13-01-2026
Upper Lachlan Shire Council, in collaboration with the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS), has updated the mapping of bush fire prone land throughout the Upper Lachlan Shire.
In accordance with legislation, each Council in NSW is required to map bush fire 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 bush fire 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 19 June 2025.
The final step was completed on 8 January 2026 with the re-certification of the Bush Fire Prone Land Map by the Commissioner of the RFS.
The new mapping takes 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.
The updated mapping will help identify areas at risk, facilitate emergency response planning, and guide residents on how to prepare for potential bush fire threats.
CEO Alex Waldon said “Council is committed to protecting people, property, and the environment from the dangers posed by bush fires. These maps are essential for implementing bush fire protection measures, as detailed in the Planning for Bush Fire Protection (PBP), which applies to proposed developments to safeguard our community.”
The re-certified new mapping will be incorporated onto the RFS website and Planning Portal Spatial Viewer in the coming weeks.
Please feel free to contact Council in the meanwhile for any Bush Fire Prone Land Map enquiry on telephone 02 4830 1000 or [email protected] .