Burning off and firebreaks

A coordinated approach is essential to reduce fire risk in the City of Joondalup and protect life, property, and the environment. Hazard reduction burning, also known as prescribed, controlled, or planned burning, involves controlled fires in specific areas during suitable weather conditions to minimize intensity. 

Grass trees/balgas make up a high proportion of vegetation within the City’s reserves and can benefit from hazard-reduction burning. Many have long, unburnt dead skirts, which are an extreme source of fuel, as fire will stimulate the tree to flower and seed. 

Hazard reduction (grass tree) burning on public land  

Grass tree burning targets selected vegetation and ground fuels like litter, grass, and grass trees in a mosaic pattern to limit impact on flora and fauna. This approach, endorsed by the DFES, is recommended for bushfire risk reduction in relevant reserves and bushland. 

Hazard reduction burns are low intensity, ‘cool’ burns and are usually conