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Home>Your Property>Fire Management & Safety
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 Fire Prevention Plan 2007
Current Fire Restrictions & News
Smoke Alarms
Fire Hazard Checklist for Private Land
Community Fire Safety Information
Annual Fire Prevention Inspection Program
Fire Hazard Removal - Contractors Invited to Express Interest
Fire Hazards Removal Contractor List
Bushfire Construction Requirements
Open Air Burning
Open Air Burning Local Law
Fire Management in Bushland Reserves
Prescribed Burning in Bushland Reserves
Changes to Fire Management
| Fire Prevention Plan 2007 | | This Fire Prevention Plan of 2007 has been prepared by the Mornington Peninsula Shire in a joint effort with the Municipal Fire Prevention Committee, Westernport Region of the CFA, Port Phillip Region of the Department of Sustainability and Environment and Community Groups.
The aim of this Fire Prevention Plan is to create a safer community for the residents by developing strategies and programs to reduce the number and severity of fires within the municipality.
A copy of the Fire Prevention Plan 2007 can be downloaded from the bottom of this webpage. Top
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| Current Fire Restrictions & News | | Please check with the CFA in relation to when the Declared Fire Danger Period will commence for the coming summer period.
Mornington Peninsula Shire is in the CFA's Central Fire Ban District.
There is to be no burning in the open air without a written permit from the Municipal Fire Prevention Officer. The Shire's Open Air Burning Local Law is null and void during the Declared Fire Danger Period.
For more information on CFA fire restrictions, please visit the CFA's website.
Information may also be obtained from the Department of Sustainability and Environment.
The Victorian Bushfire Information Line phone number is 1800 240 667.Top
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| Smoke Alarms | | As of February 1999, self contained smoke alarms that comply with Australian Standard 3786-1993 are required to be installed in all dwellings or sole occupancy units (flats, townhouses, units) in an appropriate location on or near the ceiling of every storey. Statistics show that the installation of smoke alarms save lives.
For more information on where, when and how to install and maintain smoke alarms please view our printable Fact File: Smoke Alarms from the Fact File webpage. Top
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| Fire Hazard Checklist for Private Land | | Here are some issues that Municipal Fire Prevention Officers take into account when inspecting land for fire hazards. These are also considerations you can take when inspecting your property for fire hazards:
Is your land flat or does it have any slope?
Fire travels quicker uphill and will double in speed for every 10 degrees of slope.
Which way does your land face?
Land facing North West or South West is likely to carry a hotter fire and it will burn faster.
Does your land or your neighbour’s land have any assets on it that need to be protected?
What type, quantity and quality of vegetation is on your land?
Vegetation is critical in assessing potential fire hazards. Some plant species don’t burn as easily as others, however in a very hot fire under the right conditions most plant species will burn.
How much ‘ladder fuel’ exists?
The aim is to reduce fire from climbing to the tops of trees by modifying the ground fuel, the mid story fuel or bark hazards.
Do you have any flammable weeds on your property?
Controlling weeds can significantly reduce the intensity and severity of a bushfire by lowering the amount of fuel available. Weeds can be classified as either noxious weeds, which can be illegal to have on your property, or environmental weeds, which is a plant that does not belong in the region.
Before removing any vegetation on your property you will need to consult with the Shire’s Planning team. Most vegetation on the Peninsula is protected under the Mornington Peninsula Planning Scheme. Unless you have a planning permit, most vegetation can only be removed if it is permitted on a Fire Prevention Notice issued by the Country Fire Authority (CFA) or in strict accordance with a Fire Prevention Notice. Do not remove any vegetation without contacting Statutory Planning on: 5950 1010 or by using the email link at the bottom of this page.
For more information, you can visit the Planning Services section of the Shire’s website.
Please note: The Shire’s Local Law permits one cubic metre of material to be burnt Fridays and Saturdays between 10am and 3pm. Burning off is not permitted on smog alert days, during the Declared Fire Danger period or if there is a total fire ban in your area.
