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.

PROHIBITED BURNING PERIOD

YUNA (Zone 2)

15 October to 14 February

ALL OTHER AREAS (Zone 4)

15 October to 14 February

STRICTLY NO BURNING


RESTRICTED BURNING PERIOD

YUNA (Zone 2)

1 September to 14 October

15 February to 7 April

ALL OTHER AREAS (Zone 4)

1 September to 14 October

15 February to 7 April

PERMITS ARE REQUIRED

COMPULSORY FIREBREAKS

(Zone 4)

Nabawa / Yetna / Howatharra 

15 October to 7 April

SMALL LOTS RESIDENTIAL & SPECIAL RURAL / RURAL RESIDENTIAL / RURAL SMALL HOLDINGS UP TO 3.0HA
Mowed, slashed to a maximum height of 7.5cm. Mineral earth (bare earth) firebreaks not permitted.
All structures and buildings must have a minimum 2m clearance of all flammable material. All dead trees, shrubs must be removed from block unless application is made to retain dead trees, shrubs prior to 15 October and approved. Exemptions will only be considered if presented in writing by 15 October.

RESIDENTIAL & SPECIAL RURAL / RURAL RESIDENTIAL / RURAL SMALL HOLDINGS 3.0HA PLUS
Fire breaks must be mineral earth (bare earth) a minimum 3m wide and have minimum overhead clearance 4m or have flammable material graded, mowed or slashed 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 structures and buildings must have a minimum 3m clearance of all flammable material. All dead trees, shrubs must be removed from block unless application is made to retain dead trees, shrubs prior to 15 October and approved. Exemptions will only be considered if presented in writing by 15 October.

If it is considered for any reason to be impracticable to clear firebreaks as required by this notice, or if you consider natural features render firebreaks unnecessary, you may make your case in writing to the Shire.

FUEL PUMPS (FUEL DEPOTS)
On or before the 15 October all grass and similar material is to be cleared from such places where drum ramps are located and where drums, empty or full, are stored and such areas to be maintained cleared of grass and similar flammable material until 15 March.

FIRE MANAGEMENT PLANS
If your property has an approved fire management plan in place then you are to comply with the requirements of that plan in full.

FARM BUILDINGS AND UNATTENDED ELECTRIC MOTORS AND HAY STACKS
Fire breaks at least 2m in width completely surrounding and not more than 20m from the perimeter of any building, group of buildings or haystacks. All flammable material must be removed from an area 3m in width immediately surrounding the building. All flammable material must be removed from an area 3m in width immediately surrounding an unattended electric motor site.

UNATTENDED FUEL OPERATED MOTORS
All flammable material must be removed from an area 2m in width immediately surrounding an unattended fuel operated motor whether the motor is intended to be used or not.

RURAL LAND
Firebreaks must be provided not less than 2m in width inside and along the whole of the external boundaries of the properties owned or occupied; where this is not practicable the firebreaks must be provided as near as possible to, and within, such boundaries.

BARBEQUES AND INCINERATORS
Gas and electric barbeques are permitted any time. Solid fuel barbeques and incinerators are PROHIBITED on days of VERY HIGH FIRE DANGER or above.

PENALTY
The penalty for failing to comply with this notice is a fine of up to $250 and 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. No harvesting operations are permitted on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day. A separate fire fighting fire 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 fire fighting unit must be in a state of readiness and have a minimum capacity of 400L of water, a powered pump and hose. The farm fire fighting 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 Danger rating of thirty five (35) on the maximum wind speed at the weather stations of two (2) bush fire brigades. 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 persons registered will be sent a text message advising of details. All bans will still be broadcast on radio:
ABC State wide 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 Newman - 0427 976 833

Graham Hancock - 0408 230 421

Midwest Mulching & Mowing - 0429 341 306

SMS Group WA - 0899 359 230

Ivey Contracting (Grading Only) - 0428 840 935

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