The Bush Fires Act 1954, requires all land owners to carry out fire mitigation works, such as firebreaks, on land that is owned or occupied.
A firebreak means a strip of land which has been cleared of all flammable material such as wood, leaves and grass that is likely to be ignited and capable of burning. It must be trafficable, meaning it must be accessible by a fire appliance and cleared of vegetation to a maximum height of 50mm, without any obstruction to the vehicle. A firebreak cannot terminate or lead to a dead end.
While firebreaks do not actually stop fires or prevent them, they do provide vehicle access for firefighters during a bushfire and assist with the prevention of fires spreading.
Land owners can clear firebreaks by ploughing, grading, cultivating, scarifying, raking, burning and chemical spraying (reticulated and maintained green lawn is acceptable as a fire break).
FIREBREAKS MUST BE IN PLACE BY 1 NOVEMBER EACH YEAR AND MAINTAINED UNTIL 30 APRIL THE FOLLOWING YEAR.
This is a requirement under the Bush Fires Act 1954 Section 33.
The City of Wanneroo conducts firebreak inspections from 1 November each year. Failure to comply may incur penalties of up to $5000 and the works required will be carried out by the City of Wanneroo at the expense of the owner/occupier.
Fire management requirements for land LESS than 4000m²
- Maintain grasses and flammable 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
- A 3 metre wide trafficable fire break as close as possible to all external boundaries of the property must be installed by 1 November each year and maintained until 30 April the following year
- If it is not possible to install the fire break adjacent to the external boundary of the property due to naturally occurring obstacles, it is acceptable to install the fire break around the obstacle. If this requires the fire break to be greater than 5 metres away from the external boundary, a fire break variation is required.
- Ensure a minimum vertical clearance of 4 metres is maintained along the fire breaks to enable vehicles to drive along the fire breaks 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 Break Notice and with any additional requirements outlined within that plan.
Fire management requirements for land GREATER than 4000m²
- A 3 metre wide trafficable fire break as close as possible to all external boundaries of the property must be installed by 1 November each year and maintained until 30 April the following year
- If it is not possible to install the fire break adjacent to the external boundary of the property due to naturally occurring obstacles, it is acceptable to install the fire break around the obstacle. If this requires the fire break to be greater than 5 metres away from the external boundary, a fire break variation is required.
- Ensure a minimum vertical clearance of 4 metres is maintained along the fire breaks to enable vehicles to drive along the fire breaks without access being obstructed;
- Install and maintain a 20 metre bare earth area around all hay stacks and fuel dumps.
- 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.
All vacant land GREATER than 4000m²
- A 3 metre wide trafficable fire break as close as possible to all external boundaries of the property must be installed by 1 November each year and maintained until 30 April the following year.
- Ensure a minimum vertical clearance of 4 metres is maintained along the fire breaks to ensure vehicles can drive along the fire breaks without being impeded by tree branches.
- If the land is an area of 50,000m² (5 hectares) or greater, the grass must be maintained on the land to a height no greater than 50mm for a distance of 10m from any fire break.
How to check your property size
Fire mitigation requirements are dependent on your property size. Visit the City's mapping system and follow the steps below to check the size of your property:
Visit the City's GIS mapping system. Select 'I accept' and then click on 'Continue'
Click on 'House Search'.
Type in your property address and click on 'Search'. Your property size will be displayed in the column on the right-hand side of the screen under 'Area'. It will be displayed in square metres (M) or hectares (H).
Application to vary the above requirements
If it is considered impracticable for any reason to implement any of the above requirements, an application for a fire break variation must be made no later than 18th October of each year to the City of Wanneroo for permission to provide alternative fire mitigation measures and will remain in effect unless significant changes to the property occur or the City of Wanneroo revokes the variation.
If permission is not granted, the above requirements must be complied with.
Apply for a Firebreak Variation
Firebreak Notice and information
Frequently asked questions
I live in a residential area, does the Fire Mitigation Notice apply to me?
