What is the Fire-break and Hazard Reduction Notice?
The Fire-break and Hazard Reduction Notice is a notice issued under section 33 of the Bush Fires Act 1954 and is a notice to all landowners and/or occupiers outlining requirements that are to be undertaken in preparation for the bushfire seasons.
When is the Fire-break and Hazard Reduction Notice distributed?
The notice is distributed and available
- Each year with your Rates
- On the City of Armadale website
- At the City of Armadale libraries
- At the City of Armadale administration office
The notice is also published in the Government Gazette, the Armadale Examiner and the Roleystone Courier.
When do I have to comply with the notice?
Your property must be prepared before 1 November each year and be maintained up to and including 31 March the following year. If you have recently purchased a property you must comply with the Fire-break and Hazard Reduction notice within fourteen days of becoming the owner or occupier.
What happens if I do not comply with the Notice?
The City may issue an infringement and undertake works on your property to ensure it complies with the Notice. If you fail or neglect to comply with the Notice, you may also be found guilty of an offence and may incur a maximum penalty of $5,000. If the City has to carry out works on your property, you will be liable for any costs and expenses incurred.
What happens if I am selling my property during this time?
It is the current property owner’s responsibility to comply with the conditions in the Fire-Break and hazard Reduction Notice. If you intend to sell the property it is still expected that while you are the owner of the property up until the final day of settlement the Notice requirements are completed.
I am having difficulty getting the work done by the deadline. Can I have an extension?
Unfortunately, you are not able to get an extension and you are required to comply by the date specified in the Notice.
What is a fire-break and why do I need one?
A fire-break is a strip of land free of all flammable material that is likely to be ignited and capable of burning. Fire-breaks are required on properties over 5,000m2 and are intended to slow the spread of low intensity bushfires and provide safe access for fire appliances and emergency vehicles around the perimeter of your property. It must be trafficable, three (3) metres wide with a four (4) metre high clearance and provide safe unobstructed access.
My property is smaller than 5,000m2 do I need a fire-break?
Whilst a fire-break is not required on your property you do need to ensure all flammable matter on the entire property (noting that this does not include living trees, shrubs, plants and reticulated lawns under cultivation) is reduced and maintained to a height of less than five (5) centimeters.
Can you provide a contractor list?
The City has a contractor list available to assist residents to meet their obligations as property owners. Please note that in providing this information, the City of Armadale makes no recommendation and gives no warranty as to the suitability or competency of any of the businesses listed. A copy of the list can be obtained by phoning Ranger and Emergency Services on 9394 5000.
How can I dispose of vegetation from clearing the firebreaks?
There are several options for you to dispose of your vegetation. Some suggestions are:
- Burning during the restricted and unrestricted burning periods. For further details on burning please visit Burning garden waste
- Mulching green waste and re-using it on your garden
- Taking green waste to the local waste facility, such as the Roleystone Green Waste Facility or the Armadale Landfill and Recycling Facility
- Utilising the green waste verge collection service
- Placing garden waste in your household red lid general waste bin
You can find a complete list of property requirements in the Fire-break and Hazard Reduction Notice linked below.
What is an application to vary a Fire-break?
If you consider for any reason that it is impractical to meet the requirements of the Fire-break and Hazard Reduction Notice you can request authorisation to employ other methods of fire prevention. In some instances naturally occurring features such as rocky outcrops, natural watercourses or landscaping such as reticulated gardens, lawns or driveways may be an acceptable substitute for a fire-break.
To apply for an application to vary the fire-break on your property, please complete the form at the link below.
When do I have to apply?
Applications must be submitted each year prior to 1 October. Approvals are valid from the date of issued until the 31 March. A new application is required each year.
What if my application is not approved?
If your application to vary the fire-break is not approved you will be required to comply with the Fire-break and Hazard Reduction Notice.
Are Fire Control Officers allowed to enter my property without my permission?
Yes, under section 14 of the Bush Fires Act 1954 Fire Control Officers are authorised to enter any land for the purpose of examining firebreaks and examining anything which may be considered to be a fire hazard. Officers inspecting your property will be easily identified by driving appropriately marked City vehicles and dressed in protective clothing to ensure they are visible to the public.
How will I know if my property has been inspected and if it has complied?
If the property is marked as compliant you will receive no further communication. If your property is assessed as non-compliant you will receive written notice.
Can I book a fire hazard assessment in advance?
Officers plan to strategically assess properties across all city suburbs. Due to the high volume of properties, we cannot accommodate advance bookings.
