Released 02/11/2023
The ACT Government has today released the ACT Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate (EPSDD) 2023-24 Bushfire Operations Plan, which describes the next 12 months of preparedness and prevention activities planned across ACT parks and reserves to reduce bushfire risks.
The Minister for Planning and Land Management Mick Gentleman said this year’s ESPDD Bushfire Operations Plan will take advantage of forecast drier weather to accelerate repair and maintenance activities to management trails, conduct hazard reduction burns, and reduce fuel loads in the urban environment.
“The ACT Government remains focused on reducing bushfire risks to the Canberra community. The Bushfire Operations Plan sets out a wide range of proposed works and activities to address this risk,” Minister Gentleman said.
“The Bushfire Operations Plan establishes a prioritised and ambitious plan of risk reduction activities across 13,415 hectares of the ACT and 560 km of the ACT management trails to be delivered by experienced land managers and fire fighters from the ACT Parks and Conservation Service.
“I am particularly pleased that this Bushfire Operations Plan includes working with the Ngunnawal community to conduct cultural burning that will help to heal country and connect Ngunnawal people as the traditional custodians of the land.
“Despite the significant challenges faced from extreme wet weather, saturated catchments and impacts to our fire trails, we achieved 84% completion of the 2022-23 Bushfire Operations Plan.
“The government is well underway implementing this year’s activities by completing management trail repairs, training new staff, removing fuel by slashing and mowing and undertaking prescribed burns.
“The ACT Parks and Conservation Service (PCS) has already completed 270km of priority trail works this year Any repair works that haven’t been completed in the previous plan due to weather impacts will be prioritised in 2023-24 operations.
“PCS is working closely with the ACT Rural Fire Service (ACTRFS) to monitor weather conditions and mitigate risks across the Territory through our fire suppression capabilities.
“Fire trained staff have also recently returned from deployment in Canada where they assisted firefighting efforts during their summer season, bringing back new skills, experience and knowledge to help inform our management practices here.
“Despite facing some significant challenges because of the extended wet weather over recent years which led to rapid vegetation growth and damage to management trail network, the ACT Government is confident about the level of preparations for the summer ahead.
“With the ACT expecting hotter and drier conditions due to El Nino weather patterns, its essential that the government, business and the community progress their bushfire preparations now to prevent the spread of fire and protect Canberrans and their homes from a potential bushfire event.
“I urge Canberrans to be prepared and informed as we head into summer. Now is the time to create or update your own survival plan and play your part in keeping yourself, your family and your community safe.”
You can read the EPSDD 2023-24 Bushfire Operations Plan of find out more about bushfire management for ACT parks and reserves on the ACT Environment website.
Visit the ACT Emergency Services Agency website to download your survival plan, and to learn more about how you can Be Emergency Ready.
- Statement ends -
Mick Gentleman, MLA | Media Releases