FIRE MANAGEMENT NOTICE 2018 - 2019 - City of Albany
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FIRE MANAGEMENT NOTICE
2018 - 2019
FIRST AND FINAL NOTICE IS HEREBY
SERVED TO ALL LAND OWNERS OR
OCCUPIERS IN THE CITY OF ALBANY
These are your legal requirements. Please read
carefully and retain for future reference.
This Notice constitutes the City of Albany
Fire Management Notice and is issued under
Section 33 of the Bush Fires Act 1954.
You are required to prepare your property for the fire
season. This includes installing and maintaining fire breaks
and reducing fuel loads on your property. This Notice sets
out the actions you must take.
PENALTIES APPLY
City of Albany officers may inspect properties throughout
this period to ensure compliance. If you fail to comply with
the conditions contained in this Notice, you may be fined
up to $5,000 under the Bush Fires Act 1954.
The City of Albany, or a contractor engaged by the City,
may enter your land to install the fire break or reduce fuel
loads and charge you for expenses incurred. Any ‘variation
to requirements’ approval you hold may be declared void.
If the mitigation measures required by this Notice are
carried out by burning, such burning must be in accordance
with the Bush Fires Act 1954.
IM.PUB.40 | PU18447
Compliance Period
All fire mitigation measures must remain in place for the
following periods (unless otherwise advertised):
• North East Sector: 1 November 2018 to 30 April 2019
• South West Sector: 1 December 2018 to 30 April 2019
Please refer to the map on page 13 for sector boundaries.
For more information please visit the City of Albany
website at www.albany.wa.gov.au/residents/emergency-
management/fire/
Variations to Requirements
If you are unable to meet the fire management measures
listed in this Notice, you must apply for approval to take
alternative measures to prevent the outbreak or spread of
a bush fire.
For guidelines regarding the acceptable categories for
which a variation will be considered, please visit the City’s
website at wwww.albany.wa.gov.au/residents/emergency-
management/fire/
Supporting evidence of your capacity to prevent the start
and spread of bushfire, which are at least as effective as
the measures required in the Notice needs to be provided
with your application.
Where a variation has been granted, any conditions
that apply to the variation must be complied with. Any
requirements stipulated in this Notice for which a variation
has not been granted must still be complied with
Application forms are available on the City of Albany
website at www.albany.wa.gov.au/residents/emergency-
management/fire/
Completed applications must be received by the City by no
later than 1 October 2018.
You will be notified of the outcome of your application in
writing.
2
Fire Mitigation Requirements
Conservation, Special Residential & Rural
Residential (Special Rural) Zoned Properties
Properties situated in these zones may have specific
fire mitigation measures applicable that are listed in the
Albany Local Planning Scheme 1, the subdivision guide plan
(structure plan) or an approved bush fire management
plan.
All bush fire mitigation measures applicable to your
property detailed in the Planning Scheme or approved
plans are to be complied with.
All properties must meet Asset Protection Zone (APZ)
(building protection zone and hazard separation zones)
requirements. (For further information regarding APZ see
page 8.)
Additional fire mitigation measures may include (but are
not limited to):
• Compliant access to dwellings.
• Permanent water supply.
• Maintenance of Strategic Fire Access Routes (see page
11 for more details).
You can check your property’s zoning by accessing the
online map module on the City of Albany website at
www.albany.wa.gov.au/business/building-planning/
whats-my-property-zoning/.
If you are unsure of the requirements that apply to your
property, please contact the City of Albany Planning
Department.
3
Properties up to or equal to 4,000m2
(Excluding Conservation, Special Residential and Rural
Residential zoned Properties.)
The following fire mitigation measures apply to vacant
and developed land measuring less than 4,000m2 in
area:
• Clear and maintain the land free of all flammable
matter, including piles of timber (excluding firewood
during late autumn and winter), branches and other
dried vegetation matter.
• Install hazard specific fire breaks (see page 10).
• Shrubs should not be located under trees or within
3 metres of buildings. They are to be maintained
and pruned to remove dead material.
Trees are to be pruned and maintained to the following
standard:
• Branches must be removed or pruned to ensure a
separation of at least 3 metres from the eaves of all
buildings and 5 metres above the top of the roof.
• Branches that may fall on the house must be
removed.
• Clearance of 2.5 metres between trees and power
lines to avoid contact that may start a fire or bring
down a power line.
• The spacing of individual or groups of trees should
be 15 metres apart to provide for a 5 metres
separation between tree crowns. Canopy cover
should aim to be no more than 15%.
