Annual Fire Break Notice

NOTICE TO ALL OWNERS AND OCCUPIERS OF LAND WITHIN THE SHIRE OF KOORDA

Important: The works outlined below must be completed by 31 October 2024 and maintained in this state up to and including 30 April 2025.

Pursuant to Section 33 of the Bush Fires Act 1954 (WA), the Shire of Koorda (Shire) gives written notice to act as specified in this notice to land that you own and/or occupy and with respect to any matter which is upon the land that you own and/or occupy within the Shire. Failure to neglect to comply with this notice is an offence and can result in a penalty of up to $5,000.

The Shire’s Fire Hazard Inspectors are authorised under the Bush Fires Act 1954 (WA) (Act) and have powers to enter land pursuant to Section 14 of the Act. The Shire advised that its officers, servants, workmen, contractors, vehicles, machinery, and appliances (as the officers deem fit) may carry out the requisitions of this notice that are not complied with by 31 October 2024, and any costs and expenses incurred may be recovered from you as the owner and/or occupier of the land.

“Firebreak” means an area of ground, of a specified width that is kept and maintained ‘reasonably’ clear of all material (living or dead) by scarifying, cultivating, ploughing or other means, and includes the pruning and removal of any living or dead trees, scrub or other material that overhang the cleared firebreak area to a vertical height of 4.5 metres from the ground.

In this instance, ‘reasonably’ is intended to mean “best endeavour”, acknowledging that it is impracticable to clear and maintain a firebreak ‘totally clear’ of inflammable material for the period of this notice.

“Flammable Material” means material that can be easily ignited, i.e. – dead or dry grass, leaves, timber, paper, plastic and other material or things deemed by an authorised officer to be capable of combustion.

Rural Land:

► On all land owned or occupied which is not within a townsite subdivision, firebreaks not less than three (3) metres wide must be cleared inside and along the external boundary of all land.

► For the purpose of this part, all Road Reserves are to be taken as boundaries.

► The maximum area allowed with a single perimeter firebreak must not exceed 400 hectares.

► Where buildings or hay stacks are situated on the property, additional firebreaks not less than three (3) metres in width must be provided within ten (10) metres of the perimeter of such buildings or hay stacks in such manner as to completely encircle the buildings or hay stacks.

Townsite Land:

► All lots within townsites are required to be completely cleared of all debris of any inflammable nature and maintained free of such material.

If it is considered impractical for any reason to clear firebreaks or remove flammable materials from the land as required by this notice, a written application for a variation may be made to the Chief Executive Officer, to reach him not less than two weeks prior to the date by which the firebreak(s), are to be cleared.

No such application will be considered unless it bears the signature of the Fire Control Officer for the area in which the property is situated signifying the Officer’s agreement to the variation applied for.

Restricted-Permit Required: 19 September 2024 to 31 October 2024

Prohibited-No Burning: 1 November 2024 to 31 January 2025

Restricted-Permit Required: 1 February 2025 to 30 April 2025

Landholders should note that as the reasonable installation and maintenance of fire breaks is a local Council requirement, any landholder not meeting this obligation may breach their insurance provisions.

Zac Donovan

Chief Executive Officer