NT Fire and Emergency Services (NTFES) has launched the Northern Territory Strategic Bushfire Management Plan, here strengthening the Territory's approach to bushfire prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.
The Plan addresses key recommendations from the Barkly Complex Fires Review and supports a more collaborative, prepared and coordinated approach to bushfire management across the Northern Territory.
The Strategic Bushfire Management Plan promotes early detection and reporting of fires, along with improved coordination between Bushfires NT, NT Fire and Rescue Service, landholders, local councils and ranger groups. This Territory-wide approach will strengthen bushfire management across all land tenures, improve public information, and reinforce collaboration between agencies and stakeholders.
Territorians will benefit from reduced bushfire risk through planned burning and fuel management, improved community preparedness and awareness, strengthened response capability through trained personnel, and increased support for landholders to manage fire safely. Together, these measures will help protect lives, homes, businesses, pastoral assets, cultural sites and the environment.
Implementation of the Plan is funded by Bushfires NT, reflecting the NT Government's commitment to community safety and long-term bushfire resilience.
The Plan establishes Territory-wide principles and a coordinated framework to maximise collaboration between Northern Territory Government agencies and landholders. It has been developed in partnership with landholders, industry representatives, regional committees, Traditional Owners and Ranger Groups.
NTFES will work closely with key stakeholders, including the Department of Tourism and Hospitality, Department of Land Planning and Environment, and the Department of Logistics and Infrastructure, to ensure landholders across the Territory understand their roles and responsibilities in bushfire management.
The Strategic Bushfire Management Plan applies across the Northern Territory, covering all designated fire management and emergency response areas. While fire is a natural part of the NT landscape, unplanned bushfires can pose significant risks to communities, infrastructure, cultural values and the economy.
The Plan replaces the previous Fire Hazard Management Plan and incorporates new framework and management of bushfire-related risks which were recommendations from the Barkly Complex Fires Review. It ensures the Northern Territory maintains a coordinated, risk-based approach to bushfire management across diverse landscapes, while strengthening community resilience and supporting safer communities Territory wide.
The Strategic Bushfire Management Plan here will be distributed to key stakeholders across the NT.
Quotes attributable to Andrew Thomas, Executive Director of Bushfires NT
"The Strategic Bushfire Management Plan represents a strong, NT wide commitment to reducing bushfire risk and building safer, more resilient communities."
"This plan will strengthen collaboration across land tenures, bringing together government agencies, landholders, ranger group and local councils to deliver a unified approach to bushfire management."
"Bushfires NT and NT Fire and Rescue Service will continue to work together with landholders and Territorians to reduce bushfire risks across all land tenures."
"The Barkly Complex Fires were unprecedented in scale, and we are committed to implementing lessons learned into the Strategic Bushfire Management Plan to better prepare and protect our communities."
Quotes attributable to the Member for Barkly Steve Edgington:
"I am pleased to support the launch the Northern Territory Strategic Bushfire Management Plan, which addresses key recommendations from the Barkly Complex Fires Review."
"We're taking action to reduce bushfire risk and protect Territorians. Through planned burning, stronger preparedness and better support for landholders, we're safeguarding lives, homes, businesses and our unique environment."
"The Barkly Complex Fires were unlike anything we've seen before. We are turning hard lessons into decisive action, strengthening our bushfire strategy to safeguard communities into the future."
