or advertising. We stand ready to protect our culture from such exploitation. We resist the substitution of consumption for participatory experience.

Radical Self-reliance

Burning Man encourages the individual to discover, exercise and rely on his or her inner resources.

Radical Self-expression

Radical self-expression arises from the unique gifts of the individual. No one other than the individual or a collaborating group can determine its content. It is offered as a gift to others. In this spirit, the giver should respect the rights and liberties of the recipient.

Communal effort

Our community values creative cooperation and collaboration. We strive to produce, promote and protect social networks, public spaces, works of art, and methods of communication that support such interaction.

Civic responsibility

We value civil society. Community members who organize events should assume responsibility for public welfare and endeavor to communicate civic responsibilities to participants. They must also assume responsibility for conducting events in accordance with Australian laws.

Leaving No Trace

Our community respects the environment. We are committed to leaving no physical trace of our activities wherever we gather. We clean up after ourselves and endeavor, whenever possible, to leave such places in a better state than when we found them.

Participation

Our community is committed to a radically participatory ethic. We believe that transformative change, whether in the individual or in society, can occur only through the medium of deeply personal participation. We achieve being through doing. Everyone is invited to work. Everyone is invited to play. We make the world real through actions that open the heart.

Immediacy

Immediate experience is, in many ways, the most important touchstone of value in our culture. We seek to overcome barriers that stand between us and a recognition of our inner selves, the reality of those around us, participation in society, and contact with a natural world exceeding human powers. No idea can substitute for this experience.

 


5. Community

Burning Seed is an experiment in Temporary Community. Because many people only know a world shaped by institutions, service workers and commercial transactions, they may not even recognize the signs of a community. Here are a few indications:

Capacity

Communities are built on the recognition of the unique abilities of every member. Commerce and the public service sector define us on the basis of deficiency and need.

Collective effort

Community is cooperative - uniting us as varied members of one body. When, by contrast, we consume a service, we’re made passive. 50 million people may view a television program or consume a beverage in complete isolation from one another.

Informality

In the community, transactions of value take place without money, advertising, or hype. Care emerges in place of structured service.

Stories

In universities, people know through studies. In businesses and bureaucracies, people know by reports. In communities, people know by stories.

Celebration

Community activities incorporate celebration, parties and other social events. The line between work and play is blurred and the human nature of everyday life becomes part of the way you work. You will know that you are in a community if you often hear laughter and singing.

Children

We are a family friendly event. We encourage everyone to know where Kids Camp is located. If you are not a family friendly camp, please place yourself far away from it. If you are a family camp yourself, consider camping near Kids Camp.

If you are planning on bringing your kids, please go to Kids at Burning Seed for details on having a kid-safe burn. All children under 18 years of age must be accompanied, upon entry, by their parent or legal guardian. It is your responsibility to ensure the safety of your child at all times during the event. If you are interested in volunteering for Kids Camp or have any ideas to make the event more fun for kids please email volunteers  volunteers (at) burningmanaustralia (dot) com to get involved!!

 

If you encounter a lost child, alert a Ranger immediately. Always be respectful of children's personal space and their needs. They are a part of our community.


Early Arrivals

Burning Seed opens on midday Wednesday 9th Nov. PRE REGISTERED volunteers, theme camps, and art installations may arrive from Monday 7th Nov. You MUST have received permission to arrive early from the event staff. All others will be turned away. We are not ready to receive participants before the event begins because we haven’t finished building the infrastructure.

When arriving, be aware that you may be required to wait at the gate as others collect their tickets and are welcomed. Please be patient. If there is a queue you will be directed to a holding bay area. Pull your vehicle as far to the side of the road as possible to leave room for through traffic, and have patience.

In-and-Out Policy

Casual traffic in and out of Burning Seed is strongly discouraged. We ask that once you are at the Seed you remain for the duration to fully immerse yourself in the community and enhance the experience for all. Participants who leave and return by personal means will be required to pay a fee of $20 per person. It is suggested that if you absolutely must go to town, you group with others, make a list and send one person, thus minimising the cost to yourself.

