Thank you to everyone who took the time to provide feedback on the Draft Temporary Access across Fire Trails and Reserves Policy review. We appreciate your time and contribution to this consultation.
During the consultation period, we received 372 visits to the project page on Join the Conversation, 20 survey submissions, and 6 email submissions.
Feedback themes included:
- supportive comments noting that regulated access could improve accessibility for all
- feedback on misuse of fire trails, particularly involving e-bikes and bikes
- suggestions that access should be limited to emergency vehicles or for medical‑related needs
- environmental impacts from private vehicle access
- community safety considerations
- enhanced compliance and enforcement.
Some of the feedback received highlighted that further clarification is needed regarding the intent of the Policy. We want to reassure residents that the purpose of this policy is to protect our parks, reserves, fire trails, and surrounding bushland from damage. Approved applicants must enter into a Licence Agreement with Council, under which stringent conditions are placed to ensure there is no damage to our parks, reserves or fire trails.
The Policy, last adopted by Council in 2022, was updated as part of our rolling review of policies. The updated Policy strengthens existing protections, including a new clause that further limits when Council can grant temporary access.
Importantly, Council does not permit private access through the Mannikin or Deepwater Estate fire trails, consistent with long‑standing Council resolutions and the adopted Plan of Management for the Warrangarree Drive Bushland Reserve.
Only essential works have been approved in recent years under stringent environmental safeguards.
We remain committed to protecting our natural areas and ensuring fire trails are maintained for emergency and operational purposes.
Council Officers are reviewing all feedback to Policy and some changes may be made. The draft Policy is scheduled to be presented at the April 2026 Council Meeting for consideration and adoption.
If you have any further questions, please contact the Assets Strategy & Delivery Team at samconsult@ssc.nsw.gov.au.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to provide feedback on the Draft Temporary Access across Fire Trails and Reserves Policy review. We appreciate your time and contribution to this consultation.
During the consultation period, we received 372 visits to the project page on Join the Conversation, 20 survey submissions, and 6 email submissions.
Feedback themes included:
- supportive comments noting that regulated access could improve accessibility for all
- feedback on misuse of fire trails, particularly involving e-bikes and bikes
- suggestions that access should be limited to emergency vehicles or for medical‑related needs
- environmental impacts from private vehicle access
- community safety considerations
- enhanced compliance and enforcement.
Some of the feedback received highlighted that further clarification is needed regarding the intent of the Policy. We want to reassure residents that the purpose of this policy is to protect our parks, reserves, fire trails, and surrounding bushland from damage. Approved applicants must enter into a Licence Agreement with Council, under which stringent conditions are placed to ensure there is no damage to our parks, reserves or fire trails.
The Policy, last adopted by Council in 2022, was updated as part of our rolling review of policies. The updated Policy strengthens existing protections, including a new clause that further limits when Council can grant temporary access.
Importantly, Council does not permit private access through the Mannikin or Deepwater Estate fire trails, consistent with long‑standing Council resolutions and the adopted Plan of Management for the Warrangarree Drive Bushland Reserve.
Only essential works have been approved in recent years under stringent environmental safeguards.
We remain committed to protecting our natural areas and ensuring fire trails are maintained for emergency and operational purposes.
Council Officers are reviewing all feedback to Policy and some changes may be made. The draft Policy is scheduled to be presented at the April 2026 Council Meeting for consideration and adoption.
If you have any further questions, please contact the Assets Strategy & Delivery Team at samconsult@ssc.nsw.gov.au.
Temporary Access across Fire Trails & Reserves Policy