Water for bushfire preparedness

What’s this about?

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.

Have your say

Have your say by 6 May 2024.

There are 3 ways you can submit feedback.

Phone session

To organise a phone feedback session with the team, send an email to: water.enquiries@dpie.nsw.gov.au