A Charles Darwin University researcher says a more collaborative approach to vegetation management is required to reduce the intensity of bushfires.
On the Country Hour yesterday residents near Darwin and Batchelor spoke of their concern about the number of controlled burns taking place and the effect it's having on the environment.
Dr Andrew Edwards, from the Darwin Centre for Bushfire Research, agrees the annual fires are damaging biodiversity but he says there is much more to this very complex issue.
"There are many more people slowly moving into the area, encroaching more and more into the bush. We've also got the issue of a lot of weeds.
"There needs to be a combined plan of fire management and weed management. That goes on to some extent but it probably needs a lot more work," he said.
Dr Edwards says he doesn't believe more fires are occurring but it's becoming more of an issue as the population increases.
"Bushfires NT has been strategically burning the bush in the greater Darwin area for many, many years.
"But with more people there, more people are noticing it and being impacted by it," he said.
"Then you've got volunteer brigades of people who are trying to manage fire on many more smaller blocks."
He says it is not fair to label the brigades as 'fire lighters' as the staff are simple trying to assist in managing fuel loads.
"If anyone has an issue with what the volunteers are doing, I think they should go out and spend a weekend with a brigade and see how much hard work it is.
"They're not just chucking matches out, drinking beer and having a good time," he said.
"They're out doing work for the community, on behalf of the community and I think it's unfair for them to say they're just out there joy riding and having fun."