Do you have any ‘Fine Fuel’ on your property?
‘Fine Fuel’ is any flammable material less than 6mm in diameter. It can be found on the ground, in tree trunks, in bushes, or piles of kindling wood or builders’ debris. It is the kindling for a fire because it is easy to light and puts out a lot of radiant heat which will pre heat and dry out other material, making the fire ignite and spread faster.
Ways to remove fine fuel include: taking unwanted material to the tip or making it into to mulch which can then be used as a fertiliser for your soil. Always remove fine fuel in an environmentally friendly manner.
Is there Fire Fighting Access on your property?
Does your property have sufficient access for a fire fighting appliance to enter your property? Please check with the Fire Authority to see what requirements they have so their appliances can access your property safely.
Is your property numbered?
The Shire’s Local Law requires that properties, including vacant land, have a number at the front of the property. A reflective number is preferred as it makes it easier for emergency services to locate your property day or night.
Do you have a plan to protect you, your family and your property?
The Shire and the CFA recommend that you have a well thought out and practised plan in case there is a fire in your area.
For more information on Fire Prevention please contact the Shire’s Municipal Fire Prevention Team on: 5950 1050 or 1300 850 600 or by using the email link at the bottom of this page.Top
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| Community Fire Safety Information | | The Mornington Peninsula Shire is providing this information to assist Community Fire Safety.
Mornington Peninsula Shire (MPS) is in CFA’s Central Fire Ban District.
The Victorian Bushfire Information Line Phone number is 1800 240 667.
Fire Plan
Every land owner needs to take responsibility for fire prevention on their own property and the Mornington Peninsula Shire strongly recommends residents prepare their land now and then maintain the land in a fire safe condition. CFA and the Shire encourage all residents to have a bush fire plan for their family and property. Information on how to develop your bush fire plan is available from the Fire Authorities.
Fire Hazards
The Mornington Peninsula Shire conducts very active fire management programs to assist in protecting the community from wildfire. As a result of the recent Black Saturday bushfires, Council has committed an additional $1 million per year towards fire prevention works on the Mornington Peninsula.
Inspections for fire hazards
The Shire’s Fire Prevention Officers will inspect many properties in the lead up to summer and during the CFA’s Declared Fire Danger Period to see if there are fire hazards that need to be addressed. The inspection program will commence in September and where fire hazards are identified on private land a statutory Fire Prevention Notice will be issued pursuant to the Country Fire Authority Act 1958 (6228) directing works take place to mitigate the fire hazard. There is often a very short time frame given to comply with the Fire Prevention Notice. The Shire has no authority to issue a Fire Prevention Notice on any Government agency. Should you have an enquiry about a Fire Prevention Notice that has been served please contact the Environment Protection Unit on phone number 5950 1050 and ask to speak with the Officer.
Legal action
Failure to comply with a statutory Fire Prevention Notice may result in legal action being taken in a Magistrates Court. Illegal removal of vegetation may also result in Court action, therefore, it is extremely important that you seek the appropriate information and advice from the Shire before undertaking any fire management works.
Kindling for a fire
Fine fuel is the kindling for a fire. Fine fuel is considered to be any flammable
material that is 6mm in diameter or less. Removing fine fuel is very important
in reducing fire hazards.
Trees
Trees are generally not considered the fire management issue that many people believe them to be because they are not considered to be fine fuel. A Planning Permit may be required to remove the vegetation you want to. If you have any enquiries regarding what vegetation you can remove without a permit please contact the Shire’s Statutory Planning Department on 5950 1010. Please Note. Once a Fire Prevention Notice has been served you do not need any further authority or approval to carry out the works that are stipulated on the Fire Prevention Notice (but only what is specified and nothing more).
