FIRE BREAK ORDER - Bush Fire Act 1954
All owners and occupiers of land are required on or before 15 November every year to provide and thereafter maintain free of all inflammable material until 15 April of the following year, firebreaks as stipulated in the manner described in the following schedule.
SCHEDULE
RURAL LAND
Buildings and Haystacks
A firebreak of at least 4 metres wide and not more than 60 metres from the perimeter of all buildings (including temporary dwellings e.g. caravans) and/or haystacks or groups of buildings and/or haystacks so as to completely surround the buildings, haystacks and/or fuel dumps.
Bulldozed Bush
A firebreak 20 metres wide shall be maintained immediately inside the external boundaries of all land which has been bulldozed, chained or prepared in any similar manner for clearing by burning (whether it is intended to burn the bush or not).
Stationary Pumps/Motors
A firebreak 4 metres wide shall be cleared and maintained around all stationary pumps and motors.
Harvesting Operations
During the period when harvesting operations are being conducted, there shall be provided in the same paddock or within 400 metres of that paddock an operational independent mobile fire-fighting unit having a water capacity of not less than 650 litres. The tank of the unit shall be kept full of water at all times during the harvest operations. The responsibility to supply the unit being that of the landowner.
Operation of Plant and Machinery
During the restricted and prohibited burning times, all harvesters and trucks carting grain shall not be operated on rural land unless fitted with a fire extinguisher. On days of HARVEST BANS there shall be no movement of any vehicles within paddocks.
Paddock Burns
At any time throughout the year, where a landowner intends to burn paddocks, the following must be provided to prevent escape of fire:
1. A firebreak 2.2 metres wide clear of all inflammable material completely surrounding the area to be burnt.
2. An operational fire-fighting unit having a capacity of not less than 650 litres.
3. Permits to burn may be required. Contact your Fire Control Officer for details.
TOWN SITE LAND
All lots with an area of 2.024 ha (5 acres) or less, shall be clear of all inflammable material or have grass mown to a height no greater than 15cm.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Fuel Dumps
You shall remove all flammable materials or material likely to become flammable during summer from land occupied by bulk storage tanks and/or drums used for storage of liquid fuel whether the bulk storage tanks and/or drums contain liquid or not. This includes the land on which ramps for holding the drums are constructed. The flammable free ground must be maintained to a distance of at least 4 metres outside the perimeter of any drum, stack of drums or drum ramp or bulk storage tank.
Variations to Requirements By the Order.
For permission to provide firebreaks in alternative positions or by alternative date or to take alternative action to abate fire hazards on the land, an application must be made no later than 14 days prior to the date firebreaks are required. If permission is not granted by the Shire or its duly authorised officer, you shall comply with the requirements of this notice.
Penalty for Failure to Comply
The penalty for failing to comply with this notice is a fine of up to $1000. If the owner or occupier fails to carry out the works required by this Firebreak Order the Shire of Beverley may enter the land and prepare the firebreaks at the cost of the owner or occupier.
Burning
If the requirements of this notice are carried out by burning, such burning must be in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Bush Fire Act 1954.
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