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 Snowy Monaro 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 Snowy Monaro Bush Fire Management Committee (BFMC) area spans 1,523,524 hectares (ha). The area covers the Local Government Area (LGA) of Snowy Monaro Regional Council and features 37 National Parks and reserves covering an area of 406,620ha and 12 State Forests covering an area of 62,453ha.

The Snowy Monaro area has approximately 60% bushland and 37% 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 10,589 residential dwellings in the Snowy Monaro BFMC area with an approximate population of 21,666 (ABS, 2021).
  • There are 2,719 local businesses in the area (ABS, 2021). The core economic drivers being tourism, accommodation and food services, agriculture, forestry, construction and retail trade. These industries make up approximately 46% of industry in the Snowy Monaro BFMC (ABS, 2021). The mountainous terrain provides unique and popular tourism destinations for environmental amenity and recreation. Key transport corridors including the Monaro Highway and Snowy Mountains Highway facilitate connectivity of people and goods.
  • The last major bush fire happened in the 2019/2020 bush fire season with 207,482ha burnt.
  • There are several valuable community assets across the area including a number of culturally significant sites, unique and diverse plants and animals as well as significant conservation areas.

Current Bush Fire Risk Management Plan for Snowy Monaro

The Bush Fire Risk Management Plan (BFRMP) for Snowy Monaro was prepared under two former BFMC areas, which were amalgamated in 2016.

These BFRMPs identify the bush fire risks in Snowy Monaro and set 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 information.

View the current plan for Snowy Monaro

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

Snowy Monaro BFMC is made up of the following representatives:

  • NSW Rural Fire Service
  • NSW Crown Lands
  • NSW Farmers' Association
  • Fire and Rescue NSW
  • NSW Forestry Corporation
  • Snowy Monaro Regional Council
  • Nature Conservation Council
  • National Parks and Wildlife Service
  • NSW Police Force
  • Transport for NSW
  • Essential Energy
  • Transgrid
  • Bega Local Aboriginal Land Council
  • Bodalla Local Aboriginal Land Council
  • Cobowra Local Aboriginal Land Council
  • Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council
  • Merrimans Local Aboriginal Land Council
  • Mogo Local Aboriginal Land Council
  • Wagonga Local Aboriginal Land Council
  • Primary Securities (Observer)
  • Snowy Hydro (Observer)
  • Snowy Mountains Forests (Observer)

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.