Fire Breaks
Fire control concerns everyone in our community.
As Bunbury residents we are fortunate to live in proximity to a haven of natural bushland. However, embers from a bushfire can travel many kilometres and anyone can lose their home to an ember attack
Firebreaks help to reduce this risk and are a legal requirement under Section 33 of the Bush Fires Act 1954. See the Public Fire Notice below for a list of dates for restricted and prohibited burning times plus all the necessary information you need to ensure your property is compliant and not a Bush Fire Risk.
Where the area of the land is less than 2024 square metres:
Slash/mow all grass to a height no greater than five (5) centimetres and remove all slashed materials and other flammable matter from the land.
Where the area of the land is greater than 2024 square metres:
Slash/mow all grass to a height no greater than five (5) centimetres and remove all slashed materials and/or install a firebreak of three (3) metres wide, clear of all bush and flammable material along all external boundaries of the land.
Firebreaks are a legal requirement and failure to comply can result in a penalty of $250. All Rangers are Fire Control Officers and will be actively patrolling during Fire Season to ensure the safety of all our residents.
Where an owner or occupier fails to install or maintain a firebreak, the City will install the firebreak and recover the costs.
Total Fire Bans
Total Fire Bans are declared on days when fires will be very difficult to control and are most likely to threaten lives and property because there is extreme fire weather or widespread bushfires that are seriously stretching firefighting resources.
Total Fire Bans prohibit lighting open air fires which includes deliberately lit fires, burn offs, cooking with open-fire appliances or campfires; or carrying out business activities that could start a fire including incinerators, welding, grinding, soldering or gas cutting.
As of 2018 the State Government has increased penalties for anyone breaching a Total Fire Ban. An offence can incur an on-the-spot infringement of $1000. Repeat offenders or offences of a serious nature could result in prosecution with a fine of up to $25,000 and / or imprisonment for 12 months.
Visit the DFES website to find out more about Total Fire Bans.
Campfires, fire pits, barbecues and pizza ovens
Fire pits, pizza ovens and wood-fueled barbecues are not permitted at all during the Prohibited Burning period.
Permits are required during the Restricted Burning period. Permits can also be cancelled should changes in weather conditions or other risks present themselves.
A Total Fire Ban would also cancel any permit and community members must check the DFES webpage to see if one is in effect in your area prior to lighting any fire.
These activities are never permitted on any public land without permission from the City of Bunbury and would constitute an offence.
Burning Permits
Each year burning is not permitted from 13 December to 27 March inclusive.
A Burning Permit must be obtained for the burning of any materials (including garden refuse) from 1 November to 12 December inclusive and from 28 March to 8 May inclusive.
Permits are automatically cancelled on days of very high and extreme fire danger as no burning of any type is permitted, not even in incinerators.
Permits to burn must be obtained from the City of Bunbury and all conditions imposed by the Council’s Fire Control Officers and Authorised Persons must be followed. Conditions may include:
- Three adults present at the fire at all times
- Neighbouring property owners and occupiers notified at least four days before burning or on the day if agreed
- Running water or a fire unit with water pump and at least 500 litres of water at the fire at all times
- Specific time of the burn
- Certain wind conditions and direction for fire and smoke management
Permits or approvals to burn in residential areas are issued only where alternative means of removing fire hazards are not practical. Permits will generally not be issued on land less than 2,024 square metres
Persons burning without a permit or approval may receive an on the spot fine or be liable for fines up to $2,000 plus costs and/or imprisonment. In the case of a running or escaping fire, the responsible person may be liable to prosecution or civil action and may be required to pay damages and the cost of firefighting, even if a permit or approval has been obtained