Neighbourhood Safer Places

Neighbourhood Safer Places (NSPs) are a place of last resort during a bush fire emergency. Within the Hornsby Shire they are represented as both buildings and open space.

Their function is to provide a place of last resort for a person to seek shelter during the passage of the bush fire front. An NSP forms part of a person’s backup plan, to be utilised where their intended actions in the face of a bush fire are unable to be implemented or have failed.

NSP Buildings provide 139m separation distance from a bush fire hazard and are maintained to prevent direct flame contact and radiant heat levels of 10kW/m2 (which are unlikely to threaten building elements).

NSP Open Space provide 310m separation distance from a bush fire hazard and are maintained to prevent direct flame contact and radiant heat levels of 2kW/m2 (which are unlikely to cause pain to an unprotected person after one minute of exposure).

Who manages NSPs?

NSPs are designated by the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) in consultation with relevant owners/ operators of potential NSPs. NSPs are considered an asset to be managed within a Bush Fire Risk Management Plan.

Council managed NSP’s must ensure that the asset remains viable as a place of last resort for people to relocate to during a bush fire. Council has an obligation to manage land adjacent to their NSPs in accordance the NSW Rural Fire Service document Standards for Asset Protection Zones.

The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) conduct ongoing formal and informal inspections of NSP sites. Results of inspection are provided to the Bush Fire Management Committee.

Where is my closest NSP?

A list of NSPs within each LGA is maintained on the NSW Rural Fire Service Website. It is important that residents check NSP locations in neighbouring LGAs to identify if they live in closer proximity.