Bushfire risk management

Like all landholders in Queensland, we have an obligation under the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1990 to manage fire risk on the lands we own.

We are committed to managing bushfire risk across the state-controlled road corridor, which is more than 33,000km long.

The state-controlled road corridor plays a vital role in bushfire management across the landscape. The road network is a significant and extensive firebreak providing low-fuel and fuel-free corridors for preventing and responding to bushfires. The road network also provides entry and exits to bushfire impacted communities and allows us to move supplies and resources during recovery.

We recognise that there is a possibility of bushfires starting on, spreading through, or off the state-controlled road corridor. This is why our fuel load management strategy is managed through the bushfire fuel management program across the state-controlled road corridor.

Treatment activities under this program include:

• slashing and mowing
• constructing firebreaks
• grazing
• applying herbicide
• trimming and pruning
• clearing
• prescribed burning.

We undertake a statewide risk assessment process to identify priority areas for treatment. This assessment process considers:

• fuel loads/types, topography, and fire danger weather
• legislative implications
• road assets, road operations and transport services
• cultural and environmental heritage values
• adjoining land use and infrastructure.

In areas where treatment is difficult, we work with the Queensland Fire Department to provide funding for firefighting assets and equipment. These assets, which include fixed and mobile water tanks, standpipes, heli-skids, and firefighting trailers, have been purchased, installed, and are managed by the Queensland Fire Department. They play a vital role in bushfire response in these areas.

We recognise that effective management of bushfire risk across the landscape occurs through collaboration with adjoining landowners. We collaborate to manage bushfire fuel load with other agencies through platforms facilitated by the Queensland Fire Department and outlined in the Queensland Bushfire Plan. We also work with private landowners adjoining the road corridor to facilitate treatment options, particularly prescribed burns.

When treatment options are being undertaken by a third party, departmental approval through a Road Corridor Permit may be required. Use the Permit for Access to Road and Corridor portal to register and apply for a Road Corridor Permit. When arranging a bushfire mitigation activity that includes the state-controlled road corridor, contact our local office to understand if we are able to provide any support.

If the treatment option is a prescribed burn, a Permit to Light Fire may be required from the Queensland Fire Department.

More information on the process for obtaining approval from the Department of Transport and Main Roads to access the state-controlled road corridor for a prescribed burn, and from the Queensland Fire Department to light the fire for a prescribed burn, is provided in Prescribed burns within the state-controlled road corridor. This document has been developed jointly between the Department of Transport and Main Roads and the Queensland Fire Department.

The activities we undertake to manage bushfire risk are recognised as prevention and mitigation activities under the Queensland Prevention, Preparedness, Response and Recovery Disaster Management Guideline. We also play a key role in preparedness, response and recovery activities for natural disasters in Queensland such as floods and bushfires. 

Further information

• QLDTraffic—Information on road conditions in Queensland.
• Bushfires—Information and resources.
• Clearing for bushfire management
• Road safety during flooding and fire
• Temporary restrictions on state-controlled roads due to unplanned events