Are you prepared for summer?
Published on 26 November 2025
A hot and dry fire danger season (starting 1 December in Onkaparinga) is expected for SA, so all South Australians are encouraged to know your risks, and plan and prepare for the worst.
SA Country Fire Service’s (CFS) key message this summer is “Bushfires don’t wait – do your 5 Minute Bushfire Plan before it’s too late”, acknowledging that if you live, work or travel in bushfire risk areas, you need to prepare, plan and be ready.
Getting bushfire ready
Many at-risk residents feel their bushfire danger is low and believe that making a decision on what to do/having a plan in place is not a high priority, which is something the CFS says really needs to change.
The CFS website’s Bushfire Ready webpage is the perfect place to start, linking you with key information on how to prepare your property, packing your emergency kit, creating bushfire plans (including for when you’re holidaying or travelling through bushfire areas), staying informed via multiple sources of information, and more.
The City of Onkaparinga has its own Prepare, Respond, Recover webpage, which includes a range of resources such as detailed guides from the CFS and Australian Red Cross.
Connect with a local community-led disaster resilience group
Another fantastic way to prepare for bushfire season is to connect with a local community-led disaster resilience (CDR) group, which bring residents together to better support each other and prepare their community for emergencies.
There are currently 6 established CDR groups in Onkaparinga – Clarendon, Cherry Gardens/Ironbank, Kangarilla, Seaford/Moana, Sturt Gorge (Coromandel Valley/Craigburn/Flagstaff Hill), and Willunga – all of which welcome new members. Head to the council’s webpage for more info and contact information.
CDR groups are supported by a City of Onkaparinga community connections officer, with Australian Red Cross providing workshops for groups to map strengths and local knowledge to help them develop resilience plans.
Beat the heat
Heatwaves have caused more deaths in Australia than any other natural hazard, so it’s similarly paramount not to be complacent when it comes to the effects of soaring summer temperatures.
The South Australian State Emergency Service and SA Health have a range of tips to care for ourselves and vulnerable family members, friends and neighbours during heatwaves, and to prepare for them.
Onkaparinga’s libraries and community centres provide safe and welcoming spaces where you can shelter if you don’t have air conditioning.
The SA Housing Authority can also activate a Code Red due to heatwaves to reduce the harmful effects on rough sleepers. They do this by connecting people with support services; and providing additional services including extended operating hours for services, increased shelter options, additional food services, sunscreen, etc. The council shares this information on its Facebook page.
How the council prepares for bushfire season
The City of Onkaparinga maintains more than 1,900 hectares of open space and 1,200 kilometres of rural roadside reserves on a rotational basis all year-round.
It’s currently the busiest time of year for grass-cutting as the council’s field staff tackles the peak growth season. Increased rain and warmer weather leads to abundant growth.
The council’s tractor slashing and mowing programs will remain extra busy with the preparation period as the green grass dries out, so staff appreciate your patience.
You can find out more about the council’s mowing schedules – and learn the difference between council roads and those that are maintained by the state government instead – at the council’s website.
Bushfire Preparedness and Resilience Project
The council’s bushfire preparation work and the region’s bushfire resilience has been significantly improved in recent years thanks to the $3.57 million Bushfire Preparedness and Resilience Project 2022–2025, which finished in May.
Funded by a National Emergency Management Agency grant, the project’s strategic focus on fuel load reduction, woody weed control, bushfire risk assessment, and community-led disaster resilience has boosted the region’s long-term safety and environmental sustainability.
Key project achievements include the council’s acquisition and deployment of a high-tech, remote-controlled mower, improving efficiencies in managing the council’s extensive rural roadside reserves and public open spaces.
A targeted woody weed control program has addressed high-risk areas through data-driven prioritisation, significantly reducing fire-prone feral olive tree infestations.
Advanced bushfire risk modelling has identified improvements for existing hazard ratings and informed more effective mitigation strategies.
Additionally, a Tangari Regional Park case study has enhanced conservation and fire management planning, offering a model for broader application.
A comprehensive roadside vegetation survey has contributed valuable data to guide balanced decision making in fire mitigation and biodiversity conservation efforts.
A defining aspect of the project has been its community-led disaster resilience, reinforcing the importance of local engagement in disaster preparedness.
An expansion of community-led disaster resilience groups has fostered stronger collaboration between residents and government agencies, ensuring long-term, community-driven solutions.