Fire Break Information

Bush Fire Act 1954 as Amended

Notice is hereby given to all land owners in areas requiring compulsory firebreaks that these must be installed by 15 October and maintained free of flammable material as required under the Bush Fire Act 1954 and in accordance with this Notice, approved fire management plans or approved variations to this Notice.

Properties Will be Inspected to Ensure Compliance with Councils Requirements.

ALL RESIDENTIAL AND RURAL LOTS UP TO AND INCLUDING 3.0HA

Flammable materials shall be mowed/slashed/mulched to a maximum height of 7.5cm and maintained for the fire season, with the exception of selected live standing trees and selected shrubs. All buildings/structures must have a 3m clearance of all flammable material. All dead trees/shrubs must be removed from the block unless application is made to retain prior to 15 October and approved.

ALL RESIDENTIAL AND RURAL LOTS OVER 3.0HA

Fire breaks must be continuous bare earth break (No Vegetation) at a width of at least 3m wide and have a minimum overhead clearance (from trees) of 4m or have flammable material mowed/slashed/mulched to a maximum height of 7.5cm over the entire property (excluding managed vegetation such as ornamental trees, distinct islands of vegetation remote from boundaries and assets). All buildings/structures must have a minimum of 3m clearance of all flammable material. All dead trees/shrubs must be removed from the block unless application is made to retain prior to 15 October and approved.

RURAL AREAS

Fire breaks must be continuous, trafficable and are to be graded, ploughed or chemically applied to be free of flammable material 3m wide and overhead clearance of 4m and installed as close as practicably possible inside and along the whole of the external property boundary. Vegetation on the ground (chemically applied), must not exceed a maximum height of 5cm during the fire season. Internal boundaries are not compulsory but highly recommended. Buildings/sheds must have a minimum of 20m clearance of all flammable material.

FUEL DEPOTS AND UNATTENDED COMBUSTION ENGINES

On or before the 15 October all flammable material must be removed from an area 2m in width immediately surrounding an unattended fuel operated combustion engine whether the motor is intended to be used, it is to be maintained clear of grass and flammable material until 7 April.

RECOMMENDED ASSET PROTECTION ZONES

Asset Protection Zones (APZ) are required within a minimum 20m radius of an asset, building, or haystack, where the bushfire fuel load is reduced, free of dead vegetation, and clear of low hanging branches that could carry fire directly to the structure. All grass in an asset/building Protection Zones must be maintained to or under 7.5cm in height. Wood piles and inflammable materials must be stored at a safe distance from habitable buildings. There must be no tree crowns or branches hanging over asset/buildings. Trees are to be under pruned to at least a height of 2 metres from the ground. No tree, or shrub over 2 metres high is to be within 2 metres of an asset/building.

VARIATION TO FIRE BREAKS

If it is impractical to have a fire break immediately inside a boundary for a valid reason(s), such as topographical, you are required to apply to the Shire of Chapman Valley in writing before 14 October.

Note: A variation is not an exemption but an application to employ other methods of fire hazard reduction to your property. Variation forms are available on Shire website.

PENALTY

The penalty for failing to comply with this notice is a fine of $250 Per Title and or a person in default is also liable, whether prosecuted or not, to pay the cost of performing the work in this notice. If it is not carried out by the owner or occupier by the date required by this notice.

HARVESTING OPERATIONS

1. 1. NO harvesting operations are permitted on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day. A separate firefighting appliance is required to be present in any paddock being harvested, chaining, raking stubble, straw baling and associated allied activities during restricted and prohibited periods. The Pursuant to Section 33 of the Bush Fires Act 1954 Notice is hereby given to all landowners in areas requiring compulsory firebreaks under the provisions of the Bush Fires Act 1954. Firebreaks must be installed by 15 October and maintained free of flammable material as required in accordance with this Notice, or approved variation. firefighting unit must be in a state of readiness and have a minimum capacity of 400 litres of water, a powered pump and hose. The farm firefighting unit should be parked on bare ground in or near the harvesting or working area.
      
      
   2. A Harvesting and Movement Ban and Use of Internal Combustion Engines (except for the watering and movement of stock) will be imposed when the actual weather conditions reach a Fire Behaviour Index (FBI) rating off Forty (40) or above at the weather stations of two (2) Bush Fire Control Officers. All such bans are at the discretion of the Chief Bush Fire Control Officer or a duly appointed person.

If a ban has been imposed, all registered people will be sent a text message advising details. All bans will still be broadcast on radio:

ABC Statewide AM 98.1 FM & 96.5 FM

NOTE: Attention of landowners is drawn to the fact that this order allows for provision of firebreaks in situations other than immediately with property boundaries subject to approval. The Chief Bush Fire Control Officer and appointed Fire Control Officers have been authorised to act for Council in this matter.

Failure to Install and Maintain Firebreaks in Accordance with This Notice May Result in a $5000 Penalty.

TREE PLANTATIONS

Construct a 30m wide mineral earth Firebreak around the perimeter of the plantation, with a 4m high vertical clearance of all inflammable material. This being in addition to compliance with the DFES 'Guidelines for Plantation Fire Protection' requirements, the Shire of Chapman Valley 'Tree Farms' Local Planning Policy and specific individual plantation development approval conditions.

BUSH FIRE CONTROL OFFICERS

Fire Control Officers are not obliged to issue permits. 

Permits cannot be issued over the phone and should a Fire Control Officer refuse to issue a permit, its a breach of the Bush Fire Act 1954 to request a permit from another Fire Control Officer.

You MUST have a copy of the permit on you during the burn. 

Bush Fire Services FESA - 0899 560 000

Emergency 000

CONTRACTORS

Central Earthmoving 0459 301 851

Centre Point Earthmoving - Chris Newton 0427 976 833

Graham Hancock 0408 230 421

Midwest Mulching & Mowing 0429 341 306

SMS Group WA 9935 9230

Ivey Contracting (Grading Only) 0428 840 935

Corbett Contracting 0408 172 391

DCR Investments Pty Ltd 0418 555 566

Hill River Contracting 0429 120 182

Kitalpha Park Services 0438 931 365

Peter McCagh 0417 171 423

Richard Jones 0408 913 478

PENALTIES

Failure to install and maintain firebreaks in accordance with this notice may result in a $5000 fine. 


FIRST AND FINAL NOTICE IS HEREBY SERVED TO ALL RESIDENTS AND RATEPAYERS

Firebreak Notice Flyer