What does Council do to help reduce bush fire risk?
Council manages approximately 1500 hectares of ‘natural area’ across its Local Government Area and plays a key role under legislation “to take practicable steps to prevent the occurrence of bush fires on, and to minimise the danger of the spread of bush fires on or from, that land.”
Council’s bush fire management activities are guided by the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Bush Fire Risk Management Plan. The plan and actions within it are developed and overseen by the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Bush Fire Management Committee.
Council undertakes a range of activities designed to reduce bush fire risk to property and the community. These include:
- vegetation management (supporting hazard reduction burning, manual modification and fuel reduction)
- installation and management of fire advantage structures (fire trails, gates, signage etc)
- community education and engagement (information, events)
- planning controls/regulatory roles (issuing of permits, development assessment)
- support of maintenance and development of fire response infrastructure such as buildings (NSW RFS District Office, fire stations) and maintenance of RFS vehicles
- administrative and Geographic Information System support to RFS District Office
- provision of technical expertise, input to the development of district fire planning and representation on statutory committees (Bush Fire Management Committee, Local Emergency Management Committee)
