Shire of Murray

Fire Restrictions

As the environment in which we live in is bush fire prone, there is a need to restrict or prohibit the lighting of fires in the open air or restrict activities likely to cause a fire.

In the Shire, the restricted and prohibited burning times are as follows.

Restricted Burning Times

1st November to 14th December each year (inclusive) – Permits Required
15th March to 30th April each year (inclusive)

Prohibited Burning Times

15th December to 14th March (inclusive) – No Fires
The above dates are subject to variation and alterations will be published in a local newspaper circulating the district.

Restricted Burning Time Requirements

The restricted burning time refers the times of the year during which it is declared by the Authority under section 18 of the Bush Fires Act 1954 to be unlawful to set fire to the bush within a zone of the State except in accordance with a permit obtained under that section.

Permits to Burn the Bush

During the restricted burning period, a person shall not set fire to the bush on land unless they have obtained a permit in writing from a Shire of Murray Bush Fire Control Officer to burn bushland situated within the district.

Permit conditions must be adhered to, otherwise a Bush Fire Control Officer may direct the person in attendance to extinguish the fire, and a on the spot penalty of $250 can be issued.

 
Permits can be obtained from the Shire’s volunteer Fire Control Officers. For contact information on your relevant Volunteer Fire Control officer, contact the Shire of Murray on (08) 9531 7777.

Escape of Fire

Where a person starts a fire on land, and that fire escapes from the land or if it is the opinion of a Bush Fire Control Officer or an officer of a bush fire brigade that the fire is out of control, the person shall be liable to pay to the local government on the request of and for recoup to its bush fire brigade, any expenses up to a maximum amount of $10,000 incurred by it in preventing the extension of or extinguishing the fire, and such expenses may be recovered in any court of competent jurisdiction.

Penalties

A person who commits a breach of the Restricted Burning Times is guilty of an offence, and is liable for a first offence penalty of $4,500 or $10,000 penalty. There are also provisions for on the spot penalties of $250 for any contravention of the Restricted Burning Period.

Prohibited Burning Time Requirements

The prohibited burning time means the times of the year during which it is declared by the Minister under section 17 of the Bush Fires Act 1954 to be unlawful to set fire to the bush within a zone of the State.

Variation to Restricted and Prohibited Burning Times

If a local government considers that seasonal conditions so warrant the local government may, after consultation with an authorised CALM Act Officer if forest land is situated in its district vary the restricted burning times in respect of that year in the district or a part of the district by:

• shortening, extending, suspending or reimposing a period of restricted burning times; or

1. imposing a further period of restricted burning times; or
2. vary the prescribed conditions by modifying or suspending all or any of those conditions.
3. A variation shall not be made if that variation would have the effect of
4. shortening the restricted burning times by; or
5. suspending the restricted burning times, or any prescribed condition, for,
6. more than 14 successive days during a period that would, in the absence of the variation under this subsection, be part of the restricted burning times for that zone in that year.

The Shire will advertise any variations to the above periods within a local newspaper circulating within the district. However it is the responsibility of individuals to ensure they are up to date with local restrictions prior to undertaking any activities that are likely to cause a fire.