Notice is hereby given to all owners of land within the Shire of Harvey that pursuant to the powers conferred in Section 33 of the Bush Fires Act 1954, you are required to carry out fire prevention work in accordance with the requirements of this Notice, on or before 30 November 2023.

As a landowner you have a responsibility to manage your property to reduce the risk of bush fire. This notice informs you of what actions you must take to manage your property and the dates when those actions must be adhered to.

Infringements

The Shire will be inspecting properties for compliance from 1 December 2023. The penalty for failing to comply with this Notice will/ may result in a fine being issued to the maximum of $5,000. A person in default is also liable, whether prosecuted or not, to pay the costs of performing the work directed by this Notice if it is not carried out by the owner and/or occupier by the date required by this Notice.

Variations to this Notice

If you consider it to be impractical to meet the requirements of this Notice, you may apply and seek approval from the Shire in writing no later than 1 November 2023. Please complete the form on the Shire’s website harvey.wa.gov.au/services/ fire-and-emergency-management for permission to provide firebreaks in alternative positions or to take alternative action to abate fire hazards on the land.

Special Work Orders

The Shire retains the ability to issue Special Work Orders pursuant to Section 33 of the Bush Fires Act 1954, to individual landowners should additional works be necessary for a potential fire hazard that may exist on a property. These can be issued at any time during the year.

Bushfire Management Plan

All properties that are subject to a Bushfire Management Plan as a result of a subdivision or development approval or an approved treatment plan, must comply with the requirements of such plans in their entirety.

Rural Land

Firebreaks not less than 3m wide with a 4m high Vertical Axis must be provided and maintained in the following positions:

• Located within 10m of all boundaries of the property/land.
• So as to divide the land into areas of not more than 120ha.
• Around all groups of buildings, haystacks and fuel installations but not closer than 6m.

Irrigated land that is kept fully watered and maintained in a nonflammable state for the whole of the Restricted and Prohibited burning periods may not require a firebreak.

Fuel and Gas Depots

Maintain the land clear of all flammable materials for 20m from any edge of the storage unit.

Plantations

Provide 15m wide firebreaks immediately adjoining to external boundaries of the planted area. The outer 10m be cleared of all flammable material while the inner 5m (closest to the trees) kept in a reduced fuel state. Provide internal 6m wide firebreaks so as to divide the land into areas of not more than 30ha.

Residential/Special Residential exceeding 2024m2

Firebreak of at least 2m wide with a 4m high Vertical Axis must be provided and maintained in a non-flammable state within 6m of the property boundaries. Cleared hardstand areas and reticulated grassed areas maintained in a green state are acceptable.

Residential/Special Residential 2024m2 or less

All flammable material on the entire property (noting that this does not include living, standing trees, shrubs, plants and lawn under cultivation) is to be reduced and maintained to a height of less than 5cm.

Burning of garden waste, campfires and firepits

Not permitted at any time during the Prohibited Burning Period or at any other time where the fire danger rating is HIGH or above.

• Garden waste, campfires and firepits cannot be lit before 6pm. Adding extra fuel is not permitted after 11pm. Must never be left unattended and a suitable method of extinguishing the fire must be readily accessible during the burning process. All fires must be fully extinguished by midnight.
• Only one pile of garden waste up to 1 cubic metre to be alight at any time with all flammable materials cleared from within 3m of the fire.
• Only one firepit or campfire up to 1 metre diameter to be alight at any time with all flammable materials cleared from within 1m of the fire.
• Any incinerator to burn rubbish must be properly constructed and requires the approval from the Manager Environmental Health.

Wood/solid fuel BBQs and pizza ovens

• The use of wood/solid fuel BBQs and pizza ovens is permitted except on days when the fire danger rating is HIGH or above.
• The use of any wood/solid fuel BBQ or pizza oven is prohibited during a Total Fire Ban.

Definitions

Firebreak - a strip of land which has been cleared of all flammable material such as wood, leaves and grass that is likely to be ignited and capable of burning. It must be trafficable, meaning it must be accessible by a fire appliance and cleared of vegetation to a maximum height of 5cm, without any obstruction to the vehicle. A firebreak cannot terminate or lead to a dead end.

Flammable Materials - accumulated fuel such as leaf litter, twigs, bark, grass over 5cm high, timber boxes, cartons, paper and any combustible material, capable of carrying a running fire but excludes living standing trees and shrubs.

Residential/Special Residential Land - includes land zoned Residential, Special Residential, Residential Development, Commercial and Industrial land within a townsite or any other area subdivided for residential purposes.

Rural land - includes land zoned Special Rural, Intensive Farming, General Farming and Landscape Protection.

Flammable Fuel Storage - includes all petroleum-based liquids, Liquefied Petroleum Gas, Liquefied Natural Gas, any other combustible liquid or gaseous fuel.

Hay Stack - hay stack means any collection of hay including fodder rolls placed or stacked together that exceeds 100m3 in size (eg 5m x 5m x 4m) whether in a shed, other structure of open air.

Strip of Land - land cleared of all flammable materials, such as wood, leaves and grass that is likely to be ignited and capable of burning; it must be maintained throughout the period.

Irrigated Land /Hard Stand/ Reticulated Grass - Land that is kept fully watered and maintained in a nonflammable state for the whole of the Restricted and Prohibited burning periods.

Plantation - any area exceeding 3ha planted for commercial gain. Including pine, eucalypt or other commercial value trees, excluding orchards and vineyards.

Special Risks - areas that adjoin public roads, railway reserves and power lines.

Trafficable - trafficable means to be able to travel from one point to another in a four-wheel drive fire appliance on a clear surface, unhindered without any obstruction that may endanger such fire appliances.

Vertical Axis - a continuous vertical uninterrupted line at a right angle to the horizontal line of the firebreak.

Further Bush Fire and Firebreak information is available on the Shire's Website.

ANNIE RIORDAN

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER