Fire prevention
The City of Fremantle prohibits the burning of garden refuse and rubbish in an incinerator or on the ground all year round. Any person who deliberately lights a fire may face penalties.
Section 33 of the Bush Fires Act 1954, requires that all properties within the district have a fire break:
- with a minimum width of three (3) metres surrounding any buildings and external boundaries
- your land cleared of all inflammable material by 30 November each year and maintained until 31 March the following year.
When installing a fire break the following requirements must be met:
a) where the area of the land is 1 500 square metres or less
clear each property of all inflammable material and have grass mown to a height not exceeding one hundred (100) millimetres.
b) all land having and area greater than 1 500 square metres
i. clear firebreaks of a minimum width of three (3) metres inside all external boundaries of the land and all buildings situated on the land by ploughing, cultivating or scarifying
ii. mow/slash the whole of the land. The height of vegetation thereafter must not exceed one hundred (100) millimetres over the entire area of land, as far as reasonably practical as determined by the authorised officer.
Failure to comply with these requirements by the 30 November each year will result in the City of Fremantle issuing an infringement notice of $250. The City will also install a firebreak, the cost of which will be invoiced to the property owner.
Contact the chief bush fire control officer on 08 9432 9836, for more information regarding fire control.
If solid fuel BBQ’s or wood fire pizza ovens are being used from 14 December–31 March, check with FESA. Call the Total Fire Ban Information Line on 1800 709 355.
For information on total fire bans visit the FESA website.
Reporting suspicious behaviour
If people have any information about a fire or suspect somebody of deliberately lighting fires, they should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Ongoing vigilance by the community in reporting suspicious behaviour and arson will help minimise the likelihood of bushfire.