A permit to burn (set fire to bush on land in the City of Armadale) is required for the burning of any bush, large quantities of garden rubbish or refuse between 1 October and 30 November and 1 April and 31 May.
It is prohibited to burn on a Sunday or Public Holiday in accordance with clause 49 (2) (a) of the City of Armadale Environment, Animals and Nuisance Local Laws 2002.
You can apply for a Fire Permit from the City's Administration on Monday, Wednesday and Friday between the hours of 3 to 4pm. Alternatively, please complete the application form downloadable below and submit via email, or in person, to the City at least three (3) business days prior to the intended burn period.
To obtain a permit please complete the application form below and submit via email, or in person, to the City at least three (3) business days prior to the intended burn period.
Once the application has been assessed, a copy of the permit and conditions will be issued to the permit holder, either by email or for collection from the City’s Administration Centre during office hours.
More information about burning permits and when to burn is available in the guide below.
For information about general fire safety and fire danger ratings please visit the Bushfire safety page.
If you have any questions please contact us.
| Do you know how and where to get a fire permit from? | Permits are issued from the City's Administration on Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 3 to 4pm. Fire permits can also be applied for online via the City's website armadale.wa.gov.au. No burning on Sundays or Public Holidays. |
|---|---|
| Do you know when to obtain a permit to burn? | Burning permits are required if you are going to burn any trees, bush, or garden refuse during the restricted burning periods from 1 October to 30 November and again from 1 April through to 31 May. |
| Do you know how much a permit costs? | A fire permit is totally free! |
| Do you know how long a fire permit is valid? | The City only issues a permit to burn for a 14 days period. |
| Do you know what time you can burn with a fire permit? | The fire must be out by 11pm and fully extinguished by midnight. Please be mindful of your neighbours when conducting your burn in the early morning and late evening. |
| Do you know when burning is prohibited? | The Prohibited Burning Period is between the 1st December and the 31st March each year. This means all open fires, including solid fueled BBQs, pizza ovens and chimeneas that are used for the purposes of camping and cooking, however this prohibition does not apply to gas appliances that do not consume solid fuel comprising of a fire, the flame of which is encapsulated by the appliance. |
| Do you know if you need to notify anyone when you’re going to burn? | Under the permit condition you are required to contact DFES and your neighbours before starting your burn. |
| Do you know how to know the current Fire Danger Rating? | Fire danger rating are issued by the Bureau of Meteorology and listed on the Emergency WA website. The City places an alert on the landing page of the City’s website. Currently there are two electronic fire danger rating boards on Albany Highway and Brookton Highway and two older style fire danger boards at Bedfordale and Roleystone fire stations. |
| Do you know what a Total Fire Ban Means? | During a total fire ban you must not light a fire in the open air or use any equipment in the open air that is likely to emit sparks. This includes the use of wood fuel BBQs, pizza ovens, chimeneas and incinerators; angle grinders, welders & chainsaws; lawn mowers or brush cutters; candles. |
| Do you know what equipment is prohibited during a total fire ban? | You must not use any wood fired BBQs, pizza oven, angle grinders, welders, chainsaws, lawnmowers or brush cutters in the open air or anything that can cause a spark. |
| Do you know what a vehicle and harvest movement ban is? | Harvest and Vehicle Movement Bans are issued by your local government and are put in place when your local Bushfire Control Officer identifies the use of engines, vehicles, plant or machinery as high bushfire risk activities, during particular times of the day. These times are called prohibited burning times and/or restricted burning times and vary between the individual local governments. As a guide, these times generally extend over the traditional summer period from October through to April. |
| Do you know who to report a fire to? | If you see a fire during the restricted period and no one is in attendance please contact 000 straight away. If you see any fire during the prohibited period ring 000. Make sure you have accurate details on the location of the fire so that fire crews can be directed to the site as soon as possible. |
| Do you know if you should have a bushfire plan? | Everyone that lives in a bush area or travels through bush regularly should have a bushfire plan, it only takes a short period of time to put a plan in place for what you and your family will do in a bushfire situation. Get your family together and discuss what you will do if required during a bushfire so that everyone in the house know what they need to do. Contact the City or your local fire brigade for advice if you would like some help putting a plan together. |
| Do you know where to get the bushfire preparation tool kit? | You can't outrun it, or outlast it, so plan to outsmart it! Be ready for bushfire season by grabbing your toolkit from the City of Armadale admin building front counter or visit dfes.wa.gov.au for a copy. |
X Prohibited Burning Time extended until 11.59pm on Monday 14 April 2025 READ MORE