Cumberland Council is working with local fire authorities to develop a bushfire mitigation plan following a large grass fire in Pemulwuy/Greystanes on 31 December 2019.
The affected area is currently an environmental conservation zone and is not currently zoned by the Rural Fire Service as bushfire-prone land.
“The safety of our residents and firefighting volunteers is our main concern,” said Mayor Steve Christou.
“We were prepared for fire but not for a fire of this scale. We are urgently developing a plan that provides direction and procedures to manage this area into the future.
“This plan will include rezoning the area as bushfire-prone land, particularly along the ridgeline in the Prospect Pine Forest location of Pemulwuy.
“This will give Council and our firefighters, greater scope to carry out hazard reduction burns and other measures to minimise risk. Naturally, any controlled burn will be carried out when weather conditions are more favourable.
“Council will also be increasing its maintenance and clean-up activities in the area, going forward.”
Since the New Year’s Eve incident, Mayor Christou said council has been working in the burnt areas around Hyland Road and Pemulwuy assessing the feasibility of removing vegetation away from houses.
“Hazardous trees have been removed and public access points through burnt area have been cleared,” he said.
“Debris and fallen branches from reserves across the Cumberland Local Government Area are being removed, with priority being given to areas adjoining bushland including Pemulwuy Reserves, Munro St Park, Boothtown Reserve, Campbell Hill Reserve and Wategora Reserve.”
Verges along Hyland Road have been mowed and access tracks in bushland areas have been cleared. Cycleway and pedestrian access to affected areas have also been closed.