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 Mid Murray Zone is currently being assessed. Public feedback will be taken into consideration as the plan is finalised by the Mid Murray Zone Bush Fire Management Committee before being sent to the Bush Fire Coordinating Committee for review.

Current Bush Fire Risk Management Plan for Mid Murray Zone

The Bush Fire Risk Management Plan for Mid Murray Zone was prepared under the current BFMC area.

The Mid Murray BFRMP was approved on 13 November 2009.

This BFRMP identifies the bush fire risks in each location 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.

View the current plan for Mid Murray Zone

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

Mid Murray BFMC is made up of the following representatives:

  • Aboriginal Housing Victoria
  • Cummeragunja Local Aboriginal Land Council
  • Deniliquin Local Aboriginal Land Council
  • Moama Local Aboriginal Land Council
  • Wamba Wamba Local Aboriginal Land Council
  • Edward River Council
  • Murray River Council
  • NSW Department of Planning and Environment (Crown Lands)
  • Essential Energy
  • Fire and Rescue NSW
  • Forestry Corporation of NSW
  • Murray Local Land Services
  • NSW Rural Fire Service
  • NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
  • NSW Farmers Association
  • NSW Police
  • Transport NSW
  • V-Line

The Mid Murray Zone Bush Fire Management Committee (BFMC) area spans 2,074,600 hectares (ha) or 20,746km2.  The area covers the Local Government Area’s (LGA’s) of Murray River and Edward River and features National Parks covering approximately 101,268 ha (4.9% of BFMC area) and State Forests covering an area of approximately 31,150 ha (1.5% of BFMC area).

The Mid Murray Zone area has approximately 21 bushland and 77% 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.

  • According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2021 Census LGA geographical area, there are 10,461 private dwellings in Mid Murray Zone BFMC area with an approximate population of 21,306.
  • According to the ABS data on the counts of Australian businesses, the top three industries in the BFMC area are, agriculture, construction and rental, hiring and real estate services. These make up approximately 59% of businesses in the Mid Murray Zone BFMC.
  • The last major bush fire happened in the 2020/21 bush fire season with 4,070 ha burnt.
  • 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.