Information and Lost and Found

Anything found on the ground should be turned in to the volunteers at Village Info at Centre Camp or the Greeters station.

MOOP! (Matter-Out-Of-Place)

Our community respects the environment. We are committed to leaving no physical trace of our activities wherever we gather. Burning Seed is also a do-ocracy. If you see MOOP, pick it up! You are responsible for ensuring your campsite is clear before you leave. It’s easier if you clean as you go, and think about what you’re bringing to the burn in the first place.

Participation

If you want to broaden your participation in the event, there are ample opportunities. Visit Centre Camp. Ours is a society of activists. When we see a job that needs to be done, we are inclined to roll up our sleeves and pitch in. Keep this in mind: there is no “they”, only “us.”

Burning Seed is a 100% participant funded and staffed event. Sadly, there are always a few people who just don’t get it. These folks believe that the mystical “they” will appear to provide for their needs and clean up their mess. Help us instruct them. If you see someone acting irresponsibly, introduce yourself and speak up. Also, don’t be a “participation snob”. Just because someone isn’t costumed or visibly participating doesn’t mean they aren’t contributing.

Burning Etiquette

The burning of public structures, such as lampposts or bulletin boards, is prohibited. Likewise, the burning of other people’s artwork is forbidden. Individual artists have the sole right to burn their own creation and must apply before the event for the required permits to burn. Do NOT burn other people’s property! If you witness such vandalism, please inform a volunteer. If you would like to burn your art but don’t have a suitable burn platform, please talk to the volunteers at Centre Camp. You may be able to include it in one of the main burns.

Telephone Service

Mobile phones service at the site is pretty minimal. We do, however, strongly encourage you to switch off your phone for the duration of the event. If you simply must use your phone, please be discreet for the sake of the other participants.

Ice Sales

Ice is the one exception to the no-commerce rule at Burning Seed, out of obvious necessity. Ice can be purchased each afternoon at centre camp. Look out for the availability times in the What Where When guide or check at Centre Camp.

Grey Water

Most camps will need to dispose of grey water during Burning Seed. Grey water is produced from cooking, dish washing, and hair and body washing. At Burning Man, you can’t dump grey water on the playa. At Burning Seed the same applies. Don’t dump on the grass or in the dam. You can package all your grey water up in the same containers you brought your water in with. Plan ahead. Try ‘baby-wipe’ baths rather than using water. Don’t use anything other than bio-degradable and natural soaps and detergents. The best idea is to try and minimize grey water altogether.

Freedom and the Media

The media are a part of our experience at Burning Seed. Freedom of the press dictates that we cannot exclude them, nor would we want to - reporting and documenting is a form of expression. The number of film or press crews will be limited and those approved to film are pledged not to interfere with your experience. Should you feel that someone toting a camera is creating a nuisance, contact the Rangers.

Commercial use of all imagery taken at Burning Seed is forbidden without express permission. All professional photographers with intent to receive compensation for a Burning Seed image (including editorial or gallery) must register with Media. ALL motion-capturing video and film cameras must be registered, whether for personal or professional purposes. There is no filming without express permission.

Commerce, Concessions, Rental Trucks and Corporate Logos

The sale of products and services is prohibited within our community. Bring what you need. Sales of hand-made items and food items “in order to cover costs of the trip” are not allowed. There is NO participant vending. Ask your neighbours should you need a specific item. Confront your own survival. This is not a consumer event.

Corporate advertising is also not allowed at Burning Seed. Participants with rental trucks are enthusiastically encouraged to cover or decorate prominent logos. The display or distribution of corporate banners, corporate logos, giveaway items, samples, and other such promotional paraphernalia is strictly prohibited.

