Pathways should use non-slip, non-combustible surfaces. This includes:

• concrete
• gravel
• stone
• clay
• pebbles
• hard-packed earth.

Keep them clear of overhanging vegetation.

Consider planting lawns and grasses in strategic locations. This can break up areas of larger, more combustible vegetation. A well-irrigated and maintained lawn can be an effective firebreak. This can be successful when combined with non-combustible features like:

• pathways
• fences
• stone walls.

Try choosing plants that have fire-resistant characteristics and remain green through the summer.

Consider planting a lawn to separate larger, dense areas of trees and shrubs. You should keep lawn and grasses short, well-watered and clear of debris.

Don't plant garden beds close to your house.

Separate garden beds and clumps of trees with areas of lawn, paving, or raised garden beds to help slow or stop the spread of surface fires. Lawns can be planted in strategic locations to break up areas of larger, more combustible vegetation.

Raised garden beds or boxes should be made of a non-combustible material to prevent ignition.

Use noncombustible containers, such as stone or concrete pots, for potted plants.

Keep garden beds moist and free from dry or dead vegetation.

Trees usually provide fuel for bushfires to burn. However, when used strategically they can protect people and buildings from wind and radiant heat exposure. They can also be used to filter embers and flying debris. You should choose species that retain green leaves during bushfire season. Select, plant and maintain trees carefully.

Choose trees that don't:

• Produce excessive amounts of leaf litter, fallen bark or woody debris.
• Have loose, flaky, stringy or ribbon-like bark that can spread fire to the canopy. This can become a dangerous source of fine fuel.

Trees must also be positioned carefully. Make sure you keep trees away from buildings, water supplies, powerlines, accessways, exit routes and defendable spaces. You should also separate large trees to minimise the spread of fire, especially canopy-to-canopy fires.

The maintenance of landscaping has a significant impact on the vulnerability of your home to a bushfire. You should include regular garden maintenance in your bushfire survival plan. Areas of unmanaged vegetation can increase the impacts of a bushfire. This can reduce the chances of people and buildings surviving the event. You should:

• remove dead leaves, branches and loose bark from trees
• remove dead twigs, leaves and needles from shrubs and other smaller plants
• prune excess foliage (especially dead or dry foliage) from trees, shrubs and other woody plants
• remove the lower branches of trees. This reduces the chances for a surface fire to burn up into the canopy – remove branches up to 1.5 metres above the ground, but specific heights will depend on the age of the tree and its species
• keep all lawn and grasses short to reduce fuel load and minimise the chances of surface fire
• trim trees and other vegetation near powerlines.

Mulching can help retain moisture in the soil. While this is important for plant health it can be a significant fire hazard if used and managed incorrectly.

You must keep mulch moist and ensure that mulched areas are clear of large amounts of combustible materials, such as ground litter. 

Non-combustible mulches, such as pebbles, shells and gravel, are the best option.

It's essential that your property maintains appropriate access for fire trucks in case of a surrounding bushfire. Appropriate access means there is room for the trucks to drive onto your property. It also means the trucks won't be too close to bushes and shrubs.

It's not a guarantee that fire trucks will attend your property in the event of a bushfire. However, having appropriate access for the trucks to get on your property means that if they are available, they can help.

Placing low fuel separation areas between developments and the bush, can reduce the Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) for houses in the development. It uses the open space associated with roads to increase the distance between property and and bushland. This can lower their risk in the event of a bushfire.

Fences and garden walls can be barriers to block wind, and shield the house from embers, flames, and radiant heat. They can also help control the spread of debris. They can also help protect people during a bushfire by shielding escape paths. However, if ignited, they can produce flames and radiant heat that can impact the surrounding elements.  

You should use non-combustible materials to build these. Examples include concrete, stone, brick or metal. You should avoid combustible materials, such as timber, bamboo or brushwood. You should also avoid permeable fence styles, such as horizontal or vertical slatted fences, etched metal screens, picket fences, lattices, and wire fences. You should also seal all gaps larger than 2 mm and protect vents and weepholes using metal mesh.  

You should consider installing non-combustible walls around vulnerable objects. This could include gas cylinders, electricity generators, and water pumps.