Yes. All property owners must comply with the Fire Mitigation Notice. This is a requirement under the Bush Fires Act 1954.
Most properties under 1000sqm will automatically comply if dead leaves and twigs have been cleared, trees and shrubs are pruned and lawns are kept short and green where possible.
Do I need a Bushfire Survival Plan?
If you live within the City of Wanneroo, the chances are you either live in or near bushland. Almost all of the City has been classified as having high to extreme risk of bushfire.
Your best chance of surviving a bushfire is to plan what you would do if one was to come your way. Prepare your plan, discuss and share it with members of your household/network and test it.
For further information on how to prepare a Bushfire Survival Plan, visit DFES | My Bushfire Plan WA: Prepare for an Emergency.
I am concerned my neighbour’s property is not compliant, what can I do?
All properties are required to be compliant by 1 November and maintained in that state until 30 April each year.
If you think your neighbour’s property does not comply with the requirements as outlined in the Fire Mitigation Notice, please let the City know by calling 9405 5000.
Remember, even if your neighbour’s property is compliant or non-complaint, you still need to have a Bushfire Survival Plan if you live in a bushfire prone area.
I own a vacant lot, do I need a firebreak?
A 3 metre wide trafficable firebreak as close as possible to all external boundaries of the property must be installed by 1 November each year and maintained until 30 April the following year.
I am unable to meet the requirements outlined in the Fire Mitigation Notice, what should I do?
If it is considered impracticable for any reason to implement any of the requirements in the Fire Mitigation Notice, an application for a firebreak variation must be made to the City of Wanneroo by no later than 18 October of each year.
If permission is provided for alternative fire mitigation measures, it will remain in effect unless significant changes to the property occur or the City of Wanneroo revokes the variation. If permission is not granted, the requirements of this Notice must be complied with.
Visit wanneroo.wa.gov.au/firebreakvariation to apply for a variation.
When does the City conduct property inspections and which properties will they inspect?
The City conducts property inspections from 1 November each year on properties that are classified as high risk.
The fire risk on a property is determined by a number of factors. The higher the risk factors that apply to a property, the more fire protection measures are needed.
Factors determining risk levels include the length of the fire season, how steep any slope is, how much vegetation exists and how dry it is, how often bushfires have occurred in the area and finally, how good and accessible existing roads are.
What will happen if a property is non-compliant?
If a property owner has failed to meet the requirements outlined in the Fire Mitigation Notice, they will be fined $250 and be required to carry out necessary work.
Continued failure to comply may incur penalties of up to $5,000. Works required will be completed by the City at the expense of the owner/occupier.
Requirements in the Fire Mitigation Notice have been updated recently. Why has this changed?
Firebreaks are now required to have a minimum vertical clearance of 4 metres. This has been introduced to allow for larger firefighting vehicles to access property and protect it.
For land greater than 4000sqm, a 20 metre bare earth area around all hay stacks and/or fuel dumps needs to be installed and maintained. This will provide sufficient space and safety for firefighters to perform bushfire suppression activities and avoid a fire gaining greater intensity and flame length.
Where can I learn more about preparing my property and home for bushfire?
- Visit the City’s website wanneroo.wa.gov.au/fireinformation
- Sign up to the City’s biannual Emergency Management eNews
Additional works
In addition to the requirements of the Fire Mitigation Notice, further works may need to be carried out to reduce the risk of bushfire which are considered necessary by a City of Wanneroo Authorised Officer and in line with the City’s Bushfire Risk Management Plan. Landowners who need to carry out further works will be notified via a separate letter to the address of the owner/s as shown on the City of Wanneroo rates record for the relevant land.
For further information call the City of Wanneroo Community Safety and Emergency Management Team on 9405 5000
A compliant fire break needs to be 3m wide and trafficable with a vertical clearance of not less than 4m.
This non-compliant fire break shows grass/weed regrowth and no vertical 4m clearance.