FAQs

A fuel-reduced area surrounding a built asset or structure which provides a buffer zone between a bush fire hazard and an asset. The APZ includes a defendable space within which firefighting operations can be carried out. The size of the required APZ varies with slope, vegetation and forest fire danger index.

Asset Protection Zones are a bushfire protection measure to mitigate the impact of bush fire attack on people and assets. They are required as development standards set out in the NSW RFS Planning for Bushfire Protection guidelines under the NSW Rural Fires Act and the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act.  They are used in two different ways. To prevent the spread of bush fire from bushland areas or to provide a buffer between a hazard and an asset such as a dwelling.

Asset Protection Zones are looked after by the owner or occupier of the land.  They are provided within the property in such a way that they can be maintained in perpetuity.

Asset Protection Zones are determined by the performance criteria and acceptable solutions provided in the NSW RFS Planning for Bushfire Protection guideline. The appropriate APZ distance is based on vegetation type, slope and the type of development.