FAQ (Emergency Management)

What is the City of Albany's Fire Management Notice?

The Fire Management Notice is a legal document that instructs land owners and occupiers of the actions they must take to prepare their properties for the fire season. It is sometimes referred to as the "fire break notice", however this term is misleading as fire breaks is only one of the required fire mitigation measures.

The authority for local governments to issue these instructions is provided under section 33 of the Bush Fires Act 1954. Landowners or occupiers who fail to comply with the conditions contained in the Fire Management Notice may be issued with a penalty of up to $5,000 under the Act.

Is this new?

The City of Albany issues a Fire Management Notice every year prior to the fire season. However, some of the requirements have changed, so please take the time to read this year’s Notice carefully.

I didn’t know what the Notice was so I threw it in the bin. What do I do?

The City of Albany conducts a public awareness campaign to advise land owners and occupiers of their responsibilities for preparing their properties for the fire season. Not reading the Notice does not provide an excuse for not complying with the legal requirements contained in the Notice.

I didn’t receive the Fire Management Notice - what do I do?

The Notice is available as a download on our website www.albany.wa.gov.au or contact the City of Albany on 6820 3000 to request a copy.

I live in town - do I need to comply with the Notice?

Yes. All residents who own or occupy land within the City of Albany area are required to ensure that they comply with the Notice; this includes the suburban areas.

What is the “Fire Season”?

The fire season refers to the period when bush fires are likely to start and spread rapidly. The City of Albany covers over 4,000km2, so people living in the north east section of the City experience different climatic conditions to those living in the south west corner. Therefore different fire season dates apply depending on where you live:

• North east sector – 1 October to 30 April (unless otherwise advised)
• South west sector – 1 November to 30 April (unless otherwise advised)

Seasonal changes may impact on the fire season dates. For example, a late hot spell may cause the fire season dates to be extended. Any changes to the dates will be advertised in the local newspapers and on the City of Albany website.

I cannot meet the requirements by the due date deadline, can I get an extension?

No, extensions are generally not granted. Reducing the risk of bush fire is a shared responsibility between local government, state government agencies and the community: we all have our part to play. Land owners and occupiers are responsible for making sure their properties are compliant with the Fire Management Notice by the due date to reduce the level of bush fire risk for the whole community.

What do I do if I can’t meet some or all of the Fire Management Requirements?

If you are unable to comply with some or all of the conditions contained in the Notice, you must apply for a Variation to the Fire Management Requirements.

Applications for variations are individually assessed and you will be advised of the outcome in writing.

How long does a Variation last?

This is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. If the physical features that prevent mitigation measures are unlikely to change, a variation may be granted “in perpetuity”. Otherwise, the approval will have an expiry date.

What happens if my application for a Variation is declined?

You will be notified in writing and you will be required to comply with the conditions contained in the Fire Management Notice before the due date.

Who can help me complete my Variation application?

There is information on the City of Albany website to assist you in completing your application. In addition your local Volunteer Fire Brigade Fire Control Officer may be able to assist or contact the City of Albany.

Do I need to maintain my firebreaks and low fuel zones throughout the whole fire season?

Yes. It is the owner's or occupier’s responsibility to maintain their fire breaks and low fuel zones, including asset protection zones, until 30 April the following year (unless otherwise notified). This may mean slashing or spraying any re-growth.

Do I have to clear all vegetation around my house to put in an asset protection zone?

No, an asset protection zone (APZ) is a 20 metre low-fuel zone around your home. Click here for information on APZ standards releveant to your property size or zoning.

I can’t put in a 20 metre asset protection zone as my block isn’t big enough. What do I do?

The asset protection zone (APZ) should be confined within the property boundary. For existing buildings that are located less than 20 metres from a property boundary, the AZP does not have to extend over that boundary.

How will reducing the fuel loads on my property make a difference if a bush fire comes through?

Reducing the fuel loads around your home means that embers from a bush fire will have less chance to catch fire when they hit the ground. This will also help reduce the damage caused by the fire and slow the rate of spread of the fire. The better you prepare your property the higher the chance it will survive a bushfire, even if you are not there.

Why does a fire break have to be 3 metres wide with 4 metres vertical clearance?

This is the minimum width and height clearance require to allow a City of Albany fire appliance to access your property.

Do my fire breaks have to cover my whole property?

Perimeter fire breaks are required on properties larger than 4,000m2, and are to be located as close as possible to the boundary. Where obstructions occur, the fire break can deviate around the obstruction within 20 meters of the property boundary.

What if my property is water-logged at the start of the fire season can I apply for a Variation for that period only?

While a portion of the property is water-logged, it is unlikely to burn and may not constitute a fire risk. However the unaffected areas still require fire breaks. Once the property dries out fire breaks are required to be installed as per the provisions of the Notice. Please note that compliance inspections are carried out at random and may occur at any time during the fire season. If your property is regularly unsuitable for emergency vehicle access, a variation should be completed.

My next door neighbour hasn’t installed their fire breaks. What can I do to report it and have them comply as well?

You can contact the City of Albany to lodge a complaint. They may then investigate the issue and take appropriate action.

I have animals grazing my paddocks. Do I still need to install a fire break?

If you are a bona fide primary producer and have animals grazing your paddocks as part of farming operations throughout the fire season and the grass is grazed to a height of 50mm or less, you can apply for a Variation to Fire Management Requirements.

I have recently purchased a property and I was not aware of the fire management requirements. What do I do?

If you have recently purchased a property and you are unable to comply with the requirements contained in the Notice by the due date, please contact the City of Albany on 6820 3000.

Can you recommend a fire break contractor?

The City is unable to recommend a particular contractor. However, check the ACCI directory under Firebreaks or Earthmoving for local contractors.

I have engaged a contractor to maintain my fire breaks for me, what do I need to do?

As the property owner or occupier you are responsible to ensure that the works completed by your contractor comply with the standards stipulated in the Notice.

What is a Bush Fire Management Plan?

Within the context of the Notice, a Bush Fire Management Plan is a document submitted by developers at the time of creating a new sub-division which provides details of the bush fire mitigation measures that are to be put in place for that sub-division. This may include strategic fire breaks, emergency access ways or fire service routes. The plan may also include areas that are to be maintained as low-threat vegetation.

It is important that land owners or occupiers are aware of the provisions of these plans and that any measures that have been put into place are maintained.

There is a strategic fire break in place for my sub-division. Do I still need to install perimeter fire breaks on my property?

Some sub-divisions may have strategic fire breaks in place as part of the Fire Management Plan for that area. If you are unsure of the requirements, please contact the City’s Planning team on 6820 3040.

Will anyone check my property?

City of Albany Officers will conduct random inspections of properties throughout the municipality to check for compliance with the fire management requirements. Please note that Ranges will be checking on compliance with ALL the fire mitigation requirements, not just perimeter fire breaks.

Can the City of Albany Officers enter my property without my permission?

Yes, under the Bush Fires Act 1954, as authorised Fire Control Officers, Rangers are permitted to enter your property to undertake inspections to ensure compliance with the City’s Fire Management Notice.

What happens if my property is not compliant?

The City of Albany considers non-compliance with the Fire Management Notice to be a serious offence as it compromises the safety of the whole community. If you fail to meet the requirements stipulated in the Notice, the City may issue you with an infringement notice or commence prosecution action.

You will still need to take the required actions to ensure your property is compliant. The property may be re-inspected and if still non-compliant the City will engage a contractor to carry out the work and you will be billed for this work along with any associated administrative costs.

Why inspections seem to be in my area and not others?

Rangers will carry out random inspections on properties throughout the municipality. Areas that are deemed to be of higher risk from bush fires may be assigned priority by the City. If you have any concerns regarding a property that may constitute a high bush fire risk, please contact the City of Albany.

There is a City reserve that doesn’t have fire breaks, why do I need to have breaks if the City doesn’t comply?

Fire mitigation activities within the City of Albany reserves are directed by a comprehensive fire management plan that takes into account the risk of fire posed by each reserve to the community as well as environmental considerations. The City’s Reserves team has an extensive hazard reduction program in place for its reserves which include prescribed burns as well as mechanical mitigation measures.