Upgrades to NSW bush fire trails puts communities first

The works span regional, remote and metropolitan fire trails, supporting fire season preparedness as part of the Government's broader $14 million bush fire mitigation program on Crown land.

These upgrades ensure firefighters have safe, reliable and fast access when responding to bush fires, while also improving the long-term resilience of fire trail networks.

Crown Lands, within the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, is responsible for maintaining about 2,120 km of fire trails and 670 hectares of Asset Protection Zones across NSW, providing essential access for emergency crews and their firefighting appliances.

Fire trail upgrades and maintenance projects underway, or recently completed, include:

• An additional allocation of $1 million to capital works for the installation of fire trail infrastructure across metropolitan Sydney to prevent unauthorised access; as well as surface, drainage, capping and structural improvements to fire trails in the Lithgow, Shoalhaven, Queanbeyan, Palerang, Upper Lachlan, Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Cobar, and Bega local council areas.
  
• $600,000 in resurfacing, capping, drainage improvements, vegetation clearing and the installation of fire truck turning and passing bays along the Barrier Fire Trail at Cobar in Far West NSW. This is the second stage of the Barrier Fire Trail network upgrade and completes the Barrier to Lerida and Barrier to Kidman fire trail segments, ensuring standard-compliant, all-weather access for heavy firefighting vehicles across this more than 30km network.
  
• $683,000 in improvements to the Carisbrook Fire Trail at Morton in the Shoalhaven. This includes the installation of a new 13 metre concrete bridge to replace a flood-damaged log bridge over Carisbrook Creek, providing safer access for firefighters. Additional works include upgrading 2.26 km of fire trail to meet NSW Fire Trail Standards and environmental assessments to protect sensitive vegetation.
  
• $1 million in upgrades to Sutherland Shire fire trails at Still Creek, Still Creek Branch Bunyan, Loftus Creek, Viburnum, Turrella, Fremantle, Cranberry, Camp Wanawong, Pipeline (Forbes Creek) and Kingswood over the past two financial years. Works included widening trails, crushed sandstone capping, landslide prevention, culvert repairs, vegetation management, and the installation of truck turning and passing bays.

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:

"Protecting communities from bushfires means investing in the infrastructure that keeps people safe. These upgrades, from new bridges to improved trail surfaces, are practical, effective measures that strengthen access for firefighters and enhance the resilience of local communities.

"We're committed to building better, safer communities, and that includes ensuring fire trails are well maintained, reliable and environmentally responsible."

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

"Having clear and accessible fire trails allow crews to reach fires quickly, carry out hazard reduction work safely, and protect lives and properties.

"These improvements strengthen our frontline capability, bolster our state's preparedness and support the dedicated emergency personnel who put themselves on the line to keep communities safe."