Assistance is available
Many people employ a contractor to assist them with fire management works on their property. If you are thinking of employing a contractor to undertake this work for you the Shire recommends that you book your contractor early as they become extremely busy during the warmer months of the year. A list of contractors who may be able to assist you will be sent out with every Fire Prevention Notice and the list will be on the Shire web site in October www.mornpen.vic.gov.au
Reserve Management
The Shire has a number of large reserves across the Municipality that are mostly bush land reserves. Each one of these reserves has a fire management plan that has been endorsed by the Municipal Fire Prevention Committee and work is undertaken throughout the year in accordance with the approved fire management plans. This year the Shire will undertake additional fire prevention work under the power lines that it has responsibility for and roadside vegetation clearance will continue as programmed. Further information about fire management in a bush land reserve can be obtained from the Shire’s Natural Systems Team by telephone number 1300 850 600.
Information from the Fire Authorities
Due to recommendations by the State Government or the 2009 Victorian Bushfire Royal Commission the current web sites displaying information and publications by the Fire Authorities may change prior to the coming summer season The Shire recommends you contact the CFA or DSE if you are seeking this type of information to ascertain the current web site that contains they fire related information.
The Shire’s Web Site
The fire management information that has been on the Shire web site in the past has been withdrawn until the full recommendations from the 2009 Victorian Bushfire Royal Commission are known. The Shire has taken this action to avoid any possible confusion over the CFA or DSE fire management messages that are vitally important for the community to understand as we head into the next summer period.
Once the 2009 Victorian Bushfire Royal Commission recommendations are known the Shire will consider what key fire safety messages are appropriate to be displayed on our web site to assist our communities here on the Mornington Peninsula.
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| Annual Fire Prevention Inspection Program | | The Shire’s Fire Prevention Program commences well before the summer period each year to provide as much time as possible for residents to remove the fire hazards from their property.
When a property is inspected and there are fire hazards that need to be addressed a Fire Prevention Notice may be issued for the hazards to be removed. Should the Fire Prevention Notice not be complied with, legal action may be taken against the person who the Fire Prevention Notice was issued to and the Shire may have the Fire Hazard(s) removed at the land owner's expense. There is also an administrative charge that is added to the cost of the clearance.Top
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| Fire Hazard Removal - Contractors Invited to Express Interest | | | Fire Hazard Removal Contractors are now required by Mornington Peninsula Shire for assistance with implementation of the Shire's Fire Hazard Reduction Program. If you wish to express an interest in nominating to become a Contractor, you can click on the link at the bottom of the page to view and print the General Information document and application form. Or, to obtain a copy by mail or fax, you can telephone the Shire's Environment Protection Unit on 5950 1050. Top
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| Fire Hazards Removal Contractor List | | Below is a link to a list of contractors that can assist in removing fire hazards from your property. You do not have to use a contractor from the list, you may like to do the work yourself or have someone else do the work for you other than a contractor.
The Shire does not recommend any specific contractor on this list.
All matters including the quality of work, insurance, accounts, completing work on time and in accordance with a Fire Prevention Notice are the Sole Responsibility of the Landowner.
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| Bushfire Construction Requirements | | The Building Regulations have recently been amended to regulate construction requirements for all dwellings, flats and other residential buildings, as well as alterations and additions, and garages, carports and sheds.
This is to ensure that buildings are designed, constructed and located with greater protection from bushfires.
If you are proposing to construct or alter any residential buildings, you will also need to take the amended building standard, AS3959 - 2009 Construction of buildings in bushfire prone areas into consideration.
For more information on building to bushfire construction requirements please visit the Building Services section of the Shire’s website.
You may also wish to view our printable Fact File: Bushfire Construction Requirements from the Fact File webpage.Top
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| Open Air Burning | | Please refer to the CFA, as the Local Area Fire Authority, who determines if there will be a Declared Fire Danger Period in any given year.
There is to be no burning in the open air without a written permit from the Municipal Fire Prevention Officer. The Shire's Open Air Burning Local Law is null and void during the Declared Fire Danger Period.
