Penrith Bush Fire Management Committee Bush Fire Risk ...

PENRITH BUSH FIRE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE DRAFT BUSH FIRE RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN
1.1 Background
Chapter 1 Introduction
The Rural Fires Act, 1997 requires the Bush Fire Coordinating Committee (BFCC) to establish A
Bush Fire Management Committee (BFMC) in each local government area containing a rural
fire district, or fire district with a bush fire risk. One role of the BFMC is to prepare a draft
Bush Fire Risk Management Plan for its area of responsibility.
Bush Fire Risk is defined as the chance of a bush fire igniting, spreading and causing damage
to assets of value to the community. Assets of value to the community include life, property
(including buildings, stock, crops and forests) and our natural and cultural heritage.
Bush Fire Risk Management involves identifying the level of risk posed by bush fires to assets
and establishing strategies to protect these assets from the adverse effects of bush fires. The
purpose of bush fire risk management is to protect the community and its values from the
adverse affects of wildfire. The outcome sought, is to achieve better integration of community
preparedness and prevention strategies as key elements of bush fire management.
This draft bush fire risk management plan (BFRMP) has been prepared by the Penrith Bush
Fire Management Committee in accordance with the Rural Fires Act 1997. The Penrith Bush
Fire Management Committee comprises representatives of major land management agencies,
the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Road and Traffic Authority, Transgrid, Air Services
Australia, ComLand Limited, Waste Services NSW, Corrective Services Orchard Hills Defence
Establishment, Penrith City Council, volunteer rural fire brigade members, fire fighting
authorities, and community representatives.
The plan identifies the level of bush fire risk across the Penrith Council area and establishes
strategies, which the responsible land managers will implement to manage the bush fire risks
identified.
The strategies established in the bush fire risk management plan address the bush fire hazard,
the vulnerability of assets to fire, the safety of the community and fire fighters, the protection of
the land and environment from fire, and recognise that biodiversity can be managed through the
application of appropriate fire regimes upon the landscape.
In accordance with the Regulations to the Rural Fires Act 1997, the draft bush fire risk
management plan will be exhibited for a period of not less than 42 days during which time
submissions are invited from the public.
As such, members of the public, whether as private individuals or as members of community
interest groups, are invited to comment on the plan. Submissions should be in writing, and as
detailed and specific as possible; however any comments, no matter how brief or general are
welcome. All comments received will be referred to the Bush Fire Co-ordinating Committee with
the plan for their final deliberation and approval.
Prior to finalising the plan, the Bush Fire Management Committee is required to consider the
submissions to plan and prepare a review for consideration by the Bush Fire Co-ordinating
Committee. Under the Act, the Bush Fire Co-ordinating Committee may approve the plan,
amend the plan or reject the plan in the light of public submissions.
If significant changes are made to the plan after public exhibition, the draft plan will be placed
on further exhibition prior to its final adoption.
The closing date for comments on this plan is: .?
Comments should be forwarded to:
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