Properties over 4,000m2 and less than 100 Ha
(Excluding Conservation, Special Residential and Rural
Residential zoned Properties.)
(See also Agricultural and Machinery Operations
requirements page 7.)
• Perimeter fire breaks (see page 10)
• Hazard specific fire breaks (see page 10)
• Maintaining fuel load to an average of 8 tonnes per
hectare or less (see page 11).
• Asset Protection Zone (for dwellings, outbuildings
and other agricultural infrastructure. See definition
and standards on page 8).
4
Properties over 100 Ha
(Excluding Conservation, Special Residential and Rural
Residential zoned Properties.)
(See also Agricultural and Machinery Operations
requirements page 7.)
Agricultural Operations
The City of Albany recognises that some bona fide
agricultural operations, by the nature of the agricultural
activities carried out, reduce the risk of the outbreak or
spread of bush fire.
If your property is managed in a way that reduces the
risk of bush fire or if you have additional capacity for
preventing the outbreak and/or spread of bushfire, you
can apply for a Variation to Requirements. (See page 2.)
Otherwise, perimeter fire breaks are required. (See page
10.)
Clear a bare earth 3 metre wide fire break within 100
metres of all buildings, haystacks, stockpiled flammable
matter and fuel dumps by removing all flammable
matter and vegetation within the 3 metre wide fire break
between the ground and 5 metres above the ground
so that the fire break provides unrestricted vehicular
access.
Install Hazard Specific Fire Breaks (See page 10.)
All Other Properties
Perimeter fire breaks or an approved variation to
requirements supported by a fire management plan
that provides evidence of your capacity to prevent and
control the outbreak and spread of bushfire.
Clear a bare earth 3 metre wide fire break within 100
metres of all buildings, haystacks, stockpiled flammable
matter and fuel dumps by removing all flammable
matter and vegetation within the 3 metre wide fire break
between the ground and 5 metres above the ground
so that the fire break provides unrestricted vehicular
access.
Install Hazard Specific Fire Breaks (See page 10.)
5
Plantations & Regeneration lots
Owners and lessees of plantation and regeneration lots
must comply with the conditions detailed in the Department
of Fire and Emergency Services’ Guidelines for Plantation
Fire Protection. This document is available from the DFES
website at www.dfes.wa.gov.au/safetyinformation/fire/
bushfire/Pages/allpublications.aspx
The following measures are also required (unless a
variation has been granted by the City of Albany):
• provide a key to access gates to their local Bush Fire
Brigade;
• provide a red PVC container at entry points with maps
showing water points, tracks and contact details;
• install perimeter fire breaks 10m wide 4m vertical
clearance;
• ensure the property is broken into compartments not
exceeding 250ha in area and separated by internal fire
breaks 6m wide and with a 4m vertical clearance; and
• install a 15m mineral earth break under all power
lines.
6
Agricultural and Machinery
Operations
The following requirements apply to agricultural
operations:
• Cropping paddocks must be broken into
compartments not exceeding 250ha in area each
separated by internal fire breaks. (For fire break
standards, see page 10).
• During harvest operations a fully operational self-
propelled (i.e. not trailer mounted) fire fighting unit
with a minimum water capacity of 600 litres is to be
located in the paddock being harvested.
• Where two or more harvesting machines are
operating, the minimum water capacity is to be
1,000 litres.
• During restricted and prohibited burning times, all
harvesting machinery must carry a fire extinguisher.
The minimum standard is a 9 litre water extinguisher.
• During restricted and prohibited burning times, all
tractors and trucks involved in harvesting operations
are to carry a hand-held fire extinguisher.
7
Standards and Definitions
The following information provides additional
information regarding ways to meet the requirements of
this Notice.
Asset Protection Zones (APZ)
Asset Protection Zones generally consist of managed
vegetation, reticulated lawns and gardens and other
non-flammable features.
Houses constructed after 2015 should maintain an APZ
as per the BAL report prepared as part of Planning and
Building approvals.
Houses constructed before 2015 should have an APZ of
20m (or to the boundary of the property where a 20m
distance cannot be achieved).
If your property is subject to bush fire mitigation
measures under the Albany Local Planning Scheme
1, the subdivision guide plan (structure plan) or an
approved Bushfire Management Plan, the APZ and
any other hazard separation zones defined are to be
complied with.
On sloping ground the Asset Protection Zone distance
shall increase at least 1 metre for every degree in slope
on the sides of the habitable building that are exposed
to down slope natural vegetation.
It is important to note that the 20m clearing may not
be enough to provide adequate protection and an
additional distance should be cleared where possible
to ideally meet the BAL29 standard, please consult a
bushfire consultant to assist you with calculation.
