Fire is a natural and essential requirement for the long-term health and viability of the Australian bushland and wildlife. Managing fire is vital for protecting our community, property, ecosystems and habitats.
Council’s role in bushfire management includes:
- Undertaking bushfire mitigation activities on Council-controlled land
- Coordinating disaster management to help communities prepare, respond and recover from natural disasters
- Governing development approvals to ensure new developments meet building codes that consider fire-resistant designs and materials to reduce fire risk, and locating developments outside of high bushfire hazard areas
- Taking enforcement action to address overgrown allotments in urban areas where someone has created a potential fire hazard (for example, a resident has allowed the grass to grow too long)
- Referring incidents of vegetation on private land believed to be a fire hazard to the Queensland Fire Department or Rural Fire Service Queensland (RFSQ).
- Taking measures to prevent the ignition of fires when undertaking Council operations, particularly during periods of total fire bans
- Maintenance of fire hydrants and water access points for use by fire services.
Gladstone Regional Council has management responsibilities for over 1000 parcels of land and numerous road reserves. The bushfire mitigation activities for Council-controlled land are prioritised according to the bushfire hazards of the individual parcel.
Council undertakes the following mitigation activities to reduce fuel loads and manage the bushfire risk associated with our land:
- Mechanical treatment (e.g. slashing, mowing, brush cutting) of vegetation along roadsides
- Creating and maintaining fire trails, fire breaks and fuel management zones
- Vegetation management through fuel load reduction, weed management, slashing, mulching and brushcutting
- Planned burns.
Gladstone Regional Council utilises the Bushfire Mitigation Framework (BMF) to identify the highest priority reserves for bushfire mitigation works. The BMF includes climate change risks and the longer and more intense bushfire seasons we are likely to experience as a result.
In addition to ongoing bushfire mitigation activities, each year Council uses a range of sources - including spatial decision support tools, mapping and on-ground assessment - in understanding and developing priority parcels for fuel reduction burns.
Council has an active role in managing fire risk on Council-controlled land. Management activities may include the strategic placement of fire trails, fire breaks and asset protection zones to help protect people and properties who live close to these reserves.
Fire trails and fire breaks allow emergency services access to respond to emergencies and for fire mitigation activities.
Fire trails are implemented to allow emergency services access to protect lives and property and are different to ‘fire breaks’ that provide a barrier between fire and properties. The design of the fire trail depends on topography and requirements for a safe separation between fire crews and vegetation. In some areas, it is not possible to provide a clear break, such as steep slopes, and in these cases alternative controls would be considered.
Fuel reduction zones are defined as areas in which fuel levels have been reduced to control wildfire intensity. Fuel reduction zones are generally used when a reserve cannot have safely planned burn activities or when a functional fire trail is not able to be established, for example on steeply sloping land.
Planned burns
First Nations cultural burning practices are an important part of keeping Country healthy, protecting biodiversity, and reducing bushfire risk in our region.
Planned burns across our Region are vital in keeping the environment healthy and protecting communities and wildlife from dangerous bushfires. Well-planned burns will reduce fuel load, enhance the ecosystem and minimise bushfire impacts on the community.
Council will always notify the community in advance before any planned burn activities. Residents are informed through our website and social media channels.
Planned burn season
Most planned burns in the Gladstone Region take place between January and August, in line with First Nations fire principles.
2026 Planned Burn Schedule
Planned burns can only take place when weather and site conditions are suitable and are therefore subject to change.
January – March
Storm Burns
- Lot 40SP207327, Mount Biondello, Telina
- Lot 21SP168519, Anderson Way, Agnes Water
- Lot 2RP868285 and 98SP100306 Glenlyon Road and Booroo Road, O'Connell
March – April
Green Burns
- Lot 32CTN524, 62CTN1924, 63CTN1924 and 65CTN1924, Racecourse Road, Builyan
- Lot 1RP902548 and 10SP235954 Marawing Road, Benaraby
- Kelly’s Road between Red Hill Road and Daisy Dell Road
- Lester’s Road and Scott’s Road, between Red Hill Road and southern lease area
March – July
Green Burn
- Lot 21SP168519, Anderson Way, Agnes Water
- Lot 20FD991, Yabby Road, Round Hill, Agnes Water
March – August
Storm Burn
- Lot 152FD1151 and 52SP155903, Agnes Water Skate Park
April – May
Green Burn
- Lot – 22SP178795, Captain Cook Drive to 1770 North
April – July
Green Burn
- Lot 40SP206868, Chinaman’s Beach to Springs Beach
April – August
Green Burn
- Lot 52SP155903, Workman’s Beach to Chinaman’s Beach
May
Hazard Control Burn | Boyne Smelters
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Boyne Smelters are planning a buffer burn behind Boyne Smelters Ltd, located near Lillies Beach in Boyne Island within the Rio Tinto area. While the burn is not expected to impact Lillies Beach, smoke will be visible to the public.
Please note: Council will notify the community in advance of any planned burn activity via public notices on our website.
General information on planned burns
- Planned burns can only take place when weather and site conditions are suitable. Factors such as temperature, soil moisture, humidity, wind speed and wind direction all influence when a burn can occur.
- If conditions are not suitable, the burn will be postponed and reassessed at a later time. An exact date for a planned burn cannot always be confirmed in advance.
- Residents living near planned burn areas will be notified days before a burn takes place via Councils social media and website public notices.
- You may notice smoke during planned burns. These fires are carefully managed, so they burn slowly and at a low intensity.
- Before any burn takes place, Council’s Fire Management team conducts a site assessment of the area. This helps identify plants, wildlife, habitats and built areas that may need protection.
- Sensitive areas such as tree hollows, nests and animal dens are considered during planning to help protect native flora and fauna.
- Council uses the Bushfire Mitigation Framework to identify priority areas for bushfire mitigation works. The framework considers bushfire risk, environmental conditions and climate change impacts.
- In some locations where planned burning cannot be safely carried out, fuel reduction zones may be established. These areas reduce vegetation levels to help limit wildfire intensity.
Health and safety precautions
- Smoke may affect people with asthma or other respiratory conditions. Before a planned burns takes place, residents should close household windows and doors, whilst limiting outdoor activities where possible.
- People with chronic medical conditions should keep their medication nearby and ensure they have enough medication at home to last several days. If you experience difficulty breathing or chest pain, seek medical advice immediately.
See also: Public Notices - Planned Burns
Bushfires are a natural part of the Australian landscape and can impact anywhere in Queensland. Climate change has led to longer and more intense periods of extreme weather and more elevated fire weather days. There is a greater chance of bushfires impacting communities that have not been burnt previously.
Bushfires can move fast and pose a serious threat to life. You don’t have to live in the bush to be threatened by bushfires as embers and smoke can be carried long distances by the wind. Ember attack is the most common way for buildings to ignite in a bushfire. Smoke can exacerbate asthma and other respiratory conditions, as well as irritate the eyes, nose and throat.
Everyone should be prepared for bushfire and it is important you have a plan in place to know what you can do to protect yourself, your family and your property. Develop a bushfire survival plan and implement a routine building and landscape maintenance program to reduce the build-up of leaf debris and fuels around the home. Do not assume a fire crew will be available to assist at every home. Refer to the Queensland Fire Department website for more information on how to prepare your bushfire survival plan.