Redeveloping NPWS fire management plans across the Adelaide & Mount Lofty Ranges and Fleurieu Peninsula

NPWS is commencing a process to review and redevelop fire management plans across the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges and Fleurieu Peninsula.

Two new plans will be drafted for all land managed by the Department for Environment and Water (DEW) in these areas. These plans will replace 5 existing NPWS fire management plans: the Hills Face Zone, Onkaparinga Valley, Southern Foothills, South Para Collaborative and South-Western Fleurieu Peninsula.

The latest science with local knowledge

NPWS fire management plans will be developed using the latest fire science, knowledge, and computer-based tools to make them more effective and in line with national best practice.

To assess bushfire risk and develop appropriate strategies, NPWS will use a number of datasets, models and tools including:

• Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges and Fleurieu Bushfire Management Committee bushfire management area plans – identify bushfire risks to assets (e.g. Residential, economic, heritage).
• Phoenix RapidFire – simulates thousands of bushfire scenarios across the landscape to determine the highest risk locations.
• DEW Dynamic Fire and Biodiversity model – uses fire history data with fire-dependent threatened animal species’ habitat requirements, to identify where to focus prescribed burns to maintain optimal habitat.
• Ecological fire management guidelines – provides guidance on fire regimes in native vegetation to best maintain and enhance biodiversity.

This information, along with input from subject matter experts and local stakeholders, will enable plans to be developed which best meet the objectives of fire management (reduce bushfire fuel, manage native vegetation and protect biodiversity) across a range of values and assets (life, property, social, cultural, economic and environmental).

Have your say

DEW engages with stakeholders and the public when developing NPWS fire management plans.

In addition to engaging with key stakeholders in DEW (fire management officers, park rangers, ecologists), NPWS will also engage with key external stakeholders which include, but are not limited to, bushfire management committees (BMCs), Country Fire Service (CFS), First Nations, local councils, Green Adelaide, Landscapes Hills and Fleurieu, and environmental peak bodies.

NPWS will also engage with other state government land mangers (SA Water and ForestrySA) to ensure that effective and appropriate strategies are developed where boundaries are shared.

There is an opportunity to contribute at the following stages:

1. Review existing plans
   We will seek feedback on our 5 existing NPWS fire management plans from key stakeholders, to inform improvements.
2. Public consultation on draft plans
   Once the draft NPWS fire management plans have been developed, you can provide feedback on the strategies identified to address bushfire risk to life, property and the environment and improve ecological outcomes through ecological burning. This is likely to be mid-2025.

Sign up to our FireSide e-news so we can let you know when the draft NPWS fire management plans are ready for consultation.

Contact us

Please get in touch with us if you’d like more information.