APZ Standards
• Trees (> 5 metres in height): trunks at maturity
should be a minimum distance of 6 metres from all
buildings, branches should not touch or overhang
the building, lower branches should be removed to
a height of 2 metres above the ground or surface
vegetation, canopy cover should be less than 15%
at maturity be at least 5 metres apart so as to not
form a continuous canopy.
• Shrubs (0.5 metres to 5 metres in height): should
not be located under trees or within 3 metres of
buildings, should not be planted in clumps greater
8than 5m2 in area, clumps of shrubs should be
separated from each other and any exposed window
or door by at least 10 metres. Shrubs greater than 5
metres in height are to be treated as trees.
• Ground covers (Bushfire Management Plan
Where an approved Bushfire Management Plan is in
place, all properties covered by the Plan are to comply
with the conditions of that Plan.
This includes maintenance of all strategic fire breaks,
emergency access ways and fire service access routes
that may be present on your property. If you are unsure if
your property is covered by a Bushfire Management Plan,
please contact the City of Albany Planning Department.
Please note: a Bush Fire Management plan approved by
the City can be used to set the standard for or vary the
fire management notice for an individual property or for
a number of properties.
Fire Breaks - Perimeter Fire Breaks
• Perimeter fire breaks are to be located within 20
metres of the property boundary and must be 3
metres wide with 4 metres vertical clearance.
• The fire break must be ploughed, cultivated,
scarified, chemically sprayed, slashed or otherwise
cleared to a maximum vegetation height of 50mm.
• Any overhanging branches, trees or shrubs must be
cleared to a vertical height of 4m over the designated
fire break.
• Fire breaks longer than 400m should include a fire
appliance turning area of at least 10 metre diameter
at appropriate locations to allow egress from a
property.
Fire Breaks - Hazard Specific
Fire breaks must be constructed around the following
hazards, if they are located on your property:
• Green power domes – 3 metre fire break
• Wood heaps and hay stacks – 3 metre fire break
• Fuel storage areas – 3 metre fire break
• Garden refuse piles – 3 metre fire break
• Power poles - 2.5 metre fire break
10Strategic Fire Access Route
A Strategic Fire Access Route (SFAR - previously referred
to as Strategic Fire Break) is both a major fire access road
and a major fire break designed to allow a heavy duty fire
appliance to access properties.
Where a SAFR is located on your property, you will be
required to install and maintain it, to the satisfaction of
the City.
SFAR do not replace the requirement for individual
perimeter fire breaks unless this is specified in an
approved Bushfire Management Plan (see page 10).
It must not be obstructed by buildings, fences, tree
planting and so on. Unlocked gates are to be provided on
property boundaries where the SFAR crosses.
SFAR must:
• be a minimum of 6m wide
• be maintained clear of all fire fuel
• have an all-weather trafficable surface of at least 4m,
• have a vertical clearance of at least 4.5m.
• include a turning area (minimum radius of 10m)
approximately every 500m.
• have places installed every 100m, which should be
20m long and 6m wide.
Details of the locations of SFARs are included in Bushfire
Management Plans and sub-division guide plans or can be
obtained from the City of Albany Planning Department.
Low Fuel Loads
Fuel loads refers to the amount of flammable material
available for a fire to burn. Fuel loads are to be maintained
at or below 8 tonnes per hectare. This is equal to 8
handfuls of flammable material per square metre. Low
fuel loads can be achieved by the following:
• slashing grasses on the whole block to a height not
exceeding 50mm; or
• parkland clearing, which is the removal of
understorey to a maximum height of 50mm but
leaving trees in place; or
• hazard reduction burning.
11Prohibited & Restricted Periods
Prohibited Burning Times
Under the Bush Fires Act 1954, it is generally an offence to
light fires during the Prohibited Burning Time. Penalties
of up to $10,000 fine or 12 months’ imprisonment or
both may apply.
Restricted Burning Times
Permits are required to light a fire during the Restricted
Burning Time. All permit holders are required to comply
with the requirements of the Bush Fire Act 1954. Any
additional special conditions imposed must also be
observed.
2018/2019 Burning Periods
NORTH EAST SECTOR
1 October - 14 November Restricted - permits
required
15 November - 28 February BURNING PROHIBITED
1 March - 30 April Restricted - permits
required
SOUTH WEST SECTOR
1 November - 14 December Restricted - permits
required
15 December - 15 March BURNING PROHIBITED
16 March – 14 May Restricted - permits
required
Refer to map on page 13 for bush fire brigade sector
boundaries.
Seasonal conditions may result in changes to these dates.
