Bushfire prevention and preparedness starts with you!
When is the Fire Danger Season?
The CFS introduces Fire Restrictions (The Fire Danger Season) for all private land over the summer period of each year. The start and end dates vary from year to year and once they are declared, the dates can be found on the CFS website - www.cfs.sa.gov.au
Fire Danger Season in the Mid North is from 1st of November 2019 until the 30th of April 2020.
Bushfire Hazard Reduction Compliance Notices explained.
It’s about making sure that the people who mean the most to you are safe. Your family, your children, your parents, your grandparents, your friends, you loved ones, your pets.
It’s about a responsibility that you have to protect your home, your assets, your neighbours, your community and your environment in the event of a bushfire.
But most importantly it’s about information, letting you know how you can do your part to be prepared and answering some of the most frequently asked questions to keep you well informed about Council’s duties when it comes to bushfire prevention.
Your obligations
Pursuant to Section 105F of the Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005, an owner of private land must take reasonable steps –
(a) To prevent or inhibit the outbreak of fire on the land; and
(b) To prevent or inhibit the spread of fire through the land; and
(c) To protect property on the land from fire; and
(d) To minimise the threat to human life from a fire on the land.
What is a Bushfire Hazard Reduction Compliance Notice?
Council has both a moral and legal obligation to ensure the community’s risks associated with a Bushfire are reduced. Under the Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005, the Council’s Fire Prevention Officer has the powers to inspect properties and issue a Bushfire Hazard Reduction Compliance Notice. Council also has the legal right to take action to remove or reduce a fire hazard on private land and recoup the costs.
Why did I receive a Bushfire Hazard Reduction Compliance Notice?
The Council’s Fire Prevention Officer has recently assessed your property for fire hazards in the lead up to the Fire Danger Season and determined that you need to reduce fuel loads on your property to reduce the fire risk.
What do I have to do?
You are required to clean up fine fuels (such as leaves, twigs, long grass), dead vegetation and flammable materials to reduce the risk to your property from fire as per the Bushfire Hazard Reduction Compliance Notice. The works must be carried out by the due date to comply, as advised on the Bushfire Hazard Reduction Compliance Notice. (Generally 21 days). You must maintain your property in this state for the duration of the Fire Danger Season.
But I’ve just cut my grass and cleaned up my property!
There can be a small delay between the fire hazard inspection and the issuing of a Bushfire Hazard Reduction Compliance Notice. If you have already carried out what is required on the Notice, then you don’t need to worry. Just ensure that you maintain your property in this state for the duration of the Fire Danger Season. A follow up inspection will identify if the work has been completed to the required standard.
What will happen if I don’t comply with the Notice?
Follow up inspections are carried out on properties that have received a Bushfire Hazard Reduction Compliance Notice. If the works required have not been carried out to the satisfaction of the Fire
Prevention Officer, a contractor will be engaged to carry out the works and the costs will be passed back to you with additional administration fees. You may also receive a $315 fine.
I disagree with the assessment!
Your rights to appeal are on the back of the Bushfire Hazard Reduction Compliance Notice. Please contact the Fire Prevention Officer to discuss your particular situation before the due date to comply (as advised on the Bushfire Hazard Reduction Compliance Notice).
I want to complain about my neighbour’s fire hazard.
Please let the Fire Prevention Officer know if there is a property of concern to you. The Fire Prevention Officer will inspect the property and issue the owner with a Bushfire Hazard Reduction Compliance Notice if necessary.
I have large trees near me that are a fire hazard. What can I do?
Large trees are generally not the main factor in increasing fire intensity and spread. Fine fuels; grass, leaves, bark and twigs (smaller than the diameter of your little finger) are responsible for the major increase in fire intensity and spread.
Will implementing this Bushfire Hazard Reduction Compliance Notice save my home and life?
There are no guarantees of personal or property safety when it comes to a bushfire. The works detailed on the Bushfire Hazard Reduction Compliance Notice are designed to reduce radiant heat, fire intensity and ember attack and minimise direct flame impact on you or your neighbour’s assets.
I need more information about preparing my property for a bushfire.
The CFS has some excellent resources available to assist residents in preparing their homes for a bushfire. Visit their website (www.cfs.sa.gov.au)
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