Campervans

You are welcome to bring a campervan or recreational vehicle. Be aware, however, that there are no electricity hookups or dumping station on-site, and you will not be allowed to dump on the ground.

Lost and Found

Located at Village Info in Centre Camp.

Our Neighbors

We will be camped in a clearing in the middle of a state forest. However, there are properties bordering the forest on all sides and entry to these properties is strictly prohibited. Please be considerate of these neighbours and respect the boundaries of our village.

Sound

Burning Seed is dedicated to radical self-expression, but it is also dedicated to creating community. This means we all must find a way to get along with our neighbours. Not everyone will want to sleep when you do. Be advised that the only reliable way to get a quiet, uninterrupted night’s sleep is to bring earplugs. If you are unable to agree with your neighbours over the level of sound emitted from their camp, you may ask for the Rangers to mediate. If you intend to use an amplified audio system at your camp you need to pre-register at themecamps (at) burningmanaustralia (dot) com .

Generators

Thinking of bringing a generator to Burning Seed? Burning Seed can be a noisy place, no question about it. Music, laughter, questionable performance art, chanting, shouting, singing and drumming are all part of the experience. Yet, while the drone of parties in the night is something we can all adapt to, the relentless brrrrraaaaaaaaappp of a noisy generator is quite another. Just as bad, the exhaust can be like sleeping inside a garage with the car running. Investigate other power sources first, such as solar, human or 12v batteries to determine if you really do need a generator. Some art projects and theme camps may be provided electricity. If you absolutely must bring a generator, we ask that you follow these simple guidelines:

  • Bring the quietest generator you can afford, and the smallest that will meet your actual needs. Larger generators are more difficult to transport, use more fuel and create more pollution.
  • Don't run your generator late at night or early in the morning.
  • Place the generator as far from other camps as possible.
  • Cover your generator with a sound shield or baffle. Do NOT bury it to shield the noise. No matter how well it is filled afterwards, the hole leaves a tremendous gouge in the ground.
  • Make sure people can't trip over any power cords.

 


6. Volunteers at Burning Seed

Burning Seed has a dedicated group of volunteers in attendance, who are there to help with the smooth running of things and deal with emergencies and issues as they arise. The volunteers might be found doing any job, from duties similar to those of Rangers at Burning Man, to giving out information, dealing with lost and found people and things, and generally making everybody’s lives a bit easier. They can be seen around the village, will be on the gate or at the greeters station, handing out cups of tea, banging in nails, and rescuing fair maidens from fire breathing dragons. There are many ways in which to volunteer. Checking out the forums will get you involved. If you are interested in volunteering, please email volunteers (at) burningmanaustralia (dot) com and register your interest. The more the merrier!

Department of Public Works (DPW)

The Department of Public Works (DPW) is the group that plans, surveys, builds, and takes down the basic infrastructure of our temporary community. DPW work hand-in-hand with other departments to ensure the site for Burning Seed is prepared and ready to receive the participants on arrival, as well as ensuring the maintenance of Burning Seed facilities throughout the burn.

This includes:

  • Marking and maintaining access roads, walkways and signage. building Centre Camp and other community structures, the Gate and entrance to the community.
  • Interfacing with staff and outside agency facilities. Directing portaloo placement. Assisting with major art projects.
  • Surveying camp site boundaries, theme camp and artwork locations, signage and border fencing.

If you have questions about the building and maintenance of structures onsite, or if you want to know more about the DPWs volunteer needs, please contact volunteers (at) burningmanaustralia (dot) com.

Rangers

Modelled on the Black Rock City Rangers, our Rangers are volunteers who work to ensure the safety of the site and participants for the duration of the burn. The Rangers are your “go-to” people if you have a question or concern, and can be identified by their shirts.

