Firebreak & Fuel Hazard Reduction Notice 2018-2019 - Shire of Collie
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FIRST AND FINAL NOTICE IS HEREBY SERVED
TO ALL RESIDENTS AND RATEPAYERS.
Firebreak & Fuel
Hazard Reduction Notice
2018-2019
Your legal responsibilities and fire safety information.
Failure to install and maintain firebreaks in accordance
with this Notice may result in a $5000 fine.
This notice and information has effect from 1 August.
All previous firebreak notices are hereby cancelled.
CONTENTS
IMPORTANT DATES 2
FIREBREAK NOTICE 3
BURNING INFORMATION 4
YOUR LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
For Lot Sizes Under 2024m2 11
For Lot Sizes Between 2024m2 and 5 Hectares 12
All Land Over 5 Hectares; including:
Commercial Vineyards and Plantations 13
IMPORTANT DATES
Restricted burning period commences
2 November
Variation to Firebreak and Fuel Hazard Reduction Notice
required before
14 November
Firebreak installed and fuel hazard reduction completed by
Residential 1December
Rural 1December
Prohibited burning period commences
15 December *
Firebreak and Fuel Hazard Maintenance
1 December - 31 May
Restricted burning period commences
15 March
Restricted burning period finishes
30 May
* As dates are subject to seasonal change refer to:
www.colshire.@collie.wa.gov.au or phone 9734 9000 for up to date information
TO REPORT ANY FIRE
DIAL 000
2
FIREBREAK NOTICE
GOOD FIREBREAKS MUST BE CLEAR OF EVERYTHING
IT MAY SAVE A LIFE
BUSH FIRES ACT 1954
SHIRE OF COLLIE
Please read carefully
These are your legal requirements
You are hereby required, and are therefore ordered by the
local government for all property owners/occupiers to comply
with this Notice and/or an approved Bush Fire Management
Plan (BMP) by 1 December each year and maintained
compliance until 31May following for each year and every year.
These requirements are defined further in this Notice by the
relevant property area.
Pursuant to the powers contained in section 33 of the Bush Fires
Act 1954 (as amended) you are hereby required on or before
1 December to remove from your land whether owned or occupied
by you, all flammable material to install unobstructed mineral earth
fire breaks if required that can be trafficable.Thereafter maintain
the land up to and including 31May, in such positions/dimensions as
specified within this Notice, or approved in writing by Council or its
authorised officers.
Landowners should note that restrictions exist on clearing
native vegetation under other legislation. Clearing in
accordance with this Firebreak Notice should be limited to the
extent necessary to comply with this Notice.
FAILURETO COMPLY MAY RESULT IN A $5000 FINE.
COMPLIANT
FIREBREAK
3
Wood or Solid Fuel
Grass Paddock,
WHAT and WHEN can I burn Garden Refuse BBQ, Camp and
Bonfire, Bush
Cooking Fires
Restricted Yes Yes Yes
Burning Period Check Fire Danger
Permit required Permit required
Permits Required Ratings
See Page 5 & 6 See Page 5 & 6
2 November to 14 December See Page 5
4
Prohibited* ALL FIRES ALL FIRES ALL FIRES
BURNING INFORMATION
Burning Period PROHIBITED PROHIBITED PROHIBITED
15 December to 14 March
Restricted Yes Yes Yes
Burning Period Check Fire Danger
Permits required Permit required Ratings Permit required
15 March to 31 May See Page 5 & 6 See Page 5 See Page 5 & 6
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please note: On any day during the restricted burning period
where the fire danger rating is CATASTROPHIC, SEVERE,
EXTREME and VERY HIGH, garden refuse, wood or solid
fuel barbecues, camp & cooking fires or pizza ovens are NOT
permitted to be used under any circumstances. Permits are
automatically cancelled on these days.
Due to unseasonable weather conditions RESTRICTED and
PROHIBITED burning dates may be extended or shortened.
Fire Control Officers have the authority under the Bush Fires
Act 1954 to halt any activity or operation that they deem as
hazardous or likely to start a fire.
Penalties will be enforced by the Shire of Collie for failing to
comply with the annual Firebreak notice.
You must check the local newspaper for details or
call Shire Rangers on 9734 9000 or 0408 931 274
for further information.The fire danger rating can
be found by calling the Bureau of Meteorology SW
information line 1300 659 213.
