Natural Environment
Bushfires
Bushfire Management Policy
The Ku-ring-gai Local Government Area is fortunate to be surrounded by natural bushland. History has however shown that severe bushfires may cause damage to property and threaten lives within the community. For this reason, Council is required to implement procedures to minimise this threat in accordance with the provisions of the Rural Fire Act (1997).
Recent amendments to the Rural Fires Act and the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act have established legislation that requires planning controls in land deemed to be bushfire prone. To help Council carry out its responsibilities under this legislation, a Bushfire Management Policy has been developed. This document provides the planning direction Council will take in order to fulfil these responsibilities.
At the Ordinary Meeting of Council on Tuesday 29 April 2008, Council adopted the following amendments to the Bushfire Management Policy:-
- amendment to Rural Fire Service Act regarding building in bushfire prone areas;
- the development and completion of a Bushfire Prone Land map;
- ability to offset bushfire asset protection zones on neighbouring property with the written consent of the neighbour; and
- the ability to use an environmental assessment code instead of a much more onerous and complicated Environmental Impact Statement or Review of Environmental Factors.
Bushfire Management Policy 2008 (3.76MB)
Fuel Management Program 2009-2010
Ku-ring-gai Council holds an annual Fuel Management Program using hazard reduction or controlled burns as a means of reducing the amount of fuel that adds to the fire front during bush fires.
For more information on the 2009-2010 Fuel Management Program, click below.
Fuel Management Program 2009- 2010
Emergency contact
To report fires and other emergencies: Dial 000
Key Contacts
Ku-ring-gai Council
818 Pacific Highway
GORDON NSW 2072
Phone: 9424 0000
NSW Rural Fire Service
Hornsby - Ku-ring-gai Fire Control
143 Galston Rd
HORNSBY HEIGHTS NSW 2077
Phone: 9485 5000
NSW Fire Brigades
Head Office
227 Elizabeth St
SYDNEY NSW 2000
Phone: 9265 2999
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Lower Hawkesbury Area
Ku-ring-gai Chase Rd
MT COLAH NSW 2079
Phone: 9472 8949, 9472 9320
Lane Cove National Park
Lady Game Drive
CHATSWOOD NSW 2067
Phone: 9412 1811
Garigal National Park
Northern Beaches Area
Ferguson St
FORESTVILLE NSW 2087
Phone: 9451 3479
Information Services
Key Phone Contacts
NSW Road Closures: 132 701
NSW Roads and Traffic Authority
Bushfire Information: 1800 679 737
NSW Rural Fire Service
Evacuation Hotline: 1800 060 243
Enquire about families and friends at evacuation centres
Natural Disaster Hotline: 1800 227 228
Information about welfare and entitlements under the Natural Disaster payments system
State Disaster Recovery Service: 1800 018 444
NSW Department of Community Services
Key Websites
Bureau of Meterology
Current weather forecasts and warnings
NSW Rural Fire Service
Fire restrictions, bushfire preparation and safety
NSW Fire Brigades
Home fire safety and bushfire preparation
NSW Government
Bushfire information from state agencies
National Parks and Wildlife Service
Parks information including fire, floods and park closures
Department of Community Services
Disaster assistance
State Emergency Services
Volunteers helping the community during emergencies