NSW has had an incredibly wet three years in a row in and around Sydney

While good rainfall is not a bad thing, it has severely hampered the need to carry out back burning by our members in NSW Rural Fire Service and National Parks and Wildlife Service.

The NSW Rural Fire Service has managed to make-safe just 13,300 hectares since July this year, only 3.5 per cent of its target. NSW national parks have missed burns this year as well. Postponed back-burns of 230 hectares in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park in Sydney’s north, and in the Royal National Park 476 hectares have had to be delayed.

“Where the opportunities arise, our members do get on with it though: 410-hectares in the Hawkesbury have been made safe, and a 70-hectare hazard reduction burn in Brisbane Water National Park near Gosford went ahead recently,” said Assistant General Secretary Troy Wright.

Sydney’s wettest August on record has greatly reduced the numbers of days available to conduct the work our members need to do before fire season. However, the agencies claim they have ensured that work has been completed near towns and homes where it will be of greatest benefit. And in December and January there will be opportunities to focus on hazard burning for grassfires after the wet spring.

“We know our champions of the state in NSW Rural Fire Service, the National Parks and Wildlife Service do everything possible to reduce risks; and we also know they are extremely capable of facing the 2025=2026 fire season, along with the essential services our members in NSW Forestry and Fire and Rescue provide each year,” said Mr Wright. “And they will always have the support of the PSA CPSU NSW.”