BUSH FIRES ACT 1954
Section 33(1)
NOTICE TO ALL OWNERS AND OCCUPIERS OF LAND
WITHIN THE SHIRE OF KALAMUNDA
As a measure for preventing the outbreak of a bush fire, or for preventing the spread or extension of a bush fire which may occur, all owners and occupiers of land within the Shire’s district are required before the 1st day of December in each year, or within 14 days of becoming the owner or occupier of land if after that date, to clear firebreaks or to take measures in accordance with this Notice and maintain those firebreaks and measures in accordance with this Notice up to and including the 31st day of March in the following year.
1. Land with a building on it with an area of 4,000 square metres or less
- Slash all grass and clear all inflammable matter to a height no greater than 5cm.
- Prune all trees and shrubs around all buildings to provide a safety zone.
- Ensure the roofs, gutters and walls of all buildings on the land are free of inflammable matter.
2. Vacant land with an area of 4,000 square metres or less
- Slash all grass and clear all inflammable matter to a height no greater than 5cm.
- Install a 3 metre wide firebreak immediately inside all external boundaries of the land by removing all inflammable matter within that 3 metre wide firebreak to a height of 4 metres.
3. Land with a building on it with an area greater than 4,000 square metres
- Slash all grass and clear all inflammable matter to a height no greater than 5cm.
- Install a 3 metre wide firebreak around all buildings and immediately inside all external boundaries of each lot on the land by removing all inflammable matter within that 3 metre wide firebreak to a height of 4 metres.
- Prune all trees and shrubs around all buildings to provide a safety zone.
- Ensure the roofs, gutters and walls of all buildings on the land are free of inflammable matter.
4. Vacant land with an area greater than 4,000 square metres
- Slash all grass to a height no greater than 5cm. If the land is stocked, the livestock must graze the grass down so that the grass is no greater than 5cm high by the end of December.
- Install a 3 metre wide firebreak immediately inside all external boundaries of each lot and around all structures on the land by removing all inflammable matter within that 3 metre firebreak to a height of 4 metres.
- Remove all inflammable matter within 20 metres of any haystacks or stockpiled inflammable matter.
- Maintain fuel loadings of inflammable matter at less than 8 tonnes per hectare across the land.
5. Fuel Dumps and Depots
Remove all inflammable matter within 10 metres of where fuel drums, fuel ramps or fuel dumps are located, and where fuel drums, whether containing fuel or not, are stored.
6. Garden Refuse
Pursuant to the powers contained in Section 24G(2) of the Bush Fires Act 1954, the Shire of Kalamunda prohibits the burning of all garden refuse within its district during the Prohibited Burning Times set out below unless that garden refuse is burned in an incinerator in accordance with the requirements of 24F(2) of the Act. This prohibition applies to all persons within the Shire’s district. Failure to comply with this prohibition is an offence with a maximum penalty of $3,000.
7. Welding and cutting apparatus
Pursuant to Regulation 39C(1) of the Bush Fire Regulations 1954, a person shall not operate –
(a) welding apparatus of any kind; or
(b) power operated abrasive discs of any kind, in the open air, unless-
(c) at least one fire extinguisher is provided at the place where the welding or cutting is carried out and
(d) the place referred to in paragraph (c) is surrounded by a firebreak which is at least 5 metres wide.
Failure to comply with Regulation 39C(1) is an offence with a maximum penalty of $1,000.
8. General
Firebreak Inspection Officers will commence inspection of firebreaks and fire hazards early in the bush fire season and will provide advice on potential fire hazards and suggested remedial measures. In some circumstances, an owner or occupier of land may be required to undertake fire prevention measures in addition to the measures specified in this Notice.
Where the owner or occupier of the land fails or neglects to comply with the requisitions of a notice given pursuant to section 33(1) of the Bush Fires Act 1954 within the time specified in the notice, the Shire of Kalamunda may direct its officers together with such servants, workmen or contractors, and with such vehicles, machinery and appliances as the officers deem fit, to enter upon the land and carry out the requisitions of the notice which have not been complied with and the Shire of Kalamunda may recover the amount of any costs and expenses incurred in carrying out those requisitions in any court of competent jurisdiction as a debt due from the owner or occupier of the land.
If fire prevention measures are carried out by burning, such burning must be in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Bush Fires Act which includes the necessity for permits to burn during the restricted burning times.
9. Restricted and Prohibited Burning Times
Restricted Burning Times (PERMITS REQUIRED) Between the 2nd day of November and the 30th day of November in each year, both dates inclusive, and between the 1st day of April and the 30th day of April in each year, both dates inclusive.
Prohibited Burning Times (TOTAL FIRE BAN) Between the 1st day of December in each year and the 31st day of March in the following year, both dates inclusive.
NOTE – Restricted and Prohibited Burning Times may be varied due to seasonal changes. Any changes will be advertised in a local newspaper circulated within the Shire’s district.
For more information on Restricted and Prohibited Burning Times, contact the Shire’s Fire Information Line on 6293 1990
10. Application to vary the above requirements.
If it is impracticable for any reason to clear firebreaks or to take measures in accordance with this Notice, you may apply to the Shire in writing before November 15 of each year for permission to provide firebreaks in alternative locations or take alternative measures to prevent the outbreak or spread of a bush fire. If permission is not granted in writing by the Shire, you shall comply with the requirements of this Notice.
11. Alternative methods of fuel reduction
Slashing, mowing, chemical spraying, raking and removal may be considered as alternative methods.
Shire staff is available to provide advice and further information on requirements, and the various passive and active measures that may be taken to minimise the fire risk of living in the Hills environment.