Bushfire protection

Wollongong is no stranger to the effects of bushfires and every year they have the potential to pose a serious threat to life and property within our city.

Our city's ability to deal with bushfires has gradually been strengthened through:

• improved fire fighting techniques and resources;
• better controls on development;
• improved fire detection;
• increased public education and awareness;
• co-ordination of all bushfire management activities through the Wollongong Bush Fire Committee.

The impact of bushfires on life and property can be reduced with responsible preparation and effective reduction of bushfire hazards.

One major fire management strategy is the creation of bushfire Asset Protection Zones (APZs). 

Our bushfire project involves establishing APZs on Council land.  

What is an APZ?
An APZ is an area of land, adjacent to a building, where the bushfire fuel load is managed to significantly minimise the impact of fire on that asset. The APZ acts as a buffer zone between an asset and the unmanaged bushfire hazard. When designed and maintained correctly, an APZ will reduce the likelihood of:

• ember attack on the asset;
• radiant heat damage to the asset;
• a ground fire travelling to the asset and igniting the house.

A bushfire may still travel through an APZ towards the asset, however intensity of the flames will be reduced and fire fighters and home owners will have safe access to defend the property.

Your involvement
Once we've completed an APZ in an area of Council land, we encourage local residents to help maintain these areas through the FIREADY program.

The FIREADY program provides support, training, safety equipment and other resources for community members to carry out ongoing bushfire fuel management works within the APZ.

Each FIREADY group is supported by Council officers who co-ordinate the activities of the group, provide materials and equipment, and carry out training and education for group members.

The FIREADY program provides an opportunity for you to increase your personal and property safety and improve the quality of your local environment while enjoying the companionship and friendship of nearby neighbours.

Check out the FIREADY timetable on the right hand side of the page for a group near you.

Your property
The work Council and other large landholders complete on their land will not be effective if similar fuel management works are not carried out on adjacent private lands.

Research by the CSIRO has shown that effective management of the area immediately adjacent to the asset is most critical in preparing property to withstand bushfire attack.

Private land owners are being encouraged to create APZs on their own land through community education activities run by both Council and the NSW Rural Fire Service.

Private landowners intending to carry out bushfire hazard reduction works to create or maintain an APZ for an existing house, may require a Bushfire Hazard Reduction Certificate from the NSW Rural Fire Service prior to starting the work.

The certificate lists the type of work which can be carried out on site and any environmental safeguards which must be complied with. The environmental assessment and certificate are completed by the NSW RFS free of charge.

FIREADY timetable