SHIRE OF NORTHAM

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL OWNERS

AND OCCUPIERS OF LAND WITHIN

THE SHIRE OF NORTHAM

FIREBREAK ORDER  2009/2010

BUSH FIRES ACT, 1954

(As Amended) Section 33

FIREBREAKS MUST BE INSTALLED

BY 1st NOVEMBER EVERY YEAR

AND MAINTAINED CLEAR OF

ALL FLAMMABLE MATERIAL

UP TO AND INCLUDING 30th APRIL

HARVEST BAN

PHONE LINE

(08) 9621 1120

TO REPORT A FIRE

DIAL “000”

 FIREBREAK/FUEL REDUCTION REQUIREMENTS 

The following requirements must be installed by November 1st 2009 and maintained up to and including April 30th 2010. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in

penalties prescribed by the Bush Fires Act.

 URBAN LAND

(includes the town sites/localities of Northam, Grass Valley, Seabrook,

Spencers Brook, Clackline, Bakers Hill and Wundowie)

LAND AREA LESS THAN 2023m2

· All hazardous material must be removed from the whole of the land except living trees, shrubs and plants. In this area remaining vegetation except living trees, shrubs and plants is to be maintained to a height of no greater than 7.5cm.

 LAND AREA GREATER THAN 2023m2 BUT LESS THAN 1 HECTARE 

· All hazardous material must be removed from the whole of the land except living trees, shrubs and plants. In this area remaining vegetation except living trees, shrubs and plants is to be maintained to a height of no greater than 7.5cm      

· It is recommended that a 3 metre wide firebreak should also be installed, clear of all

flammable material, immediately within the external boundaries of the lot.

· As a guideline property owners or occupiers of land are requested, in addition to the applicable firebreak, to clear any flammable material or obstructions (overhanging branches of trees) which may impede the travel of fire fighting personnel and fire appliances.

LAND AREA GREATER THAN 1 HECTARE

· Install a 3 metre wide firebreak, clear of all flammable material, immediately within the external boundaries of the lot and;

· Maintain a 15 metre wide low fuel area with a maximum vegetation height (excepting living trees, shrubs and plants) of 7.5 cm around all buildings.

· As a guideline property owners or occupiers of land are requested, in addition to the applicable firebreak, to clear any flammable material or obstructions (overhanging branches of trees) which may impede the travel of fire fighting personnel and fire appliances.

ALL OTHER NON-URBAN LAND

(includes the Rural Smallholdings zones of Koojedda Hills, Red Courte Estate, Glenmore Park, Mokine, Clackline)

LAND AREA LESS THAN 5 HECTARES

· Install a 3 metre wide firebreak, clear of all flammable material, immediately within the external boundaries of the lot and;

· Install a 3metre firebreak, clear of all flammable material around and within 7 metres of all buildings and fuel storage areas and maintain a 15 metre wide low fuel area with a maximum vegetation (excepting living trees, shrubs and plants) height of 7.5 cm.

· As a guideline property owners or occupiers of land are requested, in addition to the applicable firebreak, to clear any flammable material or obstructions (overhanging branches of trees) which may impede the travel of fire fighting personnel and fire appliances.

LAND AREA GREATER THAN 5 HECTARES

· Install a 3 metre wide firebreak with a 3 metre vertical clearance, clear of all flammable material,  except if the property is being used for pasture cropping where it shall be a minimum of 2 metres in width.

· Install a 3 metre firebreak, clear of all flammable material around and within 7 metres of all buildings and maintain a 15 metre wide low fuel area with a maximum vegetation height (excepting living trees, shrubs and plants) of  7.5 cm and;

· Firebreaks 3 metres wide shall be cleared and maintained within 7 metres around haystacks, fuel storage areas and buildings including a 15 metre wide low fuel zone with a maximum vegetation (excepting living trees, shrubs and plants) height of 7.5cm and;

· A lot greater than 200 hectares requires a 3 metre firebreak around parcels of 200  hectares and;

· Any areas of  standing crop or pasture in excess of 100 hectares requires an additional 3 metre firebreak so that they are no greater than 100 hectares and;

· A 3 metre firebreak is required around all stationary motors

· A 3 metre firebreak is required around all internal fences that are constructed of rubber tyres and;

· Any fences constructed of rubber tyres shall be kept clear of all flammable materials.

· As a guideline property owners or occupiers of land are requested, in addition to the applicable firebreak, to clear any flammable material or obstructions (overhanging branches of trees) which may impede the travel of fire fighting personnel and fire appliances.

