FORM 4 - NOTICE PURSUANT TO SCHEDULE 6.3 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1995 REQUIRING PAYMENT OF OUTSTANDING RATES OR SERVICE CHARGES
New Australian Fire Danger Rating System
The new and standardised Australian Fire Danger Rating System (AFDRS) comes into effect 1 September 2022.
It is important that all residents understand what this means for bushfire plans, and how this affects those who use fire.
What changes?
Number of Rating Classifications: The iconic ‘watermelon’ style indicator will be reduced from six ratings to four (Moderate, High, Extreme, Catastrophic). The system also has a ‘no rating’ used where there is no tangible fire risk.
‘HIGH’ is the new ‘VERY HIGH’ – Legislation dictates what burning/activities may or may not be undertaken in certain conditions with added restrictions formerly triggered at ‘VERY HIGH’. Under the AFDRS scale, all such restrictions will now commence at a Fire Danger Rating of ‘HIGH’. This applies in particular to permit holders during the Restricted Burning Period – all permits will be automatically void on days forecast as HIGH or above.
What doesn’t change?
The purpose of Total Fire Bans and Harvest Vehicle Movement and Hot Works Bans and the methods of how they are communicated are unaffected by the new ADFRS.
Goomalling’s forecast district of Avon is unaffected by changes.
Where to find the Fire Danger Rating:
For more information about the AFDRS visit https://www.afac.com.au/initiative/afdrs
Fire Break Notice & Fire Safety Information
Pursuant to Section 33 of the Bush Fires Act 1954, all residents and ratepayers within the Shire of Goomalling are required to comply with the requirement set out in this notice.
Due Date: 31st October in each year
Maintained Until: 31st March in the following year
NB: Land purchased within the above period must comply with this notice within 14 days from purchase.
Fire-break requirements
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Land within the Gazetted Goomalling Townsite
1.1 All Townsite Lots with an area less than 4,000 m² in area are required to be fire hazard reduced by:
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- Removal of all inflammable material or
- Reduction of the vegetation fire hazard to a maximum height of 75 mm. All slashed material is to be removed.
1.2 All Townsite Lots with an area greater than or equal to 4,000 m² shall comply with either clause 1.1 above or clauses 2.1 and 2.2 of this notice.
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Land outside the Gazetted Goomalling Townsite
2.1 All land which is used for growing crop or pasture requires a fire-break 3 metres wide and 4 metres high installed immediately inside the external boundaries of the land and any adjoining road and railway reserves.
2.2 A fire-break 3 meters wide and 4 metres high shall be cleared and maintained immediately around all buildings, haystacks and fuel storage areas. In addition to this, a 15 metre wide low fuel area with a maximum vegetation height of 75 mm is to be maintained. NB: It is not required to remove live trees or shrubs.
2.3 A fire-break 3 metres wide and 4 metres high shall be cleared and maintained immediately around a stationary motor.
2.4 All Rural and Rural Residential Lots with an area less than 4,000 m² in area are required to be fire hazard reduced by:
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- Removal of all inflammable material or
- Reduction of the vegetation fire hazard to a maximum height of 75 mm. All slashed material is to be removed.
Variations to Fire-break Notice
If for any reason it is not possible to comply with any of the requirements of the Fire-break Notice, you should apply for a variation. All variation requests must be received by the Shire of Goomalling by 1 October in any given year.
Variation requests must be in writing and provide details of preferred alternate measures. If approved the variation will form an individual Fire-break Notice for the property and remain in place until revoked.
Compliance Inspections
Pursuant to Section 14 of the Bush Fires Act 1954 the Shire of Goomalling conducts compliance inspections from 1 November to 30 April to ensure that compliance with the notice has been achieved and maintained.
Penalties apply including infringement, prosecution or recovery of costs by the Shire of Goomalling.