10-07-2025
Upper Lachlan Shire Council, in collaboration with the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS), has updated the mapping of bushfire-prone land throughout the Upper Lachlan Shire.
In accordance with legislation, each Council in NSW is required to map bushfire-prone land based on guidelines set by the RFS in its Guide for Bush Fire-prone Land Mapping.
In line with the Australian Standard (AS), in 2015 the RFS introduced a new category of bushfire hazard known as grasslands, which includes grazing and cropping lands.
A team from Upper Lachlan Shire Council worked closely with the RFS to review and improve the accuracy of this draft map, which was presented for information at the Ordinary Council meeting on June 19.
The Local Rural Fire Service District has also supported the draft map. The next step involves progressing the draft map to the Commissioner of the RFS for final review, certification, and any necessary adjustments.
Once certified, the new mapping will take effect immediately, replacing the existing 2003 Bush Fire Prone Land map. The updated certified map will be used by Council for development control purposes, ensuring that new buildings and developments in these areas comply with bush fire safety standards.
Council aims to provide transparency and inform landowners and developers in our community about the upcoming changes to the Bushfire-Prone Land map.The updated mapping will help identify areas at risk, facilitate emergency response planning, and guide residents on how to prepare for potential bushfire threats.
Council is committed to protecting people, property, and the environment from the dangers posed by bushfires. These maps are essential for implementing bushfire protection measures, as detailed in the Planning for Bush Fire Protection (PBP), which applies to proposed developments to safeguard our community.
Council will issue another media release to the community once the draft Bush Fire Prone Land map has been certified.