WHAT CAN I BE FINED IF I DON’T COMPLY?
Failure to comply with this Notice On the Spot Fine of
$250 or prosecution
of up to $5000
Offences relating to lighting fires in $3000
open air
Setting fire to the bush during $250,000 or up to 14
prohibited burning times years imprisonment
Failure of occupier to extinguish $10,000
bush fire
Refusal to state name and abode or $1000
stating false name or abode
Failure to produce to permit to $1000
burn
FIRE PERMIT APPLICATION
Before you call a Fire Control Officer ensure you have the
following information
Who will be the three able bodied persons in attendance
at all times whilst the fire is alight including contact phone
number?
What is the address and/or location number, of the
property for which the permit applies?
What fire-fighting equipment and resources will you have
at the fire and is it in good working order?
5
What is the size of the burn to take place?
Are there firebreaks installed and can a fire appliance get
access to the area?
What material are you burning? Is it dry? Is there any
plastic, tyres, treated posts or woods in the piles or area to
be burnt? If so, remove them to a safe place.
Ensure you give 72 hours notice to the Fire Control
Officer first and then;
Ensure you notify neighbours 72 hours prior to
commencing your burn.
DEFINITIONS
DEFINITIONS
Firebreak: Means a strip of land that has been cleared of
all trees, bushes, grasses and any other object or thing or
flammable material leaving clear bare mineral earth 3 metres
wide and 5 metres vertical clearance.This includes the
trimming back of all overhanging trees, bushes, shrubs and any
other object or thing over the firebreak area.
4 COMPLIANT
BARE EARTH
FIREBREAK MOWED GRASS IS A
NON-COMPLIANT
FIREBREAK
Asset Protection Zone (APZ): Low fuel area immediately
surrounding buildings. Minimum width 20 metres increasing
otection Zones
with up-slope.
Within the APZ ensure;
Firebreak as per Notice
• Tree crowns are a
minimum of 10 metres
Plantation/
Vineyard
apart
• Trees are skirted or
Firebreak extension
pruned up to a height of
2 metres
BPZ – 20m
around • No tree is located
House house
within 2 metres of a
building
• Tree branches do not
Evaporative air conditioner
Water Supply Only
overhang a building
Gas Bottles – 6m clearance
• Ensure there is a gap
1m
from vegetation of at least 3 times the
1mFirebreak extension 5m maturity) of
height (at
4m the shrub5maway from the
Firebreak
Shed extension
4m haystack/
woodpile
building
Dwelling • Lawns are kept short
and Shed and green, where
Dwelling
and Shed 1m 2m possible
2m 2m
1m 6
5m 2m 2m Protection Zone
15m Building 2m
• Trees and shrubs do not have elevated dead material within
the crowns
• Fences and sheds are constructed using non-combustible
materials, but preferably not within the APZ
Hazardous/Flammable: Means any bush, plant, tree, grasses,
vegetable, substance, object, thing or material that may or is
likely to catch fire and burn.
Hazard Separation Zone: The fuel reduced area between
an area of bushfire hazard and the buildings (and associated
asset protection zones) of a development.
Hazard Separation
Hazard Separation Zone diagram
Zone diagram
Extreme Hazard Hazard Separation Zone Asset Protection Zone
Trafficable:
Extreme Hazard
Means to be able to travel from
Hazard Separation Zone
one point
Building Protection Zone
to another in a 4x4 fire vehicle on a firm and stable surface,
unhindered without any obstruction that may endanger
resources. No firebreak is to terminate without provision for
Try and place the print below closer to the picture
egress to a safe place or a cleared turn around area of not less
than a 20 metre radius.
VARIATION TO FIREBREAK AND FUEL
HAZARD REDUCTION NOTICE
Note: Property owners may apply for a variation to manage
their properties reasonably within the environment they live in,
in accordance with the Council Firebreak Notice.
Information is available by calling the Shire Rangers, the Shire
Offices 97349000 or on the shire website – or refer to
Page 14 Variation Guidelines
HAZARD REDUCTION
The installation of a firebreak is only one element of the fire
prevention picture. Firebreaks are required to be installed and
maintained from 1 December until 31 May each and every year.
In some cases firebreaks may have to be reinstalled several
times during the restricted and prohibited period.
7
It is the property owner/occupier, not the contractor
that is responsible for the standard and quality of
the firebreaks installed and maintained.