Rangers are not law enforcement. However, Rangers help to resolve disputes within our community, and bridge the gap between the ethos and the culture of our citizens and the needs and responsibilities of law enforcement. Rangers work within our community to promote awareness of potential hazards, mediate disputes and interpret our city’s rules in ways that avoid larger and sometimes negative results which might ordinarily result in more negative consequences for the individuals or groups involved.

 


7. Environment

Toilets

There will be Portaloo toilets on the site. These will be serviced daily by volunteers from the Department Of Public Works. You need to bring your own loo roll; toilet paper will not be provided. Please bring 1 PLY toilet paper only as this is compliant with the portaloos.

NOTHING other than human waste is to be put into any toilet. We encourage participants to think of the toilets as if they were your own home toilets. ONLY HUMAN WASTE or TOILET PAPER should go into them. Please do not discard any rubbish or any non-human-waste items into the toilets.

Respecting the purpose of the toilets affects the long term sustainability of Burning Seed. On that note in respect to your community we ask that you be aware where you pee on the village lands. Walkways will be shared and space is limited in the village and no one wants to see or feel your body waste between their toes! Toilets are within walking distance from everywhere. Using pee funnels (girls) and pee bottles (boys) in your tent is great for night-time needs. These containers can then be emptied (though the container may NOT BE DISCARDED) into the portaloos.

The Dam - (Access Strictly Prohibited)

There is a dam located on the site which will be fenced off and access into this area is strictly is prohibited. It is a part of our environment that we need to respect and care for. In the interests of maintaining the quality of the dam, nothing is to be thrown into the dam by way of grey water, where the use of soaps and detergents of any nature are prohibited from use in the dam. This means no soaps of any kind – even biodegradable. Do not enter the dam area and drink the water, bathe, swim or wash dishes in the dam. Glass items are strictly prohibited in the vicinity of the dam.

Parents should be particularly aware. Children must have an adult with them whenever they are near the dam.

Recycling & Waste Minimisation

We encourage you to pack smart to attend Burning Seed. Bring bulk water containers and use them to store your grey water as you empty them. Minimise the use of little disposable drink containers and opt for a ‘camel back’ or re-usable bottle to replenish your daily water supplies. Find a fabulous mug or solid plastic re-useable cup for alcohol or mixed drinks and take them with you as you wander around. Avoid glass bottles wherever possible. Depackage all your food items before you leave for Burning Seed to minimise your trash. Make an advance plan of how you will ‘pack out’ when it’s time to go. Begin your weekend with a recycling or waste program at your camp. Bring white and black plastic bags to sort your rubbish. Sort your waste as you go. Don’t dump rubbish in neighbouring towns or service stations on your way out. Be responsible.

Climate

Be prepared for all weather. Being late spring it is possible we may experience cool to coldish nights, and beautiful sunny days. Bring sunscreen. Even though it’s not quite summer the midday sun may burn unprotected skin and hot spells can be experienced at this time of the year.

 


8. Getting There and Away

How Do I Get There?

Directions to the site will be available once you have purchased your ticket. Check out for signs as you approach the event.

We suggest car-pooling where possible to minimize cars travelling to the burn. Check out the Ride Share forum on burningmanaustralia.com

About the highways leading to the burn:

Police patrol cars will likely be present on the highways leading to the burn, particularly as it is a long weekend. Speed limits are strictly enforced in all areas and both fixed and handheld speed cameras are in operation.

If the police stop your car, remember the following: 1. Upon request, show police officers your driver’s license. In certain cases, your car can be searched without a warrant if the police have probable cause to do so. 2. If you’re given a ticket, we recommend you accept it; otherwise you can be arrested. You can fight the case in court later. 3. If you’re suspected of alcohol or drug impaired driving (DUI) and refuse to take a blood, urine, breath, or impairment test, you can be taken into custody. It is illegal to refuse a breath or blood test in Australia.

Leaving the burn

Please don’t drive until you are ready. There may be breathalysers on the way out. We have added and extra day to the end of the event to ensure everyone has adequate time to recover after the main burn.