Draft State Bushfire Management Plan 2021-2025

Consultation has concluded

About

Have your say on the key priorities for bushfire management in South Australia to build a safer, better prepared and more resilient state.

What’s being decided?

We have prepared the draft State Bushfire Management Plan 2021-2025 (the Plan) in response to the Independent Review into South Australia's 2019-20 Bushfire Season.

The Plan:

  • helps to create the foundations for government, non-government organisations and the community to work together to manage bushfire risk in South Australia.
  • aims to provide guidance to the State Bushfire Coordination Committee (SBCC), Bushfire Management Committee, and other relevant agencies and organisations, regarding bushfire management within

About

Have your say on the key priorities for bushfire management in South Australia to build a safer, better prepared and more resilient state.

What’s being decided?

We have prepared the draft State Bushfire Management Plan 2021-2025 (the Plan) in response to the Independent Review into South Australia's 2019-20 Bushfire Season.

The Plan:

  • helps to create the foundations for government, non-government organisations and the community to work together to manage bushfire risk in South Australia.
  • aims to provide guidance to the State Bushfire Coordination Committee (SBCC), Bushfire Management Committee, and other relevant agencies and organisations, regarding bushfire management within South Australia.
  • helps guide the implementation of the reforms identified in the Independent Review into South Australia's 2019-20 Bushfire Season.
  • aims to improve existing processes to better support those organisations responsible for bushfire management.

The summary of the Plan outlines an overview of the scope, responsibilities, objectives, actions and expected outcomes of the Plan.

All South Australians have a part to play in managing their risk from bushfire.

We want to know how the SBCC can better support businesses and the overall community in managing the bushfire season during the next four years.

Get involved

Read the draft State Bushfire Management Plan 2021-2025 and the Plan summary.

Have your say by:

State Bushfire Coordination Committee
C/-SACFS, PO Box 2468
ADELAIDE SA 5001

How can your input influence the decision?

Your input will help to identify the issues and the strategies to support communities, individuals and agencies working together to manage bushfire risk in South Australia.

What are the next steps?

The SBCC will consider your feedback and where possible, incorporate it in the final State Bushfire Management Plan.

The Plan will be published on this site and the SACFS website. The committee will then commence work on implementing the strategies and actions.

Contact details

For general inquiries, please email us at CFS.SBCC@sa.gov.au.

Closing date: 5pm, Monday 3 May 2021



Background

The Independent Review into South Australia's 2019-20 Bushfire Season identified that the approach to bushfire management set out in the Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005 (SA) had not been fully implemented. This included the development of the Plan.

As a result of the Government's Response to the Independent Review, the State Bushfire Coordination Committee (SBCC) has prepared the Plan to guide the bushfire management activities of its members.

‘Bushfire management’ refers to the management of bushfire risk across the spectrum of:

  • Prevention
  • Preparedness
  • Response
  • Recovery

The members of the State Bushfire Coordination Committee are representatives from the following agencies and organisations:

  • SA Country Fire Service
  • SA Metropolitan Fire Service
  • SAPOL
  • Department for Environment and Water
  • Landscape SA
  • Native Vegetation Council
  • SA Water
  • Forestry SA
  • Department for Infrastructure and Transport
  • Attorney-General's Department - Planning and Land Use Services
  • Primary Industries and Regions SA
  • Local Government Association
  • Outback Communities Authority
  • SA Power Networks
  • Bureau of Meteorology
  • Country Fire Service Volunteers Association
  • Conservation Council of South Australia
  • Primary Producers South Australia

All landholders and community members have a part to play in managing their risk from bushfire.

The State Bushfire Coordination Committee (SBCC) members are keen to hear how their activities can better support individuals, businesses and communities.

If viewing this has raised any concerns for you, contact:

Consultation has concluded

  • State Bushfire Management Plan 2021-2025 - Approved

    The Plan has been developed by the State Bushfire Coordination Committee to guide the key priorities for bushfire management in South Australia over the coming four years. The draft Plan was open for public consultation from 22nd March to 5th May 2021.

    The final Plan has been approved by the Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services, having been endorsed by the Chief Officers of the SACFS and the SAMFS and the SBCC, in accordance with the Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005 (SA).

    The full Plan document and a summary of the Plan are available for download.

    The SBCC will now proceed to develop an implementation plan for the key actions to be overseen by the Committee, and further information on these processes will be provided in due course.

    Submissions Received during public consultation:

    A total of 22 submissions were received from the following agencies and organisations, and 4 from individuals:

    Agencies and Organisations:

    Adelaide Hills Council Attorney General's Department - Planning & Land Use Services City of Tea Tree Gully
    Conservation Council of South Australia Department for Environment and Water Department for Education
    Department for Health and Wellbeing (late submission) Department of Primary Industries and Regions Department of the Premier and Cabinet
    Green Triangle Fire Alliance Heritage and Native Vegetation - Department for Environment and Water Institute of Foresters of Australia and Australian Forest Growers
    KI Plantation Timbers Livestock SA Local Government Association of South Australia
    OneFortyOne Plantations SA Power Networks SA State Emergency Service
    SA Wine Industry Association Murrayland & Riverland Landscape Board Nature Conservation Society of South Australia
    Naracoorte Lucindale Council

    Individuals

    Mr Chris Darling Dr Naomi Rea
    Mr Tim Kelly Yuna Julia

    12 discussion posts from 7 individuals were made on the YourSAy site, and 31 responses were received to an online survey also made available through the YourSAy site. It is noted that the survey questions and responses were focused on implementation actions rather than on the plan itself. Both the discussion posts and survey responses will be retained for further consideration during the implementation phase of the Plan document.