The installation of firebreaks need to be in harmony with total
fire prevention activities of which some are highlighted below.
Reduction of fuels does not have to be as drastic as removing
all vegetation. Environmentally this would be disastrous and
often trees and plants can provide you with some bushfire
protection from strong winds, intense heat and flying embers.
Methods of hazard reduction:
Hand clearing;
Mechanical clearing;
Chemical spraying (should be undertaken June –
September);
Hazard reduction burning.
In many circumstances, hand and mechanical clearing methods
should be considered the best way to protect assets. These
methods can be safer than burning, and easier to organise and
maintain.
Raking or manual removal of fine fuels: remove fuels
such as fallen leaves, twigs and bark on a regular basis.
Mowing grass: keep grass short, green and well watered.
Slashing and mulching: this is an economical method of
fuel reduction. To be effective, the cut material must either be
removed, be no greater than 5cm in depth or allowed to rot
before summer starts. Slashing and mowing may leave grass in
rows, increasing fuel loading in some places. Mulching or turbo
mowing, also mulches the vegetation leaving the fuel where it
is cut, potentially creating a further hazard if greater than 5cm.
Ploughing and grading: these methods can produce
effective firebreaks, however they need constant maintenance.
Loose soil may erode in steep areas, particularly where there
is high rainfall and strong winds.
8HAZARD REDUCTION PROGRAM
Autumn and Winter (May – August)
Tree pruning – remove lower branches, check that power
lines are clear. Use a professional contractor;
Reduce fuel levels around the house, clear long grass,
leaves, twigs and flammable shrubs;
Ensure petrol and other flammables are safely stored away
from the main dwelling;
Make sure your fire-fighting equipment is in good working
order and serviced when required;
Accommodation providers must make sure all guests are
aware of emergency plan, including evacuation routes.
Spring (September – November)
Move wood piles and stack timber away from the main
dwelling;
Keep grass short;
Install firebreaks in accordance with this Firebreak and Fuel
Hazard Reduction Notice, your approved variation to this
Notice or your approved Bush Fire Management Plan.
Summer (November – May)
Water lawns, trees and shrubs near buildings to keep
green;
Recheck fire-fighting equipment, screens, water supplies
and that gutters remain clear.
Long term precautions
Ensure firebreaks are prepared in accordance with the
latest Firebreak and Fuel Hazard Reduction Notice or any
submitted and approved variation to this Notice or Bush
Fire Management Plan endorsed by Council;
Get basic training in fire-fighting from your local bushfire
brigade or even join your local brigade;
Join or start a Bushfire Ready Group (BRG).
For specific matters, refer to “The Home Owner’s Bushfire
Survival Manual” for guidance on retrofitting and protecting
your property, this document is available on the Shire of
Collie link or by contacting the Shire for a copy.
9ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Trees - live standing trees: Council does not expect you
to remove large trees from or adjacent to boundaries so as to
install the firebreak.The firebreak can simply detour around
the tree/trees so as to afford safe access. This procedure does
not require a Variation to Firebreak Order as long as the
normal dimensions of the firebreak exist.
Roads, verges, bridle paths, footpaths, Emergency
access ways, dual use access ways and reserves: None
of the above can be classified as a firebreak for your property.
Firebreaks must be on your own property to conform to
this Notice. However, any additional fire prevention activities
on verges etc, can be completed on application to Council
in writing and approval received. Removal of indigenous and
substantive trees/vegetation requires Council approval.
Hazard Separation Zone
A hazard separation zone must be provided between extreme
bush fire hazards and buildings to create a minimum separation
distance of up to 100 metres if land is available between
the buildings and the hazard in order to protect them from
burning debris (spotting, airborne embers), radiant heat and
direct flame contact.
Maintenance of firebreak, access and vegetation:
Once your firebreaks, accesses and vegetation have been
managed to meet your legal requirements of this Notice please
ensure that these conditions are maintained all the way through
until 31 May each year. It is normal for re-growth to occur
between December and May, so keep firebreaks, accesses and
mineral earth firebreaks free from obstructions such as fallen
tree limbs and ensure vegetation is maintained to appropriate
levels.
Effective firebreaks:
Firebreaks are there to reduce the spread of a low intensity
fire and to provide safe access on your property to fire-fighters.
Firefighters need to be able to use the firebreak as a place of
safety for themselves and their vehicles where the fire will not
travel under their vehicles or underfoot.
