Why we need a plan

Bush Fire Risk Management Plans are an effective instrument for managing risk to human activity and valued community and environmental assets. They are a key component in a multifaceted bush fire management approach for NSW.

We are planning together to manage bush fire risk in the Far North Coast area by preparing a new five-year plan of strategies and actions.

How will your input be used

The data from the Have Your Say survey responses has been anonymously supplied to your area’s Bush Fire Management Committee. They will assess data collections rather than individual answers, so that they can establish a clearer community sentiment and gain insights from a large sample size.

The personal details you submitted will be used to validate your submission and to allow notifications to be sent to you when the status of this BFRMP changes.

Our community

The Far North Coast BFMC area spans 238,980ha. The area covers the Ballina, Byron and Tweed Local Government Areas (LGAs) and features National Parks covering an area of 29,543ha (12.35% of BFMC area).

The Far North Coast area has approximately 58% bushland and 35% grassland with the balance being the built environment or water bodies. A bush or grass fire can happen at any time of the year, but the risk is higher during the warmer months, when bush, grass or scrub is drier.

  • At the last census there are 82,323 homes in the Far North Coast area with an approximate population of 179,804.
  • The area has a high level of agriculture, a high level of tourism, a low level of industry and a moderate level of local business and opportunities for employment.
  • The last significant bush fire happened in the 2023/24 bush fire season with 743ha burned.
  • There are several valuable community assets across the area along with a number of culturally significant sites and environmentally important sites.

Current Bush Fire Risk Management Plan for Far North Coast

The Far North Coast Bush Fire Risk Management Plan was published on 28 March 2017.

This plan identifies the bush fire risks in Far North Coast and sets out the types of work scheduled to deal with the risk of bush fires.

BFRMPs are updated within every five-year period, however, the treatments and works set out in the plans are subject to change on a yearly basis due to fire activity, weather and new risk factors. This plan may not have been updated with the latest treatment and works plans/information.

Far North Coast BFMC is made up of a range of stakeholders from the area including emergency services, land management agencies, local government, local Aboriginal land services and local community groups. This ensures key community stakeholders have a say on bush fire management activities for the benefit of their communities.

The Far North Coast BFMC is made up of the following representatives:

  • NSW Rural Fire Service
  • NSW Department of Planning and Environment (Crown Lands)
  • Essential Energy
  • NSW Farmers' Association
  • Fire and Rescue NSW
  • Ballina Shire Council
  • Tweed Shire Council
  • Byron Shire Council
  • Local Aboriginal Land Councils
  • Nature Conservation Council of NSW
  • NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
  • NSW Police Force
  • Transport for NSW
  • New South Wales Cane Growers' Association
  • NSW Local Land Services

Bush fire survival plan

Getting ready for a bush fire is easier than you think. Make a bush fire survival plan so you know what you will do if there’s a fire near you.

Prepare your home

A well-prepared home is more likely to survive a bush fire. Even if your plan is to leave early, the more you prepare your home, the more likely it will survive a bush fire or ember attack.

Prepare yourself and your family

Preparation isn’t just about cleaning up around the house and having a plan. It’s also about making sure you consider your physical, mental and emotional preparedness.