Notice to Owners and Occupiers of land within the City of Kalamunda
Download 2021/2022 Fire Hazard Reduction Notice
The works outlined below must be completed by 1 November 2021 and maintained in this state up to and including 31 March 2022.
Pursuant to Section 33 of the Bush Fires Act 1954 (WA), the City of Kalamunda (City) gives written notice to act as specified in this notice to land that you own and/or occupy and with respect to any matter which is upon the land that you own and/or occupy within the City.
Failure or neglect to comply with this notice is an offence and can result in a penalty of up to $5000.
The City advises that its officers, servants, workmen, contractors, vehicles, machinery, and appliances (as the officers deem fit) may carry out the requisitions of this notice that are not complied with by the date specified above, and any costs and expenses incurred may be recovered from you as the owner and/or occupier of the land.
Slash, mow, or trim dead grasses, dead shrubs, and dead plants to a height no greater than 50mm and remove cuttings/swath across the entire property.
Reduce and/or maintain all dead flammable material below 8 tonne per hectare (see definition FUEL LOAD).
Further, please refer to additional works section.
Install or upgrade a 3-metre-wide by 4-metre-high clearance, bare mineral earth, continuous (no dead ends) trafficable fire break as close as possible inside the entire perimeter of the land. Maintained, reticulated living lawns that are kept completely green is acceptable in conjunction with, or in lieu of, a mineral earth fire break/s (see definition FIRE BREAK).
An Asset Protection Zone (APZ) is a buffer zone of area extending around a building where there is reduced flammable material.
Maintain a fuel reduced zone around all buildings or assets which extends 20 metres from the outermost point of the building or asset.
A Fire Control Officer may require you to carry out further bushfire property preparedness works on your land in order to reduce any fire hazards not specific to the Notice. These additional works will be stated in a work order and sent to the postal address of the owner and/or occupier.
If you know, suspect or are unsure whether you live at a property with environmental sensitivities or you plan to clear part of your property you MUST enquire first with the relevant agencies or departments prior to starting any works. There is legislation in place to protect the environment and land in Western Australia and without prior approval or authorisation you may face penalties.
Download Guide for applying the Bushfire Risk Treatment Standards appendix 1 to identify which agency you may need to contact.
From 1 November until 31 March each year all landowners and/or residents are subject to a fire hazard assessment against the Fire Hazard Reduction Notice by a Fire Control Officer.
Officers aim to strategically assess properties across all suburbs within the City. After a fire hazard assessment is completed and fire hazards have been identified by the Fire Control Officer, you may receive a work order which will outline the actions that need taking.
If you have any questions regarding property preparedness or regarding your work order, contact the City.
Landowners and/or occupiers can engage a contractor to conduct works as outlined on the current Fire Hazard Reduction Notice. It is the landowner and/or occupier’s responsibility to ensure the work is being completed in full and to the requirements on the Notice. It is suggested that the landowner and/or occupier advise the City that a contractor has been booked with the start and end dates to ensure compliance.
For more information on the requirements of the current Notice please download the Guide to Understanding the Fire Hazard Reduction Notice and/or see our Bushfire Safety Information section.
The Notice is distributed and available:
Property owners and residents are encouraged to read the Notice in full and keep it on hand in preparation for the fire hazard assessments that commence from 1 November each year.
Firebreaks are intended to minimise the spread or extension of a bushfire and provide safe access on your property for emergency vehicles.
If you consider, for any reason, that it is impractical to meet the requirements as per the current Notice, you may apply to request authorisation to employ other methods of fire prevention on your land.
You may apply to the City for a variation no later than 1 October 2021. Note: A variation is not an exemption but an application to employ other methods of property preparedness to land that you own and/or occupy.
An administration fee applies for applications received after 1 October 2021. If your application is not granted you must comply with all requirements outlined in the Fire Hazard Reduction Notice 2021/2022. Find out more here about variations here.
Contact City of Kalamunda on (08) 9257 9999 or email us at enquiries@kalamunda.wa.gov.au
Important Dates
Variations