Firebreak Requirements
Farming Land
On farming land other than excluded areas, the owner or occupier shall:-
- Clear firebreaks not less than 3m wide:
- inside all external boundaries of the land,
- within 15m of the perimeter of all buildings and remove all flammable material from within the 3m of all such buildings, and
- so as to divide the land into areas not exceeding 400ha.
- remove all flammable material for a continuous distance of 5m immediately surrounding every haystack, hayshed, stationary pump or engine, and
- remove all flammable material for a continuous distance of 15m or to the external boundary of the land whichever is nearer, from around fuel depots.
Note: Landowners may use a single firebreak on a neighbour’s common fenced boundary as long as both parties agree in writing and a copy of the agreement is delivered to the Shire of Pingelly.
All excluded areas remain the owner’s or occupier’s responsibility and any variation as permitted by the Order does not render null and void any duty otherwise required by law.
Townsite Land
On townsite land, where a property or adjoining properties having the same ownership or control and are used as a single holding, the owner or occupier, shall:-
- provide and maintain firebreaks not less than 3m in width inside all external boundaries of the land, or
- clear by burning, all flammable material likely to be conductive to the outbreak, spread or extensions of a fire from the whole of the land, or
- have all flammable material likely to be conductive to the outbreak, spread or extension of fire removed, and the grass maintained to a height not greater than 10cm.
Rural Residential Land
On rural residential land, where a property or adjoining properties having the same ownership or control and are used as a single holding, the owner or occupier shall comply with the requirements of:
- farming land where the holding exceeds 10ha in area, or
- townsite land, where the holding does not exceed 10ha in area.
Firebreaks on Road Reserves.
Firebreaks are not permitted on a road reserve.
Fire Fighting Units
During any period when harvesting operations are being conducted there shall be provided in the same paddock or within close proximity of that paddock, an operational independent mobile fire fighting unit having an engine driven pump and a water capacity of not less than 450 litres; the tank of the unit shall be kept full of water at all times during harvesting, and the responsibility to supply the unit is that of the landholder. Harvesting operations include the use of mobile augers and seed cleaning units.
Fire fighting trailers for fire suppression are regarded as out dated and dangerous—both to their operators and to other fire fighters on a fire ground. Their use at wild fires is not encouraged.
Clover Harvesting
Harvesting bans include the harvesting of clover.
Boyagin Rock Picnic Area
No wood fires are permitted in the Boyagin Rock Picnic Area (Reserve No. 29413) between 1 October each year and 30 April following.
General
If it is considered impracticable to clear firebreaks or remove flammable material from the land as required, application may be made in writing to the Council or its duly authorised officer for permission to put in place alternative fire hazard reduction measures. If permission is not granted, the requirements of this Order shall be complied with.
The penalty for failing to comply with this notice is a fine not exceeding $1,000 and a person in default is also liable whether prosecuted or not to pay the costs of performing the work directed in this notice if it is not carried out by the owner and/or occupier by the date required by this notice.
By Order of Council.
J. Burton
Chief Executive Officer