Any alterations will be published in local newspapers and
on the City of Albany website at www.albany.wa.gov.au
12Bush Fire Brigade Sector Boundaries
17
North East Sector
14
13
16
15
12
11
South West Sector
4
10
3
9
2
8
7
1
6
5
1 - Redmond 10 - FRS (non-brigade)
2- Highway 11 - Kalgan
3- King River 12 - South Stirlings
4 - Napier 13 - Kojaneerup
5 - Youngs 14 - Gnowellen
6 - Bornholm 15 - Manypeaks
7 - Torbay 16 - Green Range
8 - Elleker 17 - Wellstead
9 - South Coast
13Burning Permits
Albany Townsite
If you live within the DFES Fire and Rescue Services (FRS)
district (area bounded by the blue line below) which
includes the Albany town site and close adjacent areas,
you can apply for a permit by completing an Application
for Permit to Burn form.
The form is available from the City Administration Office
at 102 North Road or can be downloaded from the City
of Albany website at www.albany.wa.gov.au/residents/
emergency-management/fire
Bush Fire Brigade Areas
If you live outside this area, please contact your local
Volunteer Bush Fire Control Officer (see contact list on
page 15).
If you don’t know your brigade area you can find out by
accessing the online map module on the City of Albany
website at www.albany.wa.gov.au/business/building-
planning/whats-my-property-zoning
Please note that no permits will be issued Good Friday to
Easter Monday (inclusive).
14Bush Fire Brigades Contacts
NORTH EAST SECTOR
Gnowellen Morgan Sounness 0427 471 057
Jeff Stoney 0427 471 011
Green Range Ian Smith 0429 466 031
Mark Plunkett 0428 466 032
Kojaneerup Ashton Hood 0427 477 234
Scott Smith 0429 466 037
Manypeaks Kim Lester 0429 889 075
Tim Metcalf 0478 350 111
South Stirling Graeme Pyle 0477 543 069
John Howard 0428 543 004
Wellstead Peter Diprose 0427 472 037
Rick Chadwick 0428 472 014
SOUTH WEST SECTOR
Bornholm Laurie Nissen 0429 838 038
Chris Ayres 0427 451 123
Elleker Ashley Lynch 0484 505 693
Craig Witham 0402 360 336
Highway Gerrit Ballast 0498 998 878
Walter Van Dongen 0428 281 224
Kalgan Graeme Poole 0419 919 949
Darryl Bradley 0438 198 473
King River Sandy Lyon 0428 443 630
Malcolm Pearce 0429 337 382
Napier Tom Collins 0428 443 451
Brett Smoker 0458 552 822
Redmond Pieter Mostert 0497 453 009
Lance Flett 0427 453 048
South Coast Shane Duncan 0417 820 443
Rowan Hardey 0419 663 061
Torbay Keith Smith 0428 451 516
Sam Cockburn 0400 733 455
Youngs Kevin Martin 0427 452 032
Martin Peterson 0448 320 352
15Fire Bans
The City of Albany will endeavour to communicate
broadly when a ban is imposed. However, it is the
responsibility of landowners and occupiers to check if
bans are in place before engaging in any activity that
may be prohibited for the duration of the ban.
Harvest and Vehicle Movement Bans
The City of Albany may impose Harvest and/or Vehicle
Movement Bans when adverse fire weather conditions
are experienced.
During harvest bans all harvesting operations must cease.
No harvesting is permitted on Christmas Day.
A vehicle movement ban means no internal combustion
powered vehicles are to be driven in paddocks or bush
areas and ‘hot work’ such as welding or grinding is not
to be undertaken in the open air. Further information is
available on City of Albany website.
All bans are broadcast via ABC local radio at 10:05am,
11.05am, 12:35pm and 2:05pm.
Total Fire Ban
During a Total Fire Ban, the lighting of any fire in the
open air is prohibited. This includes all open cooking and
camping fires and incinerators. It also includes ‘hot work’
such as welding, grinding and soldering or gas cutting.
Exemptions may be available. Check DFES website for
details at www.dfes.wa.gov.au.
Penalties
Penalties may apply of up to $25,000 or imprisonment
for 12 months, or both.
Information
Total Fire Bans are announced on DFES website and DFES
twitter feed, ABC Radio or via calling 1800 709 355.
Disclaimer:
The City of Albany may vary a condition or conditions of
this Notice at its discretion.
102 North Road, Yakamia
PO Box 484, ALBANY WA 6330
Phone 9841 9333 Fax 9841 4099
Email staff@albany.wa.gov.au
www.albany.wa.gov.au
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