    Major amendments made:

    In summary, the major amendments made to the final draft were (this is not a complete list):

    • Inclusion of additional SBCC Action 2.2 to review the structure and composition of the SBCC and BMCs, including but not limited to: addressing the relationship with the Fire Prevention Strategic Alliance and Heads of Agencies group, and considering representation of Indigenous Australians and the forestry industry;
    • Inclusion of an additional SBCC Action 2.5 regarding identification of data gaps and improving data utilisation to support bushfire risk assessments;
    • Clarification of environmental approvals processes as including regulation, policy and impact assessment processes;
    • Clarification that the BMAP Handbook review will incorporate the zone standard and risk assessment process for environmental assets;
    • Updating of all references to the planning and development assessment framework in relation to the operation of the Planning Development and Infrastructure Act 2016 (SA);
    • Inclusion of a number of additional coordination actions, including: farm fire unit integration, environmental impact assessment as part of damage assessment, cross-border coordination arrangements.

    Many comments received were relevant to:

    • the implementation of bushfire management area plans, or implementation of other SBCC actions (eg. in relation to governance, or environmental approvals processes); or
    • other operational matters within SBCC member agencies.

    All comments made relating to the implementation phase of actions contained in the Plan document will be retained for consideration as those actions are progressed.

    All comments relating to operational matters within SBCC member agencies have been formally referred to those agencies for their review and consideration.


    Committee Governance

    The members of the SBCC are gazetted for a three year term. The new term of the SBCC commenced 14 November 2020.

    SBCC and BMC Guidelines and Terms of Reference

    2021 SBCC Meeting Dates: 19th March, 14th May, 13th August & 12th November (dates may change subject to SBCC project priorities)

    SBCC Meeting Minutes*:

    *Minutes from this term of the SBCC will be posted here as they are confirmed. To obtain copies of Minutes from the previous term of the SBCC please request through the below email.

    SBCC Communiques**:

    **A summary of key outcomes or information from SBCC meetings will be posted here.

    For more information contact the SBCC:

    Email: CFS.SBCC@sa.gov.au

    The State Bushfire Coordination Committee (SBCC) is responsible for bushfire management planning in SA. The SBCC has divided the State into 9 Bushfire Management Areas. There is a sub-Committee, Bushfire Management Committee (BMC), for each area. Each BMC has prepared a Bushfire Management Area Plan (BMAP) for its area.

    Bushfire Management Area Plans identify the risks and actions individuals organisations can take to reduce bushfire risk.

    The 9 Bushfire Management Areas are listed below and each title links to the relevant Bushfire Management Area Plan:

    Note: The maps that form part of each BMAP do not show building planning zones. Please refer to Building or developing in bushfire prone areas and use the Property Location Browser.

    If you have any questions about the Bushfire Management Area Plan for your area or you would like to be added to the list for future public consultations contact the Bushfire Management Planning Unit.

  • Plan summary

    Below is a summary of the draft State Bushfire Management Plan 2021-2025.

    The Plan summary is also available as a PDF download.

    Vision

    Communities, individuals and agencies working together to deliver coordinated management of bushfire risk in South Australia.

    Mission

    To build a safer, better prepared and more bushfire resilient South Australia, by facilitating coordination of bushfire risk management arrangements through developing and reinforcing successful partnerships among fire, land management and allied agencies together with representative organisations; and by engaging and sharing responsibility with the community.

    Purpose and introduction

    This State Bushfire Management Plan (the SBMP) has been prepared by the State Bushfire Coordination Committee (SBCC) for South Australia in accordance with the requirements of the Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005 (SA) (‘the FES Act’).

    Role of the State Bushfire Coordination Committee

    The SBCC is a State-level South Australian Government Committee made up of representatives of fire and land management and allied agencies and representative organisations*, with executive support provided by the South Australian Country Fire Service (SACFS). The SBCC is tasked under the FES Act (s.71A) with the following functions:

    Coordination and integration among fire and land managers and allied agencies to manage bushfire risk.

    ‘Coordination’ in this context is focused on enabling and facilitating partnerships among individuals and organisations with responsibilities for bushfire management – promoting shared responsibility.

    The SBCC cannot direct agencies to undertake activities or adopt policy. Instead, the Committee brings together key stakeholders in bushfire management at a State level to share information and encourage collaboration in a formal setting. Bushfire Management Committees also have this function at a regional level throughout the State.

    Oversight, guidance and assurance at a state level regarding bushfire management and of Bushfire Management Committee (BMC) processes and activities, including the preparation and implementation of Bushfire Management Area Plans (BMAPs) for all areas of the State at risk from bushfire.

