Ecologically Sensitive Bushfire Management
The Bushfire Program, established in 1977, is the NCC’s longest-running Healthy Ecosystem Program. The program has been pivotal in bridging contrasting views on bushfire management among interest groups. It plays a key role in advancing sustainable fire management in NSW, with the aim of ensuring that all bushfire management is ecologically sensitive while also protecting life and property. There is a strong focus on platforming bushfire and conservation issues, and to date the program has delivered 14 biennial bushfire conferences and over 110 workshops, as well as providing detailed, practical, and constructive input into policy review and development. The Bushfire Program’s submissions are based on the best available science, operational knowledge, and regional input from NCC BFMC representatives and other land management agencies. Under the Rural Fires Act 1997, NCC is able to appoint representatives to the Rural Fire Service Advisory Council (RFSAC), the NSW Bush Fire Coordinating Committee (BFCC), and Bush Fire Management Committees (BFMCs) located throughout NSW. Learn more about our bushfire committees.
Biennial Bushfire Conference
The Bushfire Program has been running a biennial bushfire conference since 1994, bringing together a unique blend of agencies, academics, Traditional Owners and on-ground practitioners to discuss the latest research, practices and ideas in ecologically sound bushfire management.
Be the first to hear about tickets, speakers and more by signing up to our conference newsletter. Contact [email protected] to sign up.
Click here for our NCC Bushfire Conference 2025
Access the recordings and materials from our 2025 hybrid conference Can We Burn to Learn? Sustaining people, nature and Country here.
Access the recordings and materials from our 2023 hybrid conference Managing Bushfire Together: Applying science, skills and stories here.
Access the recordings and materials from our 2021 online conference, Cool, Warm, Hot: the burning questions here.
Informing Policy and Practice
Knowledge exchange and the dissemination of peer-reviewed science is a critical component of sound environmental management. We regularly run workshops, conferences, and forums to help people and organisations get together to discuss bushfire and conservation issues. The Bushfire Program also reviews policy and provides advice on ecologically sustainable fire management.
Preparing For Fire Workshop Program
Our Preparing For Fire interactive workshop series is designed for communities on the urban-bushland fringe where the risk of bushfire is high and the bushland is especially important for conservation. Learn more.
Fire and Restoration Network
The Fire and Restoration Network was developed to share project stories and support discussions about how fire is being used for ecological restoration. The site provides a place for practitioners and researchers to share experiences, challenges, questions and new ideas. We invite you to read our articles, view related resources and contribute to discussions on fire and weeds, fauna, Cultural burning, restoration principles, thresholds and more. You can learn more about the network here.
As part of the network, we produce a newsletter with the latest stories from the site, interesting resources and updates on our biennial Bushfire Conference. Subscribe to the Fire and Restoration newsletter below:
Resources
The Bushfire Program produces fact sheets and other materials, ranging from information on general fire ecology through to how to better protect your property from bush fire.
Resources for our BFMC representatives
2019/20 NSW Bushfire Inquiry Final Report
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Policy and Submissions
The Bushfire Program advocates for sustainable land policy and has a voice in relevant NSW policy decisions. Below are some documents we have submitted recommendations to:
Introduction of IMZs in Bush Fire Risk Management Plans - Advice Note - Revised June 2024
NSW Independent Inquiry into the 2019-20 Bushfire Season - NCC Submission
NSW Independent Inquiry into the 2019-20 Bushfire Season - NCC Submission Guide
10/50 Vegetation clearing code of practice for New South Wales
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Bush Fire Risk Management Plans
Bush Fire Management Committee across NSW are currently updating their Bush Fire Risk Management Plans for the next five years. Bush Fire Management Plans outline the types of work scheduled to deal with the risk of bush fires in an area. These works may range from a community engagement event to hazard reduction activities. See which plans are currently on public exhibition below:
