Bush Fires Act 1954 Section 24G

Published on Friday, 6 December 2024 at 9:13:00 AM

It is hereby advised for public information that at the Council Meeting held on Thursday 28 November 2024 the Council of the Shire of Murray resolved to adopt the following requirements in accordance with section 24G of the Bush Fires Act 1954 (Act):

Burning garden refuse or rubbish during limited burning times (s.24G of the Act)

1.The burning of garden refuse or rubbish is prohibited on all land within the district that is under 4,000m² in size during the Limited Burning Time that would otherwise be permitted under section 24F of the Act.

For the purposes of this Clause ‘Limited Burning Time’ means 1 October each calendar year through until 15 May the following calendar year (inclusive, and as varied pursuant to Sections 17 and 18 of the Act).

On land larger than 4,001m² the burning of garden refuse or rubbish that would otherwise be permitted under section 24F is prohibited absolutely during the Prohibited Burning Time.

The effect of this clause is that;
a. The burning of garden refuse or rubbish in an incinerator or on the ground on land that is 4,000m² or less in size is prohibited during the Limited Burning Time; and,

b. The burning of garden refuse or rubbish in an incinerator or on the ground is prohibited on all land within the district during the Prohibited Burning Time.

2. In addition to the above restrictions, any person burning garden refuse or rubbish on the ground must do so in accordance with the following requirements:

a. There is to be no flammable material (other than that being burnt) within 5 metres of the fire at any time while the fire is burning;

b. The fire is lit between 6:00pm and 11:00pm and is completely extinguished before midnight on the same day;

c. At least one person is present at the site of the fire at all times until it is completely extinguished;

d. One pile (up to one cubic metre in size) can only be burnt at a time;

e. The person intending to light the fire must telephone the Department of Fire and Emergency Services Communications Centre (COMCEN) immediately prior to igniting, on 9395 9209 or 1800 198 140; and,

f. When the fire is no longer required, the person who has lit the fire must ensure that the fire is completely extinguished by the application of water or earth.

3. Any time when there is in force a fire danger forecast issued by the Western Australian Bureau of Meteorology for the district of High, Extreme or Catastrophic, Total Fire Ban or any other prohibition is in effect under the Act, burning of garden refuse or rubbish in an incinerator or on the ground is prohibited on all land within the district.

4. The Shire of Murray Health Local Law 2018 further restricts and / or prohibits burning of rubbish of refuse on land in the district.

Dean Unsworth
Chief Executive Officer