Firebreak and Fuel Management Notice
The annual Firebreak and Fuel Management Notice outlines your legal responsibilities to address the bushfire hazards at your property. If you need help understanding any aspect of the notice, it's your responsibility to take make use of the resources available to educate yourself so you can avoid penalties during the maintenance period.
On this page:
Key Dates
Variations Due
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1 October 2024 |
If you would like to submit a variation application, you must do so before the 1 October deadline. |
Maintenance Period
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1 December 2024 - 30 April 2025 |
Every property must be maintained to meet the requirements of the Notice for the entirety of the maintenance period. |
Compliance Inspections
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1 December 2024 - 30 April 2025 |
Properties that are found to breach the Notice will receive a fine. Frequently Asked Questions about infringements are available below. |
Burning Periods
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Please visit our Burning Periods page for information about the various Burning Periods in the Shire of Denmark.
Please visit our Camp and Cooking Fires page for information about restrictions in the Shire of Denmark.
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Property Requirements: Firebreak and Fuel Management Notice
Depending on the size of your property, you must adhere to all of the requirements listed below or risk penalties.
Select from the property size option tabs below to see what you need to do at your property to be compliant.
How to Find Help Understanding Your Notice
Book a Ranger Back to Top
Tips on Fire Compliance
Introduction to the Firebreak and Fuel Management Notice: Why It Matters
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Asset Protection Zone
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Thinking About Getting a Contractor to Help?
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A Good Firebreak Example
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Reminders for Rural Landowners
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New short videos will be uploaded here soon.
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Compliance Inspections
Each year, Authorised Officers conduct property compliance inspections. These inspections are to ensure we are all doing our bit to reduce the risk of bushfire in our community.
Important information about inspections:
- Authorised Officers are legally allowed to enter your property to conduct their inspections
- You may receive an infringement if your property is deemed non-compliant
- Your property may be inspected more than once during the maintenance period
- If you would like to apply for a variation to the Notice, you must do this before the deadline.
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Apply for a Variation
Variation Applications for 2024/25 are no longer being accepted.
If you would like to apply for a variation to the Notice, you must do so before 1 October.
In some instances, land owners or occupiers may not be able to meet all of the fire management measures listed in the Firebreak & Fuel Management Notice. To avoid non-compliance, a Variation to Firebreak & Fuel Management Notice is required.
A Variation may be considered for the following reasons:
- Property is steep and inaccessible and the installation of a low fuel boundary access or other fire mitigation measures would be dangerous or impractical.
- Areas of rocky outcrops or cap stone naturally reduce the fire risk or prevents a low fuel boundary access from being installed.
- Parts of the property are permanently water logged.
- Low Fuel Boundary Access (LFBA) can't be installed as close as practicable to the boundary.
- Clearing of vegetation is likely to impact upon areas of declared rare flora or environmentally sensitive areas as defined under the Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004.
- Building positioning on block prevents the installation of an Asset Protection Zone (APZ) of the required size.
- Properties that have an alternative Fire Management Plan developed by an accredited Bushfire Planning and Design (BPAD) practitioner.
- For rural properties that are bona fide agricultural operations:
- actively managed pastures, forming part of an agricultural pursuit, may exceed a 100mm height, if seasonal cropping results in a low fuel boundary being maintained;
- if livestock grazing occurs as part of a managed agricultural pursuit at commercial stocking rates as per the Department of Agriculture & Food guidelines, pastures may exceed 100mm; and
- heavy machinery available on the property to prevent the spread of fire (e.g. bulldozer, grader, plough, scarifier or front end loader).
If a Variation is approved, any special conditions placed on the Variation must be complied with. Any requirements stipulated in the Notice for which a variation has not been granted must meet the specifications of the current Firebreak and Fuel Management Notice.
Variations can be approved for 1 year, 3 years or 5 years. If your variation expires, it's your responsibility to reapply.
Start Your Variation Application Back to Top
Infringement Notice Frequently Asked Questions
I’ve never received an infringement before. Why did I get one this year?
In response to the growing seriousness of the bushfire risk in our Shire, we have strengthened our approach to compliance.
I never received a copy of the Firebreak and Fuel Management Notice. Can I get some leniency?
No.
Infringements are designed to point out the importance of your responsibilities under the Notice and the seriousness of your failure to act. A copy of the Notice was distributed with rates notices, clearly marked as the ‘First and Final Notice’. It is also widely publicized in local media, published in the Western Australian Government Gazette, the Shire website, eNewsletter and social media, and hardcopies are available at the Shire Administration Building.
I’ve fixed the issue at my property now. Can I have my infringement rescinded?
No.
Your property is required to be maintained at the appropriate standard from 1 December to 30 April. If, at any time during the maintenance period, your property is found to be non-compliant, you can expect to receive an infringement. Remember, we may visit more than once, so you must continue maintaining your property to avoid additional penalties.
Why do I need to comply with the Notice?
It’s your responsibility under section 33 of the Bushfires Act 1954.
How do I get assistance to understand what I need to do to bring my property into compliance?
Get started with the information on this page! There are tips, videos, graphics and more available to help you.
I want to appeal my infringement. How do I go about that?
To successfully appeal your infringement, you will require evidence that our Authorised Officer has made a mistake. Click here to get started on your appeal.
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