Requirement to Clear Firebreaks by 14 OCTOBER 2018
Shire of Kent 13 Sep 2018
BUSH FIRES ACT 1954 BUSH FIRE REQUIREMENTS Notice to Owners/Occupiers of Land  Requirement to Clear Firebreaks

Fire breaks are required in locations and to the specifications as detailed below:

1. Land Within Townsite

a) On land not exceeding 4050sq metres in area, all flammable materials shall be removed.

b) On land exceeding 4050sq metres in area, a fire break 2.5 metres wide shall be constructed inside and immediately adjoining all external boundaries.

c) Fire breaks 2.5 metres wide shall be constructed inside and immediately surrounding all buildings and improvements situated on the land.

d) Stored fuel, oil and flammable materials shall be protected from fire as prescribed in the Explosives and Dangerous Goods Act 1961 and the Flammable Liquids Regulations 1967 and which include that a firebreak 6 metres wide shall be provided immediately surrounding storage areas.

2. Rural Lands – Used For Agricultural Purposes

a) Trafficable firebreaks of 3 metres wide shall be constructed within 50 metres of, and surrounding all buildings and haystacks.

b) Trafficable fire breaks not less than 5.5 metres wide shall be constructed around the outside boundary of land rolled, logged etc. for new clearing.

c) Trafficable firebreaks of 3 metres wide shall be constructed around the outside boundary of all rural properties.

d) Stored fuel, oil and flammable materials shall be protected from fire as prescribed in the Explosives and Dangerous Goods Act 1961 and the Flammable Liquids Regulations 1967 and which include that a firebreak 6 metres wide shall be provided immediately surrounding storage areas.

 3. General

If it is considered impractical for any reason to clear firebreaks as required by this notice, you may apply to the Council or any duly authorised officer no later than 13 October for permission to provide alternative protection measures.  If permission is not granted by the Shire or duly authorised officer, you shall comply with the requirement of this notice.

4. Penalty

The penalty for non-compliance with this notice is a maximum of $5000 and notwithstanding prosecution, Council may enter on the land and carry out the requisite work at the owner/occupiers expense.

5. Provision of Fire Appliance

Pursuant to the powers contained in Regulation 38A(4) of the Act, no person shall operate a harvesting machine in any course or fine grain crop during the period 1 November to 25 April, unless they have first provided an operational fire fighting appliance, having a capacity of at least 400 litres of water, situated in or adjacent to the paddock prior to the commencement of and during the said harvesting.  The harvester must also be equipped with a fire extinguisher.  During track raking, stubble slashing and mulching, a fire fighting appliance is to be situated in or adjacent to the paddock operating within.

Bush Fire Notice 2018 -19 Kent