All illegal fires will be reported to Victoria Police to investigate.
The Local Law on open air burning came into operation on September 30, 2005. It outlines the introduction of restrictions on burning off in commercial and industrial areas that include:Top
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| Businesses must now follow the same rules that apply to households | | Burning off is only allowed on a Friday and Saturday between 10:00am and 3:00pm | | Only one cubic metre of material may be burnt off at any one time | | No smoke nuisance is to be caused | | All materials must be dry and burn cleanly | | No green waste, plastics or other materials that generate smoke can be burned | | Shire Rangers will now be enforcing the requirements
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| Open air burning is NOT permitted during the following periods:
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| CFA's Declared Fire Danger Period for this municipality | | Any period that CFA declares a day of Total Fire Ban for the Central Fire Ban District | | Any day of smog alert
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| Open Air Burning Local Law |
| Topic |
Comment |
Clause No. Click link below to view the relevant Clause |
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| Chimneys |
There are restrictions on chimney discharge |
15 |
| Declared Fire Danger Period |
CFA declares a number of days that are high fire risk as days of Total Fire Ban. Please refer to the Shire's Local Law, and the CFA website www.cfa.vic.gov.au |
16 (1) (a) |
| General comments on burning |
Please see Note |
Note No. 1 |
| Offensive materials |
The Local Law restricts what type of material may be burnt |
17 (1) (2) (3) |
| Permit to burn |
The Local Law does allow for a permit to be issued under some circumstances. Permits to burn are not normally issued during CFA's Declared Fire Danger Period. |
16 (3) (a) (b) |
| Permit to burn - Application |
There is an application form that needs to be completed and lodged with the Shire before the application is considered. |
Schedule 4 |
| Residential and Industrial zones |
There are restrictions and conditions applicable to burning in residential and industrial areas of the Shire. |
16 (2) |
| Rural land |
The open air burning conditions for the rural land are different to the residential area. However, if burning in the rural area, and it is within 500 meters of any residential zone, then the conditions applicable to burning in the residential zone will apply. |
16 (5) 16 (2) |
| Smog alert days |
Burning is prohibited on days of smog alert |
16 (1) (a) |
| Total fire ban restrictions |
The Shire's open air burning Local Laws cease to have effect on Declared Days of Total Fire Ban. Mornington Peninsula is in CFA's "Central Fire Ban district". |
16 (1) (a) |
| When can I burn? |
There are days and times when burning is permitted; You cannot burn during the Declared Fire Danger Period or Days of Total Fire Ban for the CFA's Central Fire Ban District (without a specific permit to do so) or Declared Smog Alert Days. |
16 (4) 16 (1) (a) (b) |
| Can I or Can't I? |
CFA produces a document on general burning issues that is recommended reading |
www.cfa.vic.gov.au |
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| Fire Management in Bushland Reserves | | Fuel Management Zones are areas within Bushland Reserves, typically along boundaries, where the fuel levels (vegetation) are deliberately modified to reduce the potential impact of wildfire on nearby assets.
FMZ 1 (Fire Management Zone 1)
Objectives
• To minimise the likelihood of direct flame or radiant heat contact on adjoining assets (houses or buildings)
• To minimize the likelihood of flame rollover contacting an adjoining asset (house or building)
• To maximise the likelihood of fire being at ground level only, within this zone
• To maximise the opportunity for a wildfire to be contained within the boundaries of the reserve
• To take into account activities (eg size of mown area between fence and house) on the adjoining properties with regard to achieving all of the above
Characteristics
• Generally situated next to the reserve property boundary. Exceptions include already occurring open areas of low growing vegetation (i.e. grassland) close to the reserve property boundary which can act as an FMZ 1
• Easy to walk through
• Sparse mid storey
• Trees present with canopy connected or broken (dictated by fuel structure)
Exceptions to this include areas where a reserve adjoins property with large open areas of low growing vegetation (i.e. paddocks) where control activities are easily carried out without threat to assets (buildings and houses)
FMZ 2 (Fire Management Zone 2)
Objectives
• To achieve the objectives for FMZ 1 where: the characteristics of the reserve (eg size / slope / aspect / vegetation type / fuel loads) and the proximity of adjoining assets (houses or buildings) dictates the requirement of further fuel modification beyond that of an FMZ 1, where a wider FMZ 1 would compromise the ecological values of the reserve
• To reduce the intensity of a fire moving into an FMZ 1
Characteristics
• Close to or moving toward the EVC benchmark with some modification of elevated fuels
Mowing
Mowing occurs four times per year in designated areas of bushland reserves (generally FMZ1 areas). Exact timings are judged according to the season but will generally be early Spring, mid to late Spring, early to mid Summer, late Summer.
