Increasing the safety of you and your family in the event of a bushfire requires a range of options. We recommend that all people living in a bushfire prone area have a personal Bushfire Survival Plan. Preparing a Bushfire Survival Plan will help you to identify your options about leaving early or staying to defend your property and developing a contingency plan. 

When a bushfire threatens, whether your decision is to leave early or stay and defend, you should use a Neighbourhood Safer Place (NSP) only as a place of last resort.

An NSP is a local open space or building where people may gather, as a last resort, to seek shelter from a bushfire. Use of an NSP may be your contingency plan when:

• Your Bushfire Survival Plan has failed
• Your plan was to stay but the extent of the fire means that your home cannot withstand the impact of the fire and it is not a safe place to shelter, or
• The fire has escalated and evacuation is your safest option.

The main purpose of an NSP is to provide some level of protection to communities from the effects of a bushfire. Your NSP will not guarantee safety in all circumstances.

Consider the following limitations of an NSP if you plan to use one as a last resort:

• Firefighters may not be present if they are involved in the operational response at other locations. 
• NSPs do not cater for animals or pets.
• NSPs do not provide meals or amenities.
• NSPs may not provide shelter from the elements, particularly flying embers.

If you are a person with special needs, consider what assistance you may require at a NSP.

Although we cannot guarantee an immediate presence during a bushfire, every effort will be made to provide support as soon as resources are available.

As part of your Bushfire Survival Plan, you should identify the travel time and distance to your identified NSP. You should update your plan every year prior to bushfire season and confirm that your identified NSP is still available. Do not drive through fire affected areas to get to your NSP.

Click on your local government area below to view the designated NSP locations in your area. If an NSP has not been identified for your area, continue to monitor this site for updates.

Once you have arrived at your NSP (building) some actions to consider include:

• Continue to monitor information channels (radio, mobile phone, internet) for further details on the fire. 
• As the fire approaches, ensure all doors and windows are sealed as best as possible.
• When the fire has passed, if safe to do so, check for fires and embers outside and if possible, extinguish.
• Remain vigilant for possible new fire fronts from other directions.

Once you have arrived at your NSP (open space), some actions to consider include:

• Continually listen/seek/monitor further information in relation to the fire by whatever means of communication you may have (radio, mobile phone, internet etc)
• As the fire approaches, seek protection from radiant heat and embers as best you can. Attempt to cover any exposed skin with blankets or clothing. You should lie flat on the ground during the passage of the fire front.
• Remain vigilant for possible new fire fronts from other directions.

Remember to complete your Bushfire Survival Plan to ensure that you and your family are prepared and know what to do in the event of a bushfire. For information about how to develop your own Bushfire Survival Plan click here. ​

* Downloadable information sheet