    The SBCC has the direct responsibility for:

    • the development and implementation of the SBMP
    • the development of standards governing the development and implementation of BMAPs as an integral part of the SBMP
    • overseeing the implementation of the SBMP, and reporting to the Minister on any failure or delay in this process. The SBCC is required to report annually through the Minister to the Parliament on its activities.

    Promoting public awareness of bushfire risk and management, and bringing the community with us on the journey to build understanding of risk and resilience.

    Community engagement in bushfire management occurs through the Bushfire Management Area Planning process, which occurs under the auspices of the SBCC and BMCs. While the SBCC may convene public forums, it will generally delegate activities supporting public awareness of bushfire risk and management to the Hazard Leader, the South Australian Country Fire Service (SACFS).

    However, it is the role of all agencies with responsibilities for aspects of bushfire management to promote public awareness of bushfire risk within their area of responsibility.

    Bushfire management in South Australia is governed through a two-tiered structure established under the FES Act: at the State level through the SBCC, and across nine Bushfire Management Areas through Bushfire Management Committees (BMCs).

    Both levels of Committees include representatives of fire and land management and allied agencies and representative organisations.

    *'Allied agencies’ – agencies that do not necessarily have direct land management responsibilities but have responsibilities to manage bushfire risk; 'Representative organisations' – organisations with an identified interest in bushfire management who do not have regulatory responsibilities for the implementation or oversight of bushfire management activities.

    Scope of the State Bushfire Management Plan

    The SBCC is required under s.73 of the FES Act to prepare a SBMP to support:

    • identification of major bushfire risks in South Australia, with a focus on understanding existential risks from bushfire at the strategic level
    • appropriate levels of hazard reduction
    • strategic coordination of bushfire management activities among fire and land managers and allied agencies across the Prevention, Preparedness, Response and Recovery (PPRR) spectrum
    • requirements for preparation and implementation of Bushfire Management Area Plans, which provide for the management of landscape risk at the regional scale.

    The Plan sets out:

    • legislation and governance arrangements for bushfire management in South Australia
    • the context for bushfire risk in the State and the initial scope for a state-level bushfire risk assessment, focusing on existential risks, and the relationship between these high-level strategic risks and landscape risk
    • coordination actions treating bushfire risk across the PPRR spectrum
    • reporting and Review processes for the SBCC against the SBMP
    • includes the Bushfire Management Area Plan Handbook as part of the Plan itself, reflecting the requirement of s.73(4)(c).

    The actions in this Plan are divided into 2 groups:

    • ‘SBCC Actions’ – these are actions that are the direct responsibility of the SBCC - It is envisaged that annual works plans will be developed to support the implementation of the SBCC Actions.
    • ‘Coordination Actions’ – these include existing and ongoing actions, as well as new actions resulting from the Government’s Response to the Independent Review, or other reforms, being undertaken by SBCC Member and allied agencies.

    It is important to note that the SBCC has no authority to direct the implementation of these coordination actions, but it does have a function in supporting their coordination through encouraging information sharing and collaboration among the agencies responsible for their delivery.

    Priorities for bushfire risk management

    The SBMP priorities for bushfire risk management reflect:

    • primacy of life protection (focusing on community and firefighter safety)
    • protection of all classes of asset at risk from bushfire, namely: human settlement, economic, cultural and environmental assets
    • well informed and prepared Government agencies, organisations, businesses and communities
    • timely transition to recovery operations.

    Strategic Alignment

    The SBMP seeks to support and align with the following:

    Reporting and Review

    As the first Plan of its type, in addition to annual review following the annual reporting process, there will be a mid-term (2 year) review of this 4-year plan.

    The mid-term review will consider progress against the Plan’s objectives, and identify areas for improvement.

    Objectives and SBCC Actions

    SBCC Members undertake a range of activities supporting bushfire prevention.

    The following activities will continue, together with new activities as mandated by the Government’s Response to the Independent Review or other new activities, as noted in the table's included in the link below.

    Note that where the actions are mandated in the Government’s Response to the Independent Review, these are annotated as ‘(Government’s Response Action #)’.

    Support agencies are indicated in brackets following the lead agency/agencies.

    The objectives and SBCC actions are included within our Plan summary PDF.

  • What you believe are the key issues and opportunities to build a safer, better prepared and more resilient South Australia?

    Download the transcript of the discussion which includes all comments posted on the discussion board.

    The State Bushfire Management Plan 2021-2025 (Plan) helps to create the foundations for government, non-government organisations and the community to work together to manage bushfire risk in South Australia.

    We want your views on what you believe are the key issues and opportunities to build a safer, better prepared and more resilient South Australia.

    To help prompt your feedback, consider the following questions:

    • What are your top 3 priorities for bushfire management in South Australia over the next 4 years?
    • What would assist you as a landholder and/or business owner to better understand your bushfire risk?
    • What would help you to better prepare your property/business for the bushfire season?
    • Read the draft State Bushfire Management Plan 2021-2025 and the Plan summary.

    Have your say by commenting below.