ACCESS TO PROPERTY

All buildings and constructions within the Shire of Northam shall have a minimum 3 metre wide access-way with a 3 metre high vertical clearance from the property’s legal access point to the buildings.  The purpose of this access-way is to enable access to property improvements by emergency service vehicles and personnel in an emergency situation.

FAILURE TO COMPLY

Failure to comply with a Firebreak and/or a Fire Hazard Notice carries a maximum fine of $1000 or a prescribed penalty of $250 on service of an infringement.

A person in default is also liable whether prosecuted or not to pay the costs of performing the work directed by this notice if it is not carried out by the owner/occupier by the date

required by the notice.

 DEFINITIONS

For the purposes of this order the following definitions apply:

Firebreak—means ground from which inflammable material has been removed and in which no inflammable material (which includes vegetation) is permitted.

Hazardous Material—relates to any matter or material that can catch alight. It includes garden waste, rubbish and unslashed/mowed long grass.

Low Fuel Area—means an area of land which has no hazardous material within it and is maintained on an ongoing basis during the firebreak period.

ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS

If it is considered impractical or undesirable to provide firebreaks as required within this order, the approval of Council must be obtained for any variation.

Approval will only be granted up to or before the 7th of November of any year, and will not be obtained unless the prior consent of the appropriate fire control officer has been

obtained.

If approval is granted it will be issued in writing and remain until revoked by Council.

HARVEST , MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES AND HOT WORKS BANS

A ban on harvesting, the movement of vehicles in paddocks (except for essential watering of stock) and certain activities in open areas can be imposed during the Restricted or Prohibited burning period when the weather conditions are or are forecast  to be very high or extreme. All landowners, occupiers and contractors within the Shire are required to comply with these bans under the provisions of the Bush Fires Act.

A harvest ban requires the cessation of all harvesting operations within the Shire of Northam. A vehicle movement ban does not permit the movement of vehicles on properties within the Shire of Northam except for the essential watering of stock. A hot works ban is defined as a ban on the outdoor use of all welding, grinding and abrasive tools on properties within the Shire of Northam.  Exemptions in accordance with Council Policy may be available.  Further information is available by contacting Ranger Services on (08) 9622 7267.

The need for a ban  will be advertised on ABC Radio 531AM and RadioWest 864 AM. Updates can be obtained from the Harvest Ban Phone Line on (08) 9622 1120 or www.northam.wa.gov.au

GENERAL ADVICE

This notice gives the minimum requirements for fire control within the Shire of Northam and all  residents and ratepayers are encouraged to undertake additional fire protection measures to ensure the safety of property and life. Further additional information to that contained in this notice can be obtained from the Fire and Emergency Services Authority website www.fesa.wa.gov.au or from the Shire of Northam website www.northam.wa.gov.au.

A permit to burn must be obtained during the Restricted Burning Period. Permits are generally subject to a number of conditions, but will not be issued for burning on Sundays or Public Holidays, unless approved by the Chief Bush Fire Control Officer.

Gas and electric barbeques are permitted at any time during the Restricted Period, but care should be exercised when using them.   Solid fuel barbeques and incinerators are prohibited during the Restricted Period on days of very high or extreme fire danger. A properly constructed incinerator must be used.

Do not light any fires or use Solid fuel barbeques during the prohibited burning period. This includes open cooking or campfires.  Do not burn the road verge without the permission of the Shire and a permit.  Check the weather forecast before undertaking any burning.

PERMIT TO BURN REQUIRED

  RESTRICTED BURNING PERIOD (Zones 4 + 5)

10th October 2009 to 14th November 2009 (Permit to burn required)

PROHIBITED BURNING PERIOD (Zones 4 + 5)

15th November 2009 to 21st February 2010 (No Permits available)

RESTRICTED BURNING PERIOD (Zones 4 + 5)

22nd February 2010 to 13th April 2010 (Permit to Burn required)

ZONE 5 (WESTERN PORTION OF THE SHIRE) - INCLUDES THE LOCALITIES OF BAKERS HILL, INKPEN, WUNDOWIE, KATRINE (part), CLACKLINE AND SPENCERS BROOK

 Permits must be issued by a designated Fire Control Officer .   A list of all Fire Control Officers is available on the Shire of Northam website or by contacting your local Bush Fire Brigade or Council Offices.  Burning permits are issued free of charge.

The above dates may change due to seasonal fire conditions in which case the details of the changes will be published in the local press.

Any queries relating to the location of the zones should be directed to the Shire of Northam. during normal business hours on 9622 6100