Under the Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005, the owner of any land within the boundaries of Campbelltown City Council must take reasonable steps to protect property on the land from fire, and to prevent or inhibit the outbreak of fire, or the spread of fire.

Property owners must cut/slash, before 1st December, any grass, weeds or other growth, which may become flammable during the Fire Danger Season.

Failure to comply with any notice issued by Council under Fire & Emergency Services Act 2005 to destroy flammable undergrowth will result in Council carrying out the work and recovering the cost from the land owner.

Further information in relation to fire hazard reduction may be obtained by contacting the Council on 8366 9222.

You can also learn more about Fire Danger Season and Total Fire Ban day requirements on the CFS Website.

Vacant Land

Penalties may apply to vacant blocks that are not cleared by the start of the fire danger season.

Council sends a letter to the owners of vacant land before the Fire Danger Season begins to advise them of the importance of fire prevention.

During November, Council Fire Prevention Officers will be inspecting all properties on our database.  Under the Fire and Emergency Service Act 2005, Council can issue a legal notice requiring the clearing of land if there is a fire hazard or where the land has the potential at a later date to become a fire hazard.

Your early attention to the condition of your block (or land) will ensure no further action is necessary. The following action is required to reduce a potential fire hazard:

Within 20 metres of any building

Reduce all grass, pest plants and undergrowth to a maximum height of 10 centimetres and maintain all grass, pest plants and undergrowth to a maximum height of 10 centimetres until the end of the fire danger season.

If the land is a vacant block under one hectare in area

Reduce all grass, pest plants and undergrowth to a maximum height of 10 centimetres over the whole block and maintain all grass, pest plants and undergrowth to a maximum height of 10 centimetres over the whole block until the end of the fire danger season.

If the land is a vacant block over one hectare in area

Establish and maintain until the end of the fire danger season a fuel break around the whole area, placed as near as practicable to the perimeter. The fuel break shall be at least a 5 metre wide strip on which all grass, pest plants and undergrowth is reduced to a maximum of 10 centimetres.

The property should also be cleared of all flammable materials. This includes grass waste resulting from cutting and any other objects that are inflammable.

The responsibility to have your land cleared rests with the owner and if necessary you should contact an appropriate contractor to arrange clearance of the land.

Please remember to maintain your block throughout the fire danger season as additional clearance may be required.

This bushfire season, remember be prepared, make a 5 Minute Bushfire Plan or Bushfire Survival Plan and stay informed. For information on what you can do to keep you and your loved ones safe, visit the CFS website.

Electricity and Bushfires

People living in bushfire risk areas should be aware that power may be disconnected in high fire danger conditions.  Ensure you have a contingency plan in place that considers how you can access back-up power, which you may need for pumping water.  You should also be aware that if power is not available in a bushfire situation, services such as traffic lights may not be operating along your planned evacuation route.

Although people may enjoy an outdoor fire, they may have others in their neighbourhood that are elderly, have respiratory diseases or have young children where exposure to smoke may cause considerable health impacts.

Please be aware of the rules around burning in the open, by reading the Laws for Burning in the Open Brochure or visit www.epa.sa.gov.au.

Burning wood for the primary purpose of cooking is allowed, however the fire must be proportionate to the food being prepared.

Under the provisions of the EPA Burning Policy 1994 lighting or maintaining fires in the open or in incinerators is prohibited on domestic premises.

The Athelstone Fire Siren, located within the Black Hill Conservation Park, is maintained and operated by the SA Country Fire Service (CFS) and will only be used for fire incidents in line with CFS policies and procedures.

Testing of the siren will occur at 7pm every Wednesday for a period of 30 seconds. In line with the SA Country Fire Service Siren Policy the Siren will operate in the following manner:

• Between 8am and 8pm
  The siren will be used for fires that require attendance by the Athelstone Fire Brigade.

• Between 8pm and 8am
  The siren will be used for fire that threatens life and property (at the discretion of the incident controller).
  When the siren is used for an incident rather than a test, the blast will last for 3 continuous minutes.

The Development Act requires Councils to establish a Building Fire Safety Committee. The purpose of the Committee is to inspect any building to determine whether the fire safety of the building is adequate.

The Building Fire Safety Committee comprises Council's Building Surveyor, Development Officer - Building and representatives from the Metropolitan Fire Service and the Country Fire Service.

The Committee maintains a focus on inspecting those buildings where members of the public stay or gather, for example Aged Care facilities, hotels and sporting clubrooms.

If the Committee considers that the fire safety of a building is inadequate, it can issue a notice under the Development Act in order to have the problem rectified.