The NSW Government is committed to helping protect the population from bushfire. In line with this, 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 identified bushfire prone areas, without the need to get approval.
Locations that can be cleared are defined in the Rural Fires Act 1997 as ‘10/50 vegetation clearing entitlement areas’. The NSW Rural Fire Service identifies these areas.
A code of practice applies to the scheme, which allows clearing of:
- trees and vegetation within 10 m of specified bushfire-prone buildings
- undergrowth within 50 m of specified bushfire-prone buildings.
For more information read the Keeping communities safe in bushfire season – Frequently asked questions (PDF, 121 KB).