Lake Macquarie City Council will focus its fire mitigation efforts on three areas over the next five years as part of a new Bush Fire Risk Management Plan.
Manager Environmental Systems Brendan Callander said the three higher risk areas identified in the plan were Seahampton to Wakefield, Whitebridge to Redhead and Cooranbong to Martinsville.
"Across the rest of the city, our bush fire mitigation activities will continue as usual," he said.
"But the management plan, which covers Lake Macquarie and the Central Coast, highlights those three areas as a priority between now and 2029."
"We'll be increasing our efforts within those precincts to manage fuel loads, reduce the risk of fire and increase community preparedness should a fire take hold."
Focus areas were determined by analysing risk assessment data and gauging community vulnerability and access and exit points for any given location.
The areas require "additional, targeted treatment strategies" within the five-year Bush Fire Risk Management Plan.
A new NSW Rural Fire Service Bush Fire Prone Land Map for Lake Macquarie has also been released, reflecting changes in vegetation cover and management that affect risk levels.
"Under the new assessment, about 800 properties are newly considered bush fire prone, while about 4500 properties are no longer at risk," Mr Callander said.
Development within land prone to bush fire requires a Bushfire Risk Assessment, and construction may need to meet higher standards to protect people and their property.
The RFS also recommends preparation of a bush fire survival plan for people living on land prone to bush fire.
Council's bush fire team will use libraries close to or within the focus areas to help raise awareness of the mitigation campaigns.
"We'll use the library branches to work with the Red Cross to deliver disaster readiness workshops, and bush fire story-times at the Multi-Arts Pavilion, mima, with the NSW Rural Fire Service. We will also distribute bush fire preparedness resources at these events," Mr Callander said.
"Our team will also have a presence at upcoming community events in those areas, such as Morisset Show and West Wallsend Streets Alive, to reach as many people in the community as possible."
Council is responsible for undertaking bush fire mitigation on land it manages.
The Bush Fire Risk Management Plan provides information on the bush fire risks within the local community and outlines strategic measures to manage those risks.
It also defines treatment strategies, to be implemented by land managers and fire authorities, to mitigate the risks.
"This includes maintaining asset protection zones and fire trails, managing access to help prevent ignitions, preparing hazard reduction burns and working with fire authorities and landowners to implement these measures," Mr Callander said.
To check whether your property is among those marked as bush fire prone, go to Council's property enquiry portal at propertyinfo.lakemac.com.au, or visit rfs.nsw.gov.au.
