Published on Tuesday, 27 October 2026 at 9:00:00 AM

Darlington Bushfire Ready is celebrating an incredible milestone this year, marking 30 years of neighbours working together to help build a safer, better-prepared community.

The Bushfire Ready program is a community-led initiative that helps residents build their knowledge and capacity to prepare for bushfire. At a street level, neighbours can share information, prepare their properties, develop Bushfire Survival Plans and support each other before and during the higher-risk summer months. Darlington has become a strong local example of this approach, with 44 active Bushfire Ready streets recorded last year.  

Colin James, who helped establish Bushfire Ready in Darlington, has spent more than four decades volunteering in emergency management and community safety after joining the Darlington Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade in 1980.  

“Darlington is a high-risk metropolitan area, regarding bushfires. It’s very important that we have that facility available to minimize risk and make sure everyone is prepared the best they can,” said Colin.

Thirty years on, the anniversary is not only an opportunity to celebrate the volunteers and residents who have made Darlington Bushfire Ready a success, but also to encourage more neighbourhoods across the Shire to connect and prepare. 

“It’s very important to know what you need to if a fire day does arrive.”

Interested in getting involved with local bushfire preparedness? Drop into the Darlington Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade station on a Saturday morning or connect with your local Bushfire Ready coordinator to learn more about community initiatives in your area.

Watch the anniversary video below. 

Back to All News