Bushfire Report

        A Guide to Develop a Bushfire Evacuation Plan




Introduction


Bush fires are an important part of the Australian environment. However, historic
development patterns have placed an increased risk to the community of impact of
bushfires. Bush fires have the potential to affect everyone that lives in or around
areas of bushland. With a significant amount of existing and proposed development
in these areas, the NSW Rural Fire Service is seeking to enhance the management
of the protection of life and property through appropriate development control,
planning hazard management and suppression of suppression of bush fires.

In August 2002, the NSW Government legislated the requirement for all integrated
development proposals to be submitted to the NSW Rural Fire Service for a Bush
Fire Safety Authority and that the proposals meet the planning requirements of
‘Planning for Bushfire Protection 2001’. Elements such as access, water supply,
setbacks from hazard etc are some of these requirements that are to be addressed.

In addition to the planning requirements of the physical nature there is also the
opportunity to increase the level of protection of residents, whether permanent or
temporary. One of the ways to achieve this is through an appropriate strategy that
clearly identifies what steps will be undertaken in the event of a bush fire, including
the safe evacuation of premises if required.

There is a now a need to address the issues of evacuation in the event of a bushfire
thus a development of a Bushfire Evacuation Plan (BEP) is now a requirement for
new developments that have a higher concentration of people than a normal
residential dwelling. Proposals that require a Bushfire Evacuation Plan are known as
Special Fire Protection Purposes (SFP) as identified in clause 46 of the Rural Fires
Regulation 2002. These purposes are;

          Schools;
          Child Care centres
          Hospital (including a hospital for the mentally ill or mentally disordered)
          Hotel, motel or other tourist accommodation
          A building wholly or principally used as home or other establishment for the
          mentally incapacitated persons
          Housing for older people or people with disabilities within the meaning of
          SEPP – Seniors Living 2004
          A group home with the meaning of SEPP 9 – Group Homes
          A retirement village
          Any other purpose prescribed by the NSW Rural Fire Regulations




Bushfire Evacuation Planning – NSW Rural Fire Service: July 2004       Page 3 of 39