Fire Hazard Reduction Notice

Slashing

Dead flammable matter including dead grass, shrubs and plants shall be slashed, mowed or trimmed down to a height no greater than 50mm across the entire property.

This includes slashing between parkland, includes weeds, all grasses and hay.

All material as a result of slashing must be removed from the property to maintain a fuel load under 8t/ha.

Remove Dead Flammable Material

All Dead Flammable Material (DFM) is any material such as wood, leaves and grass that is likely to be ignited and capable of burning. This is the leaf litter on the ground inclusive of leaves, twigs (up to 6mm diameter) and bark. Mulch piles, stored firewood and burn piles contribute to fuel load and must be maintained to a standard of no greater than 8t/ha across the entirety of the property or be stored safely or removed from the property.

A litter depth of 15mm from the top of the layer to the mineral earth beneath is indicative of approximately 8t/ha.

Clean gutters

Ensure the roofs, gutters and walls of all buildings are free of flammable matter.

Bushfire Management Plans

(may be required)
All properties that are subject to a Bushfire Management Plan as a result of a subdivision, development application or a City approved treatment plan must comply with the requirements of such plans in their entirety.

Additional works

In addition to the requirements of this notice, regardless of land size, you may be required to carry out further fire prevention works on your land to reduce any hazards considered necessary by the duly Authorised Officer of the City of Kalamunda. If required, these requirements will be outlined in a ‘work order’ sent to the address of the owner and/or occupier. Such Additional Works are necessary to prevent the outbreak and/or the spread of a bush fire.

Slashing

Dead flammable matter including dead grass, shrubs and plants shall be slashed, mowed or trimmed down to a height no greater than 50mm across the entire property.

This includes slashing between parkland, includes weeds, all grasses and hay.

All material as a result of slashing must be removed from the property to maintain a fuel load under 8t/ha.

Remove Dead Flammable Material

All Dead Flammable Material (DFM) is any material such as wood, leaves and grass that is likely to be ignited and capable of burning. This is the leaf litter on the ground inclusive of leaves, twigs (up to 6mm diameter) and bark. Mulch piles, stored firewood and burn piles contribute to fuel load and must be maintained to a standard of no greater than 8t/ha across the entirety of the property or be stored safely or removed from the property.

A litter depth of 15mm from the top of the layer to the mineral earth beneath is indicative of approximately 8t/ha.

Firebreaks

The firebreak must be a minimum of 3m wide to accommodate for the width of emergency vehicles and have a minimum height clearance of 4m to allow for the height of emergency vehicles.

Bare, mineral earth is essential for the safety and effectiveness of all firebreaks and is considered a safe passage for Emergency Services to travel along. If a firebreak contains combustible material, it could potentially set vehicles alight and facilitate the growth of a fire.

A firebreak standard are –

• 3-metre-wide but no greater than 4 metres wide, (further width extensions may be considered upon written application for approval to the City)
• 4-metre-high clearance,
• Bare mineral earth, a maintained and living lawns are acceptable in conjunction with or in lieu of mineral earth fire breaks, provided that the same width and height requirements for a fire break are applied.
• Continuous (no dead ends) trafficable fire-break as close as possible inside the entire perimeter of the land.
• Must be in a drivable, continuous form meaning that any emergency service vehicle is able to drive the fire break from the entry point to the exit point without leaving the firebreak
• Must have a corner turning radius of up to 10 metres. 

Asset Protection Zone

An Asset Protection Zone (APZ) is a buffer zone of area extending for 20 metres around a building where there is reduced flammable material. Creating a minimum 20 metre reduced fuel load area (building protection zone) will increase the protection of the building. By utilising fuel management options it will also be possible to reduce the potential radiant heat impact on the building

To create and maintain a fuel reduced zone clear all rubbish, long dry grass, bark and materials that may catch fire to no more than 2t/ha.

Trees over 5m in height must be under pruned to a height of 2m from the ground. Trees and shrubs 2m from the asset must be pruned to a height no greater than 2m.

Ensure gutters, roofs and walls of buildings are free of flammable matter and tree branches do not overhang the building 

Clean gutters

Ensure the roofs, gutters and walls of all buildings are free of flammable matter.

Bushfire Management Plans

(may be required)
All properties that are subject to a Bushfire Management Plan as a result of a subdivision, development application or a City approved treatment plan must comply with the requirements of such plans in their entirety.

Additional works

In addition to the requirements of this notice, regardless of land size, you may be required to carry out further fire prevention works on your land to reduce any hazards considered necessary by the duly Authorised Officer of the City of Kalamunda. If required, these requirements will be outlined in a ‘work order’ sent to the address of the owner and/or occupier. Such Additional Works are necessary to prevent the outbreak and/or the spread of a bush fire.