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
Activate Goomalling Grants
The Goomalling Community Opshop have introduced the new Activate Goomalling grant program, offering two application rounds per year in April and September.
Funding is available to not-for-profit organisations in the community for program delivery and infrastructure projects that benefit people living in the Shire of Goomalling.
The objectives of the program are:
- Enhance the wellbeing of the Goomalling Community
- Increase participation in community activities
- Support lifelong learning and skills development
- Provide opportunities for people to interact socially
- Address the needs/gaps of minority groups
- Protect and enhance the natural environment
- Reduce waste and promote sustainable use of resources.
This round opens 1 September and closes 30 September. Please read through the Grant Guidelines before submitting your Application Form to cdo@goomalling.wa.gov.au.
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.
EOI - Sale of Salvaged Materials - CWA building
Subject to Section 3.58 (3) of the Local Government Act 1995, Council invites expressions of interest to purchase of the following materials:
Timber flooring - 26 clean timber sections, 12 timber sections with carpet residue; 2.2 to 2.5m long, 400 to 600mm wide
Window frames - 6 window frames, various sizes, as pictured
Gutters - 8 good pieces, varying lengths
The materials will be sold on an “as is, where is” basis. For any further information or inspection, please contact Dave Long, Works Manager, 0436 813 959.
Submissions for expressions of interests and offers to purchase material per grouping (all timber, all windows or all gutters) can be forwarded to:
Peter Bentley
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Shire of Goomalling
PO Box 118
Goomalling WA 6460
goshire@goomalling.wa.gov.au
Submissions are to include offer being made (GST inclusive) and must be received by COB Wednesday 14 September 2022.