On days of strong winds or extreme conditions it is fully
accepted that a 3 metre firebreak will be unlikely to stop a
wildfire. The more fire prevention work you undertake, the
greater the chance of your family and property surviving the
ravages of fire.
10For Lot Sizes Under 2024m2
YOUR LEGAL REQUIREMENTS ARE:
Compliance Date: 1 December through to 31 May
inclusive each and every year.
Compliance Compliance requirements
Fuel Reduction Where your land is under 2024 square
metres (half acre), all hazardous
material is to be removed from the land
excluding living plants and trees.
Clearance around Grasses are to be slashed, mowed or by
Dwellings and other means, maintained below 10 cms
Outbuildings throughout the period of 1 December
until 31May inclusive.
Vacant land – Where you have a vacant block that has
Cleared blocks been cleared. Grasses are to be slashed,
mowed or by other means, maintained
below 10cm throughout the period of 1
December until 31May inclusive.
Vacant land – Where you have a vacant block that is
Timbered or Bush timbered or bush. Hazardous material is
Block to be removed from the land excluding
living plants and trees. This includes dead
branches, trees, leaf litter, twigs and bark
to an acceptable standard.
Garden refuse and 2 metre clearance is required around all
or wood stacks/ piles piles of garden refuse and or wood.
11For Lot Sizes Between 2024m2 and 5 Hectares
YOUR LEGAL REQUIREMENTS ARE:
Compliance Date: 1 December through to 31 May
inclusive each and every year.
Compliance Compliance requirements
All subdivisions Properties to comply with Approved
with Bush Fire Bush Fire Management Plans, approved
Management Plans/ Variation to Firebreaks, and this Notice.
and or Variations to
Firebreak
Mineral Earth Minimum 3 metre firebreak immediately
Firebreaks inside all boundaries (can be extended to
6 metres of all boundaries) or as stated
in your approved Fire Management Plan.
Exempt if pasture maintained below
10cm.
Clearance around 1 metre horizontal and 5 metres vertical
Dwellings and clearance around all dwellings and
Outbuildings outbuildings.These include sheds, garages,
water tanks, storage containers etc.
Garden beds are allowed within this area
if they are reticulated and maintained.
Asset Protection Area to be free from garden beds,
Zone – 0-20 metres shrubs, plants and grasses, unless it can
around all dwellings be demonstrated to be reticulated and/
or regularly maintained.
Hazardous material is to be removed
excluding living plants and trees.This
includes dead branches, trees, leaf litter,
twigs and bark.To an acceptable standard
of no more than 5cm in depth.
Hazard Separation Low fuel area (up to 5cm in depth) up
Zone to a distance of 100 metres between
the buildings and the hazard if land is
available.
Ungrazed To be slashed, mowed or by other
Pastureland means, maintained below 10cm
throughout the period of 1 December
until 31 May inclusive.
Garden refuse and A 3 metre clearance is required around
or wood stacks/piles all piles of garden refuge and or wood.
Fuel storage & Construct a 4 metre firebreak not closer
haystack protection than 6 metres around haystacks, and
zone immediately around fuel storage tanks or
gas cylinders.
12All Land Over 5 Hectares; including Commercial
Vineyards and Plantations
YOUR LEGAL REQUIREMENTS ARE:
Compliance Date: 1 December through to 31 May
inclusive each and every year.
Compliance Compliance requirements
All subdivisions ALL properties to comply with
with Bush Fire Approved Bush Fire Management
Management Plans/ Plans, Approved Variation to
and or Variations to Firebreaks and this Notice.
Firebreaks
Clearance around 1 metre horizontal and 5 metre
Dwellings and vertical clearance around all dwellings
Outbuildings and outbuildings.These include
sheds, garages, water tanks, storage
containers etc. Garden beds are
allowed within this area if they are
reticulated and maintained.
Asset Protection Area to be free from garden beds,
Zone – 0-20 metres shrubs, plants and grasses, unless it
around all dwellings can be demonstrated to be reticulated
and/ or regularly maintained.
Hazardous material is to be removed
excluding living plants and trees. This
includes dead branches, trees, leaf
litter, twigs and bark. To an acceptable
standard of no more than 5cm in
depth.
Hazard Separation Low fuel area (up to 5cm in depth)
Zone up to a distance of 100 metres
between the buildings and the hazard
if land is available.
