Fire prevention

Reducing the risk of unplanned bushfire throughout Western Australia is an individual, state and local government responsibility.

Fire Control Notices are issued annually in July and are a notice to landowners or occupiers to prepare for the bushfire season. It is a legal requirement to carry out fire prevention works on your property, in accordance with section 33 of the Bush Fire Act 1954 and the City’s Fire Control Notice.

City Officers commence inspections in November annually to ensure properties comply with the notice. Penalties for non-compliance of up to $5,000 can apply.

Appealing an infringement

If you have a received a bushfire infringement, you have the right to appeal your infringement.

When would I need an application to vary firebreaks?

Firebreaks are intended to minimise the spread or extension of a bushfire and provide safe access on your property for emergency vehicles. They are also important as the gap they create in the vegetation acts as a barrier to slow or stop the progress of a bushfire or wildfire.

If for any reason it is considered impractical to clear firebreaks or to remove the flammable material from your land as required by the Fire Control Notice, you will need to complete an application to vary firebreaks.

How to apply for a firebreak variation

Please ensure you resubmit all current variations, regardless of when they were approved , to ensure the City can assess the variation based on the current conditions and environment factors.

The application must be sent by email to firecontrol@rockingham.wa.gov.au on or before 15 October annually for approval.

The application is to attain City approval to either:

• provide firebreaks in alternative positions or
• take alternative action to abate the fire hazard, e.g. slashing and mowing.

You may wish to enlist the services of a firebreak contractor to assist you in installing and maintaining your firebreaks and/or your vacant land.

Here is a list of suggested contractors, however please note that it is the property owner's responsibility to ensure the work undertaken is in accordance with the requirements of the City's Fire Control Notice.

It is recommended to enlist the services of a contractor early to ensure timely compliance.

We have a dedicated team of bushfire mitigation professionals who undertake work on City land to mitigate risk. These works are funded by both the City of Rockingham and the State Governments Mitigation Activity Fund (MAF).

Works include the following:

• mechanical clearing
• prescribed burning
• spraying
• firebreaks
• fire access roads
• fencing

The City's Bushfire Risk Management (BRM) Plan 2023 - 2027 is a strategic document that facilitates a coordinated approach towards the identification, assessment and treatment of assets exposed to bushfire risk.

The Treatment Schedule sets out a broad program of coordinated multi-agency treatments to address risks identified in the BRM Plan.

The aim of the BRM Plan is to effectively manage bushfire risk in order to protect people, assets and other things of local value in the City of Rockingham.

The objectives of this BRM Plan are to:

• guide and coordinate a tenure blind, multi-agency BRM program over a two-year period;
• document the process used to identify, analyse and evaluate risk, determine priorities and develop a plan to systematically treat risk;
• facilitate the effective use of the financial and physical resources available for BRM activities;
• integrate BRM into the business processes of local government, land owners and other agencies;
• ensure there is integration between land owners, BRM programs and activities; and
• document processes used to monitor and review the implementation of treatment plans to ensure they are adaptable and that risk is managed at an acceptable level.

City of Rockingham Health Local Law 1996 - Burning of Rubbish or Refuse

The following is taken from the City of Rockingham Health Local Law 1996 at clause 49:

"A person shall not, without the written approval of the local government; and except in accordance with the terms and conditions to which the approval is subject, set fire to, or cause to be set on fire, any rubbish or refuse either in any incinerator; or on the ground.

An approval of the local government shall be issued subject to the following conditions:

• The material to be burnt:
  • does not include any plastic, rubber, food scraps, green garden cuttings or other material when burnt
  • is of such quantity, or of such a nature, as not to be suitable for removal by the local government’s refuse collection service
• There is no other appropriate means of disposal;
• Burning shall not take place during any period for which an air dispersion alert has been issued by the Bureau of Meteorology; or where this is no current dispersion alert, outside the hours of 10am to 3pm
• An incinerator must meet the standards specified by the local government; an incinerator unit used for fire must be located at least two metres from a fence or building, at least nine metres from a neighbourhood dwelling and in such a position so as not to create a nuisance or be offensive to other persons."

If you require further information, please email us on customer@rockingham.wa.gov.au or call 9528 0333.

Camping, heating and cooking

Solid fuel devices such as fire pits, chimineas, barbecues and pizza ovens are allowed in the following conditions:

• when a Total Fire Ban has not been declared
• when the fire danger rating is not High, Extreme or Catastrophic
• a 3m clearance in radius has been established, clear of all bush and flammable material
• where smoke is controlled so as not to be a nuisance.

Enclosed gas fired devices are exempt and are allowed at any time. Refer to the below table for further guidance.

Can I have a fire on a beach?

No fires are allowed at any time on any of the City of Rockingham beaches.