Engadine residents are intensifying bushfire preparedness efforts following one of the driest winters on record, with community groups organising working bees and Sutherland Shire Council accelerating hazard reduction work.

The suburb, which borders the Royal National Park, faces bushfire risk every summer. But this year’s unusually dry conditions have raised concerns that the danger season may begin earlier and last longer.

“We’ve had five months without significant rain,” said Rural Fire Service captain Mark Steadman. “The bush is dry. Everyone needs to be ready.”

Community Response

The Engadine Community Bushfire Ready group has organised weekend working bees to help residents prepare their properties:

• Clearing gutters and removing leaf litter
• Creating defendable space around homes
• Checking and testing firefighting pumps
• Removing overhanging branches near buildings
• Clearing access for emergency vehicles

“Many of our older residents can’t do this work themselves,” said group coordinator Patricia Hawkins. “We pair them with younger volunteers who do the physical work while they provide the local knowledge.”

The group has completed property preparations at over 40 homes since June, with another 25 on the waiting list.

Council Initiatives

Sutherland Shire Council has brought forward its annual hazard reduction program, with several burns completed in May and June rather than the usual August-September window.

“The conditions allowed us to burn earlier than planned,” explained council’s Director of Environment, Peter Simmons. “We took advantage of that to get more work done before the risk period begins.”

Council has also increased vegetation management along key access roads and around community facilities that serve as evacuation points.

Prepare to Leave Early

Emergency services are urging residents in bushfire-prone areas to develop and practice their bushfire survival plans now.

Key recommendations include:

• Know your risk: Understand which direction fire is most likely to approach from
• Plan early: Decide at what point you will leave, and where you will go
• Prepare your property: Create defendable space and have firefighting equipment ready
• Stay informed: Register for emergency alerts and monitor conditions
• Check on neighbours: Know who in your street may need assistance

“Leaving early is always the safest option,” emphasised Steadman. “If you have any doubt about your ability to defend your property, leaving early should be your plan.”

Community Resilience

Despite the concerning conditions, Engadine’s strong community networks provide some reassurance.

“We know each other here,” said long-time resident Harold Chen. “When the 2019-20 fires came close, neighbours checked on each other. That’s how we got through it.”

Local businesses have also contributed to preparedness efforts, with the Engadine hardware store donating hose fittings and the local nursery providing free native groundcover plants for residents creating defendable space.

Information Sessions

Sutherland Shire Council and the RFS are running bushfire preparedness information sessions throughout July and August:

• July 19: Engadine Community Centre, 10am
• July 26: Heathcote Community Centre, 2pm
• August 2: Waterfall Community Centre, 10am

Sessions are free but registration is required through the council website.

Residents with questions about property preparedness can contact Sutherland Shire Council’s environment team or their local RFS brigade.