The Clean Energy Council (CEC) welcomes the opportunity to provide this submission to the NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) in relation to the draft Planning for Bush Fire Protection 2026: A Guide for Councils, Planners, Fire Authorities and Developers (Draft PBP).
The CEC also takes this opportunity to thank the NSW RFS for its critical service in firefighting, emergency response and risk mitigation. As climate change contributes to changes in fire weather through its impacts on temperature, relative humidity, fuel moisture content and fuel loads, we recognise the increasingly critical role that the NSW RFS and equivalent agencies in other states play in protecting our communities. We also emphasise the important role of renewable energy in addressing climate change and reducing these risks over time.
As a general comment, we recommend in a number of instances shifting away from prescriptive requirements in the Draft PBP to a risk-based approach that is more tailored and appropriate for the site. This approach reduces onerous conditions where unnecessary and ensures that requirements are suitable where high risk situations arise. Read our full submission in the link below.
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