Bushfires

Bushfire protection

The NSW Government is committed to helping protect homes from the threat of bushfires. Trees and vegetation that act as fuel for bushfires are permitted to be cleared around homes, tourist accommodation, schools, hospitals and child care centres located in bushfire prone areas, without the need to get approval.

The Rural Fires Act 1997 permits vegetation clearing work, known as the 10/50 Vegetation Clearing Scheme including:

• trees and vegetation within 10 metres of specified bushfire prone buildings can be cleared
• undergrowth within 50 metres of specified bushfire prone buildings can be cleared

Areas able to be cleared will be known as ‘10/50’ vegetation clearing entitlement areas and will be determined by the NSW Rural Fire Service. A Code of Practice applies to clearing under the 10/50 scheme.

These provisions will make preparing for bushfire safety easier while making sure that the environment, personal safety and landowners’ rights are still protected.

More information

• 10/50 Vegetation Clearing
• 10/50 Vegetation Clearing Code of Practice
• Frequently asked questions (July 2014)
• Media release: New laws to protect property from bushfires (29 May 2014)
• Rural Fires Act 1997

For information about rebuilding after the 2019 and 2020 bushfires please go to the Bushfire recovery page.