Garden refuse and 3 metre clearance is required around
or wood stacks/ all piles of garden refuse and or wood.
piles
Mineral Earth Minimum 3 metre firebreak within
Firebreaks 100 metres of all boundaries.
Plantations 15 metres
Fuel storage & Construct a 4 metre firebreak
haystack protection not closer than 6 metres around
zone haystacks, and immediately around fuel
storage tanks or gas cylinders.
13VARIATION GUIDELINES
The following guidelines are acceptable categories for which a
variation to firebreak may be applied for:
1. The topography makes the normal placement of a
firebreak impracticable or dangerous and alternative
firebreak emergency access and fire prevention methods
that meet the intention of this Notice is provided and
demonstrated;
2. The topography/composition makes the normal methods
of construction impracticable (cap stone, rocky or water
logged) and alternative firebreak emergency access and
fire prevention methods that meet the intention of this
Notice is provided and demonstrated;
3. An approved Bush Fire Management Plan for the property
is in place and being conformed to and meets the
intention of this Notice;
4. The firebreak variation only applies to a portion of the
property that is reticulated lawn that is kept green and it
can be demonstrated that it is maintained regularly to less
than 10cm from the 1 December to 31 May inclusive;
5. The firebreak variation only applies to a portion of the
property that is reticulated feed paddocks that is kept
green and it can be demonstrated that it is maintained
regularly to less than 10cm from 1 December to 31May
inclusive;
6. The variation only applies to the portion of the property
that has reticulated garden beds, lawns, orchards or
other accepted sustained cultivation. Unless it is deemed
by Council or it’s authorised officer that the fuel type/
loadings are a hazard.
7. Cleared access provided to enable emergency vehicular
access to buildings and outbuildings and all parts of the
property in accordance with this Notice;
8. Firebreaks are provided in agreed alternative locations to
negate natural obstructions;
9. Constructed driveways may where authorised substitute
for firebreaks as long as it remains trafficable for the
firebreak as a whole and is maintained clear of all
flammable materials at all times in accordance with this
Notice;
1410. Where clearing is likely to impact upon areas of Declared
Rare Flora, Threatened Ecological Communities or
Environmentally Sensitive Areas as defined under the
Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation)
Regulations 2004.
All requests must be made by the property owner
or person authorised to act upon the owners behalf,
individual requests are required for each property
and must be submitted on the approved document/
application form, available from the Shire.
The authorising officer has the right to grant, refuse, alter or
add any conditions to an application, where alterations or
additions are applicable. Failure to comply within the time
frames provided by the authorised officer will result in the
refusal of the application and prosecution as if a firebreak/
hazard reduction works had not been installed/conducted in
accordance with this Notice.
Where refusal of an application takes place the owner
has fourteen (14) days in which to conform to the normal
requirements of this Notice.
Please note: you
must have your
variation in place and
operational by the .
14 November. It is
your responsibility to NON
demonstrate that COMPLIANT
the variation will be VACANT BLOCK
maintained for the
entire restricted and
prohibited burning
times. Failure to demonstrate compliance and the ability
to maintain the alternative solutions approved within the
variation will automatically require total compliance with this
Notice in its entirety.
TAKE ACTION NOW
To access further information on preparing your property learn
about the DFES “Prepare/Act/Survive” strategy,
www.dfes.wa.gov.au or call the DFES public information line on
13 3337
Weather Alerts: Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) recorded
information line on 1300 659 213
15General Enquiries
Shire of Collie (08) 9734 9000
Chief Bush Fire Control Officer
Julian Martin 0409 884 291
Deputy Chief Bush Fire Control Officer
Shane Hickson 0429 114 807
Firebreak Inspection Officers
Community Rangers 0408 931 274
Fire Control Officers
Allanson Kohdy Flynn 0408 931 274
Buckingham Graeme Pilatti 0407 779 172
CollieBurn/Cardiff Neil Waywood 0429 114 837
Harris River Brett King 0419 947 181
Williams Road Julian Martin 0409 884 291
Worsley Graham Genev 0407 514 688
Preston Road Kevin Bazeley 0448 813 657
Mungalup Road Community 0408 931 274
Rangers
Local Hazard Reduction Contractors
Rod Cross 0409 889 298
Chappell Landscaping 0417 183 608
MKJ Lawnmowing 0409 295 245
Terry Kowal 0428 533 469
East End Contractors 0427 341 019
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