Bush Fire Prone Land Map

Bush fire prone land is land that falls within, or partially within, a bush fire prone area which can support a bush fire, or is likely to be subject to bush fire attack. Further, the map includes a buffer of up to 100 metres adjacent to areas of high bush fire hazard and a 30m buffer adjacent to areas of medium to low bush fire hazard. Because of this buffer, you may have land which has no bush designated as being bush fire prone.

State government laws on bush fire protection ensure that people, property and the environment are more protected against the dangers that may arise from bush fires. Bush fire prone land maps are prepared by Council in accordance with RFS mapping guidelines and certified by the Commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS). They are required to be reviewed every five (5) years.

Land being identified as bush fire prone will not necessarily exclude development from occurring on the site. There are special standards to consider before making decisions regarding development on bush fire prone land. As a land owner, you should obtain all relevant information relating to the property and consult with relevant professionals (e.g. Building Designer/Architect and Accredited Bush Fire Consultant) before designing a new home or altering or adding to an existing home. The RFS document ‘Planning for Bush Fire Protection 2019’ must be addressed in the preparation of an application for development. More information can be found on the RFS website at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au.

Planning for Bush Fire Protection 2019 requires that certain measures be met in order to make a building less likely to be subject to damage or destruction from bush fires. It is not the intention of Planning for Bush Fire Protection 2019 to prevent the development of land in bush fire prone areas, however, in order to provide adequate protection from bush fires, it may be necessary to modify the style, construction material or siting of a building.

Land identified as being bush fire prone is not necessarily excluded from the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 (Codes SEPP). Under the Codes SEPP, some development can be undertaken on low risk bush fire prone land. You may wish to contact an Accredited Bush Fire Consultant to assist with advice.

The Bush Fire Prone Land Map is intended to designate areas of the Shire that are considered to be at higher bush fire risk for development control purposes. Not being designated bush fire prone is not a guarantee that losses from bush fires will not occur.

Living with the bush is a way of life that we can all enjoy but we must also be prepared for bush fire events. Knowing if you are living within, adjacent or close to Bush Fire Prone Land helps you understand and know your bush fire risk. Importantly, if you live within Bush Fire Prone Land, you should use this information to inform you and your family when preparing a bush fire survival plan. For more information visit: https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/resources/bush-fire-survival-plan.

You can visit Council’s website hornsby.nsw.gov.au/bush fire-prone-land or visit the NSW RFS building in a bush fire area section or contact a bush fire consultant (for more information see Fire Protection Association Australia, Bush Fire Planning and Design (BPAD) Accredited Practitioners.