The Shire of Augusta Margaret River provides an annual Firebreak Notice to property owners in the region. The Notice determines what steps a property owner must take to facilitate easy access for a fire appliance on their land in an emergency.
This page details important information regarding the Notice, including dates, definitions, requirements, inspections, access, variations, and compliance.
The Annual Firebreak Notice sets out the requirements for property preparedness to assist in the control of fires and reduce the risk of fire to the community. A summary is provided below.
All land is to be maintained from 30 November up to and including 12 May as specified in the Notice. Properties subject to an approved Bushfire Management Plan must comply with the requirements of their Plan.
Please note: The dates below are subject to change at short notice due to variable weather conditions. Please monitor the Shire’s website for updates, sign up to receive media releases or check the Shire's Facebook page. Always call your area Fire Control Officer (FCO) or the Shire Rangers to check prior to lighting up.
Firebreaks must be installed on or before 30 November
Firebreaks must be maintained up to and including 12 May
APZs must be maintained all year round
Permits Required
9 November to 22 December
Burning Prohibited (Guidelines only, refer to Burning Periods for up to date info).
23 December to 14 March (Extended to 16 April 2024)
Permits Required
15 March to 12 May
For the purpose of the Notice, the following definitions apply:
A Bushfire Management Plan (BMP) is a plan prepared specifically for a property in satisfaction of a development approval or subdivision condition.
Properties subject to an approved BMP must comply with the requirements of their plan in addition to the requirements of the Notice.
Note: At the Shire of Augusta Margaret River's discretion, Variations may recognise alternate methods and requirements for compliance in an approved BMP.
All landowners/occupiers must carry out fire prevention work in accordance with the requirements of the Notice on or before 30 November. All land is to be maintained up to and including 12 May.
Please note: Asset Protection Zone (APZ) requirements apply to all properties (excluding vacant lots), regardless of size, and must be maintained all year round.
Clearing in excess of the requirements in the Firebreak Notice or a Bushfire Management Plan will be required to comply with the Local Planning Scheme and Clearing Regulations and may require a Permit.
Property Type | Firebreak Requirements | Asset Protection Zone (APZ) | Grass slashed/mowed to less than 10cm | Driveway/Access way | Gutters and rooftops free of debris |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Lots 4000m2 and under |
| Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Residential/ Rural Residential Lots 4001m2 and over |
| Yes | Vacant/ cleared land that is not being actively grazed | Yes | Yes |
Rural Lots (excluding plantations, vineyards, orchards and olive groves) |
| Yes | Vacant/ cleared land that is not being actively grazed | Yes | Yes |
Plantations |
| Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Vineyards, Orchards and Olive Groves |
| Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Owners and occupiers who would like an early inspection by appointment, for reasons including biosecurity, locked gates, and dangerous animals, or for an explanation of the requirements of the Notice, should contact Rangers as soon as possible and by no later than 1 November.
Where inspections by appointment are not requested, Rangers are appointed as Bush Fire Control Officers with the power to enter land under the Bush Fires Act 1954 and will be inspecting properties for compliance without further notice from 1 December.
In order for fire appliances to access your property safely, firebreaks must be 3 metres wide and have at least 4 metres of vertical clearance. Fire appliances must be able to fit through gates on your property. The average fire appliance is 9 metres in length.
Find out about the disposal of bulk green waste.
Where compliance with the Firebreak Notice is not practical due to environmental considerations or site specific constraints such as water course or steep gradients, owners may apply to the Shire of Augusta Margaret River for a Variation to the Firebreak Notice.
Variations must provide an alternative means of meeting the objectives of the Notice, including bushfire risk mitigation and property access, taking into account site specific constraints and advantages and not all properties will be able to accommodate Variations.
Applications must be completed on the approved form, which is available upon request or can be downloaded via the Shire’s website. Applications for a Variation have a $30 fee unless they are submitted before 1 November in which case they are processed free of charge.
To apply for a Variation, please complete and submit the form below:
Important notes:
People who do not comply with the Notice or a Variation to the Notice may be issued with an infringement Notice ($250) or prosecuted with a penalty up to $5,000. The Shire of Augusta Margaret River may carry out the required work on the land at cost to the owner/occupier.
If you have any concerns regarding how the requirements may impact you, want to apply for a Variation, or would like more information, please contact the Shire Rangers on (08) 9780 5695, or email [email protected]
