Works will commence on Monday 19 July to construct a fire trail that will improve safety and access for fire fighters and reduce bushfire risk for the Smiths Lake community.
"An effective partnership between the NSW Rural Fire Service and MidCoast Council" has meant we are now able to ensure this important trail can be completed, delivering improvements in bushfire protection for Smiths Lake," said Mid Coast Bush Fire Management Committee Executive Officer, Inspector Guy Duckworth.
MidCoast Council's Director of Liveable Communities, Paul De Szell said "it has been a complex process, facilitated by Council undertaking a land purchase for the trail that will link New Forster Road with The Lakes Way".
The trail will not be open as a public access road for day to day use, instead it's earmarked as a strategic fire trail for Emergency Service personnel use during a bush fire, suppression or mitigation activities.
During the development of a Community Protection Plan for Smiths Lake, the NSW RFS identified the value that the trail would add to help local volunteer fire fighters and fire fighting agencies.
The project is funded through the NSW Fire Access Fire Trail program and works are expected to be completed by early August, weather permitting.
"Even though we are enjoying regular rainfall right now, we are preparing for the bushfire season ahead and we will be undertaking Get Ready activities and helping the community prepare or update their bushfire survival plans this spring," said Inspector Guy Duckworth.
