Government split over bushfire land clearing rules We’re sorry, this service is currently unavailable. Please try again later. Dismiss Government split over bushfire land clearing rules Normal text size Advertisement NSW Environment Minister Matt Kean is reportedly concerned about the impact a controversial bushfire protection policy will have on bushland as a fire-prone council in his own electorate seeks to be exempt. Hornsby Liberal mayor Philip Ruddock said a rural boundary clearing code being brought before cabinet next week could potentially result in the clearing of 1035 hectares, or half the vegetation on rural-zoned lands within the local government area.