Bushfire-prone land mapping

Bushfire-prone land is an area of land with vegetation that can support a bushfire or is likely to be subject to bushfire attack. The NSW Rural Fire Service describes what they will designate as bushfire-prone land in their 'Guide for bushfire-prone land mapping'.

• NSW RFS: Guide for bushfire-prone land mapping

A bushfire-prone land map is the trigger for the consideration of bushfire protection measures for new development. If a proposed development is on bushfire-prone land, we assess it against rules set by the NSW RFS around what can be done on the land, including how and where you can build, to keep you and your home safe. These rules are described in the RFS 'Planning for bushfire protection guide'.

• NSW RFS: Planning for bushfire protection guide

Councils are required to map bushfire-prone land within their local government area to comply with legislation (the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979). The NSW RFS designates which land must be mapped and councils are required to assist with making the map. When the RFS is satisfied with the map, the NSW RFS Commissioner certifies the bushfire-prone land map.

The map is reviewed every five years to reflect changes in development and vegetation.

We use the 'Guide for bushfire-prone land mapping' to identify which vegetation category applies to vegetated areas in our local government area and which areas are excluded. Council and the RFS use aerial photography, vegetation mapping and management records as part of this process. The map is then reviewed and certified by the Commissioner of the NSW RFS.

• NSW RFS: 'Guide for bushfire-prone land mapping'

You are responsible for checking to see if your property is bushfire-prone land. You can find out if your property is bushfire-prone land by:

• finding your property on the static bushfire-prone land map above
• using the land-mapping tool on our website
• contacting our Development Help Desk via email development@esc.nsw.gov.au or phone 4474 1231.

The Section 10.7 Planning Certificate for the property will also include a statement whether the land, or part of the land, is or is not bushfire-prone land.

If your property is mapped as bushfire-prone land, it is a reminder that you need a bushfire survival plan.

Being bushfire-prone does not prevent development on your land. Buildings built prior to the land being mapped as bushfire-prone will not require any retrospective modifications.

If you are planning a new development on bushfire-prone land, including building, renovating, or starting a new home-based business, we will assess your proposal to ensure the development has adequate protection from bushfires. Depending on the level of risk, mitigation measures range from metal flyscreens and gutter guards, to modifying the style, construction material or siting of a building.

If you are already operating a home-based business that was previously exempt from requiring a Development Application, you can continue to operate. You should consider the RFS 'Planning for bushfire guidelines'. If you take a break from your business, you may need a Development Application to start a home business again in the future.

• NSW RFS: Bushfire survival plan

The new mapping will not affect a current Development Application. Council is already required to consider bushfire risk and whether a development requires bushfire mitigation measures, even if the property is not mapped. This means we sometimes ask for additional information related to bushfire mitigation. It is likely you would have been asked for additional information to support your Development Application whether the new mapping was recently certified by RFS or not.

The new mapping may affect complying development. Contact your certifier if your property is mapped as bushfire-prone.

Yes, but for all home based development, a bushfire emergency management and evacuation plan is essential.

• NSW RFS: Bushfire emergency management and evacuation plan

Some business types that involve vulnerable members of the community may also need special fire protection considerations – for example home-based childcare (family day care).

Inquiries on home-based business requirements and the approval process for new businesses:

• Development Help Desk
• T: 4474 1231
• E: development@esc.nsw.gov.au

Inquiries on relating to family day care:

• Coordinator children services
• T: 4474 1280
• E: council@esc.nsw.gov.au

Most of the land in Eurobodalla continues to be considered bushfire-prone. Only certain urban land in Batemans Bay, Moruya, and Narooma are not considered to be at risk.

Since the previous map was certified in 2003, parts of Eurobodalla have been developed and are no longer bushfire-prone. These areas have been removed form the bushfire-prone land map.

In 2015, the RFS updated its 'Guide for bushfire-prone land mapping' to recognise the bushfire risk of grasslands. Grasslands are now mapped as bushfire-prone land in Eurobodalla.

• RFS: Guide for bushfire-prone land mapping

About an additional 18,400 hectares of land (outside of national parks and state forests) have been designated as bushfire-prone land in the new map, comprising 833 new land parcels now wholly or partly mapped as bushfire-prone. Most of the additional land was grassland on rural properties.

The additional area mapped as bushfire-prone land was not a result of the 19/20 fires. The map was already a requirement under NSW legislation and already being reviewed prior to the fires.

* Any parcel with >10sqm of bushfire-prone land mapped is considered.

Every council in NSW is required to map bushfire-prone land and it is intended only as a trigger for development assessment, not other purposes.

Councils have no control over what insurance companies charge for their premiums. We do know that insurance premiums are based on a range of factors, including worldwide trends and cost recovery for the many and varied natural disasters we’ve seen globally over the past decade.

Being a coastal area surrounded by natural bushland and forest, all Eurobodalla residents should prepare for bushfire, particularly in the warmer months. This includes having a bushfire survival plan. Your actual bushfire risk is not changed based on whether the land is mapped or not.

• NSW RFS: Bushfire survival plan
• NSW RFS: Preparing your property