Bushfire Prepare Program

Cardinia Shire Council established the Bushfire Prepare Program following the introduction of the 2020 Metropolitan Bushfire Management Strategy, which identified Bushfire Risk Engagement Areas (BREAs) on privately owned land. Council recognised a gap in accessible information and resources to support private landholders in reducing bushfire risk within these areas.

Cardinia Shire contains a higher proportion of private land than neighbouring municipalities. Without targeted support for fuel management on private property, a significant level of residual bushfire risk remains.

The Safer Together initiative has contributed seed funding and technical expertise to support the program’s development and implementation. The program will serve as a valuable resource for any council area with privately owned land located within BREAs.

About the program

Bushfire Prepare helps private landholders reduce bushfire risk on properties in high-risk areas. The program treats safety as several layers working together: people (a written household plan), the building, the garden and landscape, and fuel management across the rest of the land. No single action, including planned burning, is enough on its own.

The program seeks to:

  • Support landholders to plan, prepare and manage fuel in ways that fit their property.
  • Strengthen partnerships between Council, the community and fire agencies.
  • Build shared understanding of bushfire risk, resilience and decision-making.
  • Connect emergency-management guidance with practical, community-based action.

Bushfire Prepare principles

  1. Build Individual Capability
    The program supports people to understand their own risk, make informed decisions, and take responsibility for preparing themselves, their families, and their properties.
  2. Start Small and Make Progress
    Preparation is most effective when it is practical and achievable. The program encourages small, manageable actions that build confidence and lead to longer-term preparedness.
  3. Plan for Fuel Management and Bushfire Preparedness
    The program supports participants to develop practical fuel management plans while also considering how they will respond on days of elevated fire risk. This includes understanding the role of low-intensity burning and other fuel reduction activities, assessing property and landscape risks, planning for safer access and defendable space, and making informed decisions about when to stay, when to leave early, and how to enact a bushfire survival plan. Participants are encouraged to align fuel management actions with broader preparedness planning, drawing on CFA’s Plan and Prepare guidance.
  4. Learn Through Doing
    Hands-on activities, local knowledge, and practical experiences—such as low-intensity burning, property walks, fuel management, and community-led projects—help people develop skills and confidence.
  5. Empower Local Action
    Communities are best placed to understand their local landscape, values, and risks. The program supports locally led solutions, partnerships, and decision-making that strengthen bushfire resilience.

Relationship between existing CFA programs and Bushfire Prepare