IMPROVED WATER ACCESS FOR PROPERTY FIREFIGHTING
During a fire emergency, a landholder can now take water from surface and groundwater sources on their land without needing to have a water licence and water use approval, and this includes streams, creeks and rivers abutting a boundary.
This water can be used by landholders on their property and adjacent land to fight fires, and can also be used for training and controlled burning when carried out under the authority of a firefighting agency such as the NSW Rural Fire Service.
This exemption has been made via amendments to the Water Management (General) Regulation 2018, in what the NSW Government has described a commonsense reduction in red tape to improve the ability of farmers to fight fires on their own properties.
Under the change, landholders who wish to prepare for the threat of bushfires can now also lawfully take water and store it in a tank or dam for future firefighting purposes.
The maximum volume allowed for each property is 100,000 litres (0.1 ML) per year.
The NSW government will carry out targeted periodic surveys of landholders to monitor how the exemption is being used.
While landholders will not be required to submit reports, they are encouraged to log the volume of water they take under the exemption, for their own records.
Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib said the change will further empower landholders to deal with a fire threat.

UNREGISTERED FARM UNITS TO TAKE PART IN FIREFIGHTING TRIAL
Farmers are being urged to take part in an operational trial of Farm Fire Units, under a NSW Government project that will run until 31 March.
Under the trial, private farm vehicles that are used for firefighting purposes – generally known as Farm Fire Units or Farm Fire Fighting Vehicles – can be used unregistered under certain conditions.
NSW Farmers representative John Lowe said the current catastrophic damage being caused by bushfires overseas was a stark reminder of the importance of having key firefighting tools available in emergency situations.
“These out of season bushfires are burning out of control in the United States, and is a stark reminder of how fires here in New South Wales could get out of hand if we don’t have the right tools available locally,” he said.
“If you’ve got a vehicle that’s in a safe operating condition and has firefighting equipment permanently attached, then we strongly encourage you to nominate it for the trial as soon as possible.”
NSW Farmers is hoping the trial will lead to a permanent agreement on using unregistered farm firefighting fleet legally and under the protection of third-party insurance.
Interested landholders should use the Farm Fire Fighting Vehicle Nomination Form which is downloadable from the website: nsw.gov.au.

REMINDER TO MAKE YOUR HOME BUSH FIRE READY
As we approach the middle of summer, the NSW Rural Fire Service has issued a reminder that it is never too late or too soon to reduce the risk of bush fire damage to your property.
The Rural Fire Service recommends its top five steps that every home owner in a bush fire risk area should undertake:
Clear and remove all the debris and leaves from the gutters surrounding your home (burning embers can set your residence on fire).
Mow grass and remove the cuttings. Having a cleared area around your home will give firefighters a safe area to work.
Remove material that can burn from around your home. This includes items such as door mats, wood piles, mulch, leaves and outdoor furniture.
Trim overhanging trees and shrubs. This can stop a fire spreading to your home.
Prepare sturdy hoses that can reach all around your home. Make sure you have a reliable source of water (pool, tank, dam) and a diesel/petrol pump available.
RFS North West Zone Inspector Boyd Townsend said that with the summer months bringing an increase in grassland curing, heightening the likelihood of bush and grass fire ignition, landowners should also be giving attention to fire breaks.
“Being a proactive landowner increases your chances of protecting your property from fire,” he said. “Maintaining fire breaks around buildings, crops, pasture, storage areas, and along fence lines, can help to prevent fire escaping from, or entering, your property.”
Press Release.