Firebreaks reduce the risk of bushfire spreading and ensure firefighters can safely access your property. Learn about annual firebreak requirements and how to request a firebreak variation.
About firebreaks
A firebreak is a strip of land cleared of all inflammable material that is trafficable, meaning a fire appliance can drive along it without obstruction. It must also have no dead ends.
Firebreaks do not stop fires on their own, but they provide essential access for firefighters and help limit the spread of fire.
Firebreaks may be established by ploughing, grading, cultivating, scarifying, raking, burning or chemical spraying. Reticulated and maintained green lawn is also acceptable.
Most properties under 1000 m² will comply if dead leaves and twigs are removed, trees and shrubs are pruned, and lawns are kept short and green where possible.
When to prepare firebreaks
Firebreaks must be installed by 1 November each year and maintained in a compliant condition until 30 April the following year.
Every landowner must meet the annual fire mitigation requirements set out under the City of Wanneroo Fire Mitigation Notice which is a requirement under the Bush Fires Act 1954, Section 33.
The City conducts inspections from 1 November on high-risk properties. Inspections may be carried out by foot, vehicle, quad bike or drone by authorised Fire Control Officers.
Fire mitigation requirements
These requirements apply to all landowners and occupiers under the Bush Fires Act 1954.
Use the City’s mapping system to confirm your property size before checking requirements.
Option 1
Maintain grasses and inflammable materials, with the exception of living trees, on the entire property to a height of no more than 50 millimetres. The entire property is required to be maintained below 50 millimetres from 1 November each year until 30 April the following year.
OR
Option 2
A 3 metre wide trafficable firebreak as close as possible to all external boundaries of the property, free of all inflammable materials and obstructions, must be installed by 1 November each year and maintained until 30 April the following year. A firebreak must not terminate in a dead end.
If it is not possible to install the firebreak adjacent to the external boundary of the property due to naturally occurring obstacles, it is acceptable to install the firebreak around the obstacle. If this requires the firebreak to be greater than 5 metres away from the external boundary, a firebreak variation is required. A variation can be obtained by contacting the City's Emergency Management Team.
Ensure a minimum vertical clearance of 4 metres is maintained along the firebreaks to enable vehicles to drive along the firebreaks without access being obstructed.
Where a property is affected by an approved bushfire management plan, property owners must still comply with all requirements in the Fire Mitigation Notice and with any additional requirements outlined within that plan.
Additional mitigation work may be required by a Fire Control Officer.
A 3 metre wide trafficable firebreak as close as possible to all external boundaries of the property, free of all inflammable materials and obstructions, must be installed by 1 November each year and maintained until 30 April the following year. A firebreak must not terminate in a dead end.
If it is not possible to install the firebreak adjacent to the external boundary of the property due to naturally occurring obstacles, it is acceptable to install the firebreak around the obstacle. If this requires the firebreak to be greater than 5 metres away from the external boundary, a firebreak variation is required. A variation can be obtained by contacting the City's Emergency Management Team.
Ensure a minimum vertical clearance of 4 metres is maintained along the firebreaks to enable vehicles to drive along the firebreaks without access being obstructed;
Install and maintain a 20 metre bare earth area around all hay stacks and fuel storage.
Where a property is affected by an approved bushfire management plan, property owners must still comply with all requirements in the Fire Mitigation Notice and with any additional requirements outlined within that plan.
Additional mitigation work may be required by a Fire Control Officer.
A 3 metre wide trafficable firebreak as close as possible to all external boundaries of the property, free of all inflammable materials and obstructions, must be installed by 1 November each year and maintained until 30 April the following year. A firebreak must not terminate in a dead end.
Ensure a minimum vertical clearance of 4 metres is maintained along the firebreaks to ensure vehicles can drive along the firebreaks without being impeded by tree branches.
For pastoral and grassed properties in rural and semi-rural areas, if the land is an area of 50,000sqm (5 hectares) or greater, the grass must be maintained on the land to a height of no greater than 50 millimetres for a distance of 10 metres from any firebreak.
Firebreak variation
If it is impracticable to meet the requirements, a variation application must be submitted before 1 October.
A variation is not an exemption – only an approval to apply alternative mitigation methods. If approval is not granted, the above requirements must be complied with.
Upload a map of the proposed variation when applying. Contact the Emergency Management Team if you need assistance before submitting your form.
If a property is not compliant, the owner:
Will be fined $250
Must carry out the required works
May incur penalties up to $5,000 for continued non-compliance
Will have works completed by the City at their expense if they fail to act.
Additional works
As per the Fire Mitigation Notice, the City may require further works in accordance with the Bush Fires Act 1954. Landowners will be notified in writing if additional mitigation is required.
The City strongly recommends establishing and maintaining a 20 metre asset protection zone around buildings.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. All City of Wanneroo property owners must comply with the Fire Mitigation Notice which is a requirement of the Bush Fires Act 1954. Firebreak requirements must be in place by 1 November.
Inspections may be conducted by foot, vehicle and/or drone by authorised Fire Control Officers.
All properties must be compliant by 1 November. Please contact the Emergency Management team on 9405 5000.
Yes. Vacant land must install a 3 m firebreak by 1 November each year.
Please contact the Emergency Management team on 9405 5000 or complete the firebreak variation online form. If permission is not granted, the Notice requirements must be met by 1 November.
