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.

Developed using robust data and sophisticated technology and modelling, the plans determine risk factors and develop solutions that best mitigate them.

Feedback from the exhibition of a draft plan for MIA is currently being assessed. Public feedback will be taken into consideration as the plan is finalised by the MIA Bush Fire Management Committee before being sent to the Bush Fire Coordinating Committee for review.

Current Bush Fire Risk Management Plan for MIA

The Bush Fire Risk Management Plan for MIA was approved on 26 August 2008.

This BFRMP identifies the bush fire risks in the Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Carrathool, Griffith, Hay, Leeton, Murrumbidgee and Narrandera and sets out the types of work scheduled to deal with the risk of bush fires.

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

View the current plan for MIA

The MIA BFMC is made up of a range of stakeholders from the area including emergency services, land management agencies, Local Government and Local Aboriginal Land Services and local community groups. This ensures key agency stakeholders have a say on bush fire management activities for the benefit of their communities.

The MIA BFMC is made up of the following representatives:

  • NSW Rural Fire Service
  • Carrathool Shire Council
  • Coleambally Irrigation
  • Essential Energy
  • Fire and Rescue NSW
  • Forestry Corporation of NSW
  • Griffith City Council
  • Hay Shire Council
  • Leeton Shire Council
  • Local Aboriginal Land Councils
  • Local Land Services
  • Murrumbidgee Council
  • Narrandera Shire Council
  • Nature Conservation Council of NSW
  • NSW Department of Planning and Environment (Crown Lands)
  • NSW Farmers
  • NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
  • NSW Police Force
  • Transport NSW
  • UGL Rail Link

The MIA Bush Fire Management Committee (BFMC) area spans 4,062,314 hectares (ha). The area covers the Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Carrathool, Griffith, Hay, Leeton, Murrumbidgee and Narrandera and features National Parks covering an area of 169,181ha and State Forests covering an area of 21,485ha.

The MIA BFMC area has approximately 22% bushland and 76% 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 bushland is drier.

  • According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2021 Census Community Profile there are 19,495 residential dwellings in MIA BFMC area with an approximate population of 46,537.
  • According to the ABS data on the counts of Australian businesses, there were 6,160 businesses in the MIA BFMC. The top three industries in the BFMC are agriculture, forestry and fishing; construction; and rental, hiring and real estate services, which make up approximately 43% of businesses in the MIA BFMC.
  • The last major bush fire happened in the 2016/17 bush fire season with 4,192 hectares burned.
  • There are several valuable community assets across the area along with a number of culturally significant sites and environmentally important sites.

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.