Fire Break Notice 2026/27

Notice to all owners and occupiers of land within the Town of Claremont. 

To prevent the outbreak, spread or extension of a bush fire, all owners and occupiers of land with the Town of Claremont are required to undertake the following work on or before 30 November 2026 or within 14 days of becoming an owner or occupier after that date. 

Residential Land - Slash all grass and clear all inflammable matter on the land to a height no greater than 50mm and maintain all grass and inflammable matter on the land at a height no greater than 50mm up to and including 31 March 2027. 

All Other Land - Create a fire break immediately inside the external boundaries of the property that is clear of all inflammable matter and maintained at a height no greater than 50mm and a width of no less than three metres. Where there are trees in the fire break, they must be trimmed back to provide a vertical clearance of at least three and a half metres to allow fire appliances to drive along the fire break. 

If it is impracticable for any reason to clear fire breaks or take measures in accordance with this notice, you may apply in writing to Council before November 15 2026 for permission to implement alternative measures to prevent the outbreak or spread of a bush fire. If permission is not granted in writing by Council, you shall comply with the requirements of this notice. 

Pursuant to the powers contained in the Bush Fires Act 1954, burning garden refuse and lighting fires in the open air is prohibited without a permit. 

An owner occupier of the land who fails or neglects to comply with this notice gives pursuant to section 33 of the Bush Fires Act 1954, within the time specified in this notice, commits an offence and is liable to a penalty of up to $5,000. A person in default is also liable, whether prosecuted or not, to pay the cost of performing the work directed in this notice if it is not carried out by the owner or occupier by the date required by this notice. 

Verge Maintenance - Council principally relies on residents for the improvement and maintenance of nature strips. Council encourages nature strips to be maintained by the adjacent owner/occupier in support of the Bush Fires Act requirements under this notice. 

Additional Works to Reduce Hazards - Regardless of land size and location, the Town may require a property owner to undertake additional works on their property to improve access and/or undertake further works where, in the opinion of the Local Government, these works would be conducive to preventing the outbreak, spread or extension of a bush fire. 

Appointment of Bush Fire Control Officers 

It is hereby notified for public information that the following persons have been appointed as authorised bush fire control officers for the Town of Claremont under the Bush Fires Act 1954, Bush Fires Regulations 1954 and Bush Fires (Infringements) Regulations 1978. 

Chief Bush Fire Control Officer 

Declan Fanning 

Deputy Bush Fire Control Officer 

Hamish Reeves

Bush Fire Control Officers 

Clare Haunold

Steve Erceg

Abdur Soobrattee

This notice hereby replaces the previous appointment notice. 

John Pearson

Chief Executive Officer