Council supports Byfield community in bushfire preparedness

Published on 01 September 2026

Residents in Byfield and surrounding areas have taken part in a guided tour through Australian Defence Force property to better understand evacuation arrangements and prepare for the upcoming bushfire season.

The tour was part of the annual Byfield Community Bushfire Information Session and Guided Evacuation Tour, delivered through a partnership between Livingstone Shire Council, the Queensland Fire Department, Queensland Police Service, Australian Defence Force and local community stakeholders.

The event supports Council’s broader bushfire mitigation program, which focuses on reducing bushfire risk, strengthening preparedness, and building community resilience across the Shire.

A report presented to Livingstone Shire Council today provided an update on Council’s bushfire mitigation activities, highlighting the range of work being undertaken year-round to reduce risk and strengthen the resilience of communities across Livingstone Shire.

Livingstone Shire Mayor Adam Belot said bushfire mitigation remained a year-round priority for Council.

"Bushfires are a natural part of our landscape and while we cannot eliminate the risk, we can work together to reduce its impact and make sure our communities are as prepared and resilient as possible," Mayor Belot said.

"Council works year-round with the Queensland Fire Department, Rural Fire Brigades, State agencies, land managers and our local communities on a range of bushfire mitigation activities, including hazard reduction, fire trail maintenance, vegetation management, planning and community education.

"Today’s update to Council demonstrates the breadth of this work and the importance of taking a coordinated, year-round approach to bushfire risk reduction across our Shire.

"Community education is a critical part of that work. The more people understand their bushfire risk, know what action to take and have a plan in place, the better prepared our community is to respond when an emergency occurs."

Mayor Belot said the Byfield tour helped residents gain practical knowledge of evacuation arrangements before an emergency.

"Being familiar with evacuation routes before an emergency happens can make an enormous difference when people may need to act quickly under difficult circumstances," he said.

"This unique guided tour gives residents the opportunity to see the route firsthand and speak directly with emergency services, the Australian Defence Force and Council about what to expect and what they can do to prepare.

"It is also an excellent example of the collaboration required to manage bushfire risk across our community. No single agency or organisation can do this alone, and building resilience requires all of us to understand our role."

Queensland Police Service Senior Sergeant Matthew Hows said the session strengthened connections between emergency services and the community.

"This event is essential to keeping the Byfield community well informed and to allow for early intervention should there be a bushfire to ensure community safety," Snr Sgt Hows said.

Queensland Fire Department Community Engagement Coordinator Julianne Webster-Scott reiterated the importance of being prepared for bushfire season.

"It’s critical for the community to know their risk, make a plan and be prepared to act quickly," Julianne said.

Mayor Belot encouraged residents to prepare now and understand their local risks.

"If an emergency occurs, the most important thing residents can do is remain calm, stay informed and follow the advice and instructions of emergency authorities," Mayor Belot said.

"Council’s Disaster Dashboard is a one-stop shop for trusted disaster information, providing real-time warnings, road closures, weather updates, evacuation centres and resources to help residents prepare for, respond to and recover from disaster events.

"Now is the time to prepare. Review your household emergency plan, understand your evacuation options and make sure you know where to access reliable information.

Residents can find more information about preparing for bushfires and disasters through Council’s Disaster and Emergency resources and the Queensland Government’s Get Ready program.