Bushfire Preparedness
Protecting Your Home
Create a 20 meter circle of safety around your home - rake up leaves and twigs regularly (note where leaves gather, this is where embers will settle in a fire), slash high grass and weeds, trim branches overhanging your house, remove and store fuel supplies and chemicals away from the house, keep gutters clean.
Ensure you comply with local firebreak requirements.
Check condition of roof and repair any spaces where sparks can enter. Cover in open eaves.
Locate LP gas cylinders on the side of the house away from the likely direction of a bush fire.
Have protective clothing on hand for all the family - long sleeved cotton shirt, long cotton trousers, good boots, hat, goggles, gloves.
Checklist if Fire Approaches
Protect yourself - wear protective clothing (see above).
Drink plenty of water, even if you don't feel thirsty.
Wet down the house, block down pipes and fill gutters.
Turn off airconditioners (but leave the water running).
Bring outdoor furniture inside.
Bring in hoses and hose fittings so they wont be destroyed when a fire approaches.
Keep a supply of wet towels and rags to keep yourself cool and for placing at the bottom of doors to stop smoke from entering.
Fill bath, sinks and buckets with water in case the water supply is cut.
Prohibited Burning Times
Under the Bush Fires Act 1954, it is generally an offence to light fires during the Prohibited Burning Time. Penalties of up to $10,000 fine, 12 months’ imprisonment, or both may apply.
Prohibited burning times are as follows:
15 November 2023 to 2 April 2024
Restricted Burning Times
Permits are required to light a fire during the Restricted Burning Time. All permit holders are required to comply with the requirements of the Bush Fire Act 1954. Any additional special conditions imposed on the permit holder must also be complied with.
1 November 2023 to 15 November 2023,
3 April 2024 to 14 May 2024
Seasonal conditions may result in variation to these dates. Any changes will be advertised in local newspapers and updated on this website.
