Public exhibition is open until Monday 6 May 2024.
What is water for bushfire preparedness and firefighting?
When bushfires threaten a region, landholders need fast and easy access to water to wet down buildings and surrounding areas and suppress the fire front to save the lives of people and animals and prevent asset damage.
The department has reviewed the regulatory framework applying to the take of water to prepare landholdings for an imminent bushfire and fight an active fire. We are trying to find a way for landholders and occupiers (including community groups) to be able to take small volumes of water for this purpose in a cost-effective way, while acknowledging the need to manage the impacts of any additional water take on the environment and other water users.
We have prepared a proposed package of changes in collaboration with the NSW Rural Fire Service and other water-agency partners. The department is seeking feedback from the community before the final proposal is considered by the NSW Government.
A background paper and supporting material are also available:
Proposed changes
This paper sets out the proposed approach for improving access to water for bushfire preparedness and firefighting.
Background paper
More information about the issue and the process so far.
FAQs
Answers to frequently asked questions.
Watch the video
Presentation 1 – Why the review is happening and the objectives.
Watch the video
Presentation 2 – What we have done so far and the options considered.
Watch the video
Presentation 3 – Water for bushfire preparedness and firefighting, the proposed approach.
Watch the video
Presentation 4 – Have your say and next steps.
Public consultation provides opportunities for water users, stakeholders and other interested parties to learn more about the proposed changes and to make comments. Feedback and issues raised during the public consultation phase will be considered when finalising the proposed approach.
Share your feedback by:
- Completing the comment form online below or
- emailing comments to water.enquiries@dpie.nsw.gov.au
- Organising a phone call or Teams meeting with a project member by emailing water.enquiries@dpie.nsw.gov.au
Please include ‘Water for fire fighting’ in the email subject line.
Have your say
Privacy
Feedback received will be considered by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. The department values your input and accepts that information you provide may be private and personal.
Please note that, regardless of a request for confidentiality, the department may be required by law to release copies of the feedback to third parties in accordance with the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009.
Further information is available in our Privacy statement.