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Burning Regulations

Services

Burning within the townships of Tumby Bay, Port Neill, Lipson and Ungarra

GAZETTED TOWNSHIPS BURNING OF VEGETATION OUTSIDE THE FIRE DANGER SEASON

Section 5 of the Environment Protection (Air Quality) Policy 2016 requires people residing in gazetted townships obtain authorisation (clause 6) prior to undertaking the following outside the fire danger season – “the burning of vegetation or agricultural waste”.

The District Council of Tumby Bay hereby gives landholders within gazetted townships the authorisation to undertake burning of vegetation or agricultural waste outside a fire danger season subject to the following conditions.

Conditions of Authorisation by Council

  1. The burning activity takes place only on land owned by the person or, if leasing, on land with the consent or authority of the land owner.
  2. The vegetation must have originated from the property on which it is being burnt.
  3. The person should notify all adjoining neighbours at least 24 hours before the burning is to take place.
  4. The person must comply with any mandatory measures and have regard to any recommended measures of a prescribed burning code or practice that applies to the burning activity. i.e.:
  • SACFS Vegetation Pile Burning – April 2015
  • EPA – Burning in the Open Chart
  • EPA – Air Quality Policy Brochure
  1. Burning may not be undertaken on a Sunday or Public Holiday or a day declared a day of Total Fire Ban.
  2. All vegetation piles to be burnt should have a cleared break of at least 4m from any other flammable material including grass.
  3. Stockpiles of vegetation (other than agricultural waste) shall not be larger than 2m x 2m x 1m high.  Multiple stockpiles of vegetation (other than agricultural waste) shall not be allowed to burn at the same time.
  4. Ensure you have adequate water supplies on hand to extinguish the burn. Ensure you have a hose that can reach the vegetation pile and all of the way around the pile and have tested your water supply.
  5. The burning activity may only take place between 12:00 noon to 6:00pm.
  6. This authorisation does not extend to any other material besides dry and matured agricultural or vegetation waste.
  7. For the avoidance of doubt the policy only allows the burning of vegetation and agricultural waste and the following materials or any other hazardous waste are not permitted to be burnt:
  • Tyres
  • Green garden waste
  • Materials such as clippings and mulch – mixed in with soil
  • Plastic
  • Cardboard
  • Chemical containers
  • Treated timber
  • Other materials prescribed by legislation

All property owners and residents must abide by this policy at all times.  Conducting burning activities other than in accordance with this policy can result in maximum penalties of up to $4,000 and expiations of $300.

This authorisation is valid for the period 15th April 2020 until the commencement of the 2020/2021 Fire Season unless revoked.

TREVOR J SMITH
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Burning Within the Township - Information Flyer 2019-2020(108 kb)

Burning During the Fire Danger Season

The Fire Danger Season commences on 1st November 2020 and continues through until the 15th April 2021 inclusive.

Please click on the links below to view the Voluntary Codes of Practice and Local Permit Conditions.

To complete an electronic form and submit to Council, please click on the below links.

Fire Regulations During the Fire Danger Season

ACTIVITY
FIRE DANGER SEASON
TOTAL FIRE BAN DAY
Can I light a fire in the open air for burning off grass, stubble, weeds, undergrowth or other vegetation?

No. Unless you have obtained a Schedule 9 permit from your local Council.

No. Unless you have obtained a Schedule 10 permit from your local Council.

Can I burn off rubbish or grass cuttings?

No. Unless you have recieved permission from your local council. You must have:

  • A four-metre cleared space around and above.
  • A responsible person must be in attendance at all times with water or an extinguisher.

You will require a Schedule 9 permit from your local council. Check with your local council and the Environment Protection Authority, which also have control over the lighting of fires. Some councils have totally prohibited fires for waste disposal on domestic premises.  

No. Unless you have a schedule 10 permit from your local Council.

The lighting of incinerators is banned on a Total Fire Ban day.

Can I light a campfire, bonfire or light a fire for warmth or comfort?

Yes, but only if:

  • In a properly constructed fireplace; or
  • In a portable cooking appliance; or
  • The fire is in a 30cm deep trench and no more than one  metre square in area and
  • You have a four metre cleared space around and above the fire.
  • A responsible person is in attendance at all times.
  • An adequate agent to extinguish the fire is at hand.
No. Unless you have a schedule 10 permit from your local Council.
Can I use a gas or an electric barbecue?
Yes. Providing you have:
  • A four metre cleared space around and above the gas fire or electric element.
  • A responsible person is in attendance at all times.
  • An adequate agent to extinguish the fire is at hand.
Yes. Providing it is gas or an electric element and used:
  • Within 15 metres of domestic premises, or
  • On a coastal foreshore

Providing you have:

  • A four metre cleared area around and above the barbeque.
  • A responsible person is in attendance at all times with water or an extinguisher at hand.
Can I drive a vehicle off road?

Yes. You can drive a vehicle within 2 metres of flammable bush or grass provided that the engine is fitted with an exhaust system that complies with the requirements listed below.

An engine or vehicle exhaust system complies if:

(a) all engine exhaust emitted by the engine or vehicle exits through the system; and

(b) the system, or a device or devices forming part of the system, is designed to prevent the escape of burning material from the system; and

(c) the system, or a device or devices forming part of the system, is designed to prevent heated parts of the system from coming into contact with flammable material; and

(d) the system is in good working order.

Yes. You can drive a vehicle within 2 metres of flammable bush or grass provided that the engine is fitted with an exhaust system that complies with the requirements listed below.

An engine or vehicle exhaust system complies if:

(a) all engine exhaust emitted by the negine or vehicle exits through the system; and

(b) the system, or a device or devices forming part of the system, is designed to prevent the escape of burning material from the system; and

(c) the system, or a device or devices forming part of the system, is designed to prevent heated parts of the system from coming into contact with flammable material; and

(d) the system is in good working order.

Can I have a fire in a National Park Reserve or a forest reserve?
Yes. Although strict regulations apply to all fires (including barbeques) in government reserves, and bans apply during declared dates. For further information contact the relevant government office. No.  Fires are NOT permitted.
Can I use fireworks?

No. Private use of fireworks is banned.

Licensed pyrotechnicians can conduct firework displays providing a Schedule 9 permit has been obtained.

No. Private use of fireworks is banned.

Licensed pyrotechnicians can conduct firework displays providing a Schedule 10 permit has been obtained.

Can I use a grinder or welder outside?

Yes. Providing you have:

  • A four metre cleared space around and above the area.
  • A responsible person is in attendance at all times the appliance is in use.
  • A portable water spray in good working order is at hand.
No. Unless you have obtained a Schedule 10 permit from your local Council.
Can I use a chainsaw, grass trimmer, lawn mower or slasher?

Yes. Provided that the engine is fitted with an exhaust system that complies with the requirements listed above (in the section regarding driving a vehicle off road) and

  • You have a four metre cleared space around the area or
  • The operator has a shovel or rake and a portable water spray in good working order.

Yes. Provided that the engine is fitted with an exhaust system that complies with the requirements listed above (in the section regarding driving a vehicle off road) and

  • You have a four metre cleared space around the area or
  • The operator has a shovel or rake and a portable water spray in good working order.
Can I use a pizza oven?

Yes. Provided it is a gas or electric - see above for barbeques.

If wood fired, it must comply with CFS code of practice for wood fired pizza ovens or you must obtain a Schedule 9 permit from your local council.

No. Unless it is gas or electric - see above for barbeques - or you have obtained a Schedule 10 permit from your local council.

For more information contact Mr Trevor Franklin on 0429 882 070 or contact the Council Office or visit the CFS website.