BUSH FIRE NOTICE 2014/2015
Bush Fires Act 1954 (S33.1)
Notice to all owners and occupiers of land within the City of Nedlands
As a measure for preventing the outbreak of a bush fire, or for preventing the spread
or extension of a bush fire which may occur, all owners and occupiers of land and
verge adjacent to that land, within the City of Nedlands’ district, are required on or
before the 30th day of November in each year, or within 14 days of becoming an
owner or occupier if after that date:
Residential Land - Slash all grass and clear all inflammable matter on the land and
verge to a height no greater than 5cm and to maintain all grass and all inflammable
matter on the land and verge at a height no greater than 5cm up to and including the
31st day of March in the following year.
All Other Land - Slash all grass and clear all inflammable matter on the land and
verge to a height no greater than 5cm, for a width of no less than three metres (3m),
immediately inside the external boundaries of the property. In addition, trees must be
trimmed back to provide a vertical clearance of a minimum three and a half metres
(3.5m) to allow fire appliances to drive along the firebreak.
An owner or occupier of the land and verge adjacent that land who fails or neglects
to comply with the requisitions of a notice given pursuant to section 33(1) of the Bush
Fires Act 1954 within the time specified in the notice commits an offence and is liable
to a penalty of $5,000 and the City of Nedlands may direct its officers together with
such servants, workmen or contractors, and with such vehicles, machinery and
appliances as the officers deem fit, to enter upon the land and verge and carry out
the requisitions of the notice which have not been complied with and the City of
Nedlands may recover the amount of any costs and expenses incurred in carrying
out those requisitions in any court of competent jurisdiction as a debt due from the
owner or occupier of the land.
If it is impracticable for any reason to clear firebreaks or take measures in
accordance with this notice, you may apply to the City of Nedlands in writing before
the 19th day of November of each year for permission to provide fire breaks in
alternative positions or to take alternative measures to prevent the outbreak or
spread of a bush fire. If permission is not granted in writing by the City, you shall
comply with the requirements of this Notice.
The requirements of this Notice should be carried out by means other than burning,
for example, mowing and rotary hoeing.
Burning Garden Refuse - Pursuant to the powers contained in Section 24G(2) of
the Bush Fires Act 1954, the City of Nedlands prohibits the burning of all garden
refuse within its district between the 1st day of December in each year up to and
including the 31st day of March in the following year. This prohibition applies to all
persons within the City’s district. Failure to comply with this prohibition is an offence
with a maximum penalty of $3,000.
Greg Trevaskis
Chief Executive Officer