Bushland Reserves Fire Management Plans
Mornington Peninsula Shire has adopted Fire Management Plans for a number of its bushland reserves.
The plans have been developed in consultation and co-operation with local fire management authorities. The plans detail works to be undertaken at bushland reserves to reduce fire risk to assets such as houses near reserves, as well as information for local residents to assist in understanding their role and responsibilities.
To view a copy of these plans please use the link Bushland Reserves: Fire Management Plans (below). Top
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| For further information on open air burning please contact the Shire's Fire Management team using the email link below, or the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on: 1800 240 667. The Shire is in the CFA's central fire ban district.
Alternatively you can view the printable Fact File: Open Air Burning from the Fact File webpage.
For further information on fire safety and management, a list of external websites has been provided below.
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| Prescribed Burning in Bushland Reserves | | Prescription burning in Bushland Reserves has two main objectives:
• strategic fuel reduction/modification for asset protection
• regeneration and maintenance of biodiversity
There are a number of factors taken into account when planning a burning regime for a bushland reserve. Elements like size of the reserve, aspect, slope, topography, waterways, potential run off and erosion, time since last fire, fuel type, quantity and arrangement, proximity to assets, vegetation type, weed issues, fauna populations and rare and threatened species are all taken into account.
Addressing the above factors ensures that we take a strategic approach to setting a burning regime for a reserve. The specific objectives for any given site dictate the size and location of a burn.
There is enormous variation in the requirements of different vegetation classes/communities in relation to recurring fire events, but there are a number of guiding rules that we take into account when planning a fire regime.
Some of these are:
• Allowing the longest interval at which reproduction occurs for all species in order to produce sufficient seed for regeneration after fire, within that vegetation class.
• The specific relationship of the vegetation class to fire or being burnt. For example, grassland requires a regular burning regime versus woodland requiring longer intervals between fire events for optimal results.
• The actual composition of vegetation at a particular site given the highly modified nature of the majority of current remnant vegetation on the Mornington Peninsula.
• Ability to manipulate the fire behaviour within a site to achieve specific outcomes. For example, burning Grassy Woodland, with low flame heights associated with the grassland understorey, without the fire impacting on the woodland over storey. Or felling certain species of vegetation prior to burning a site, to manipulate the fuel structure in order to achieve continual burning across an otherwise patchy site.Top
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| Changes to Fire Management | | There are many changes coming to the manner in which fire management is dealt with inVictoria as a result of decisions by the State Government and the expected recommendations from 2009 Victorian Bushfire Royal Commission.
To avoid any possibility for any confusion about the fire safety information that is vital for the comunity to understand on the lead up to the summer period the Mornington Peninsula Shire (MPS) has removed some of the fire related information and material from this web site for the time being.
If you are in need of any fire management information please contact the Shire on 1300 850 600 and we will assist you to the best we can with the information we have at hand.
As the lead Fire Agencies, CFA and DSE have a vast amount of fire management information available to the community in printed form and on their current web sites. Please bear in mind, with the current 2009 Victorian Bushfire Royal Commission, there is likely to be many changes made so the Shire recommends you contact the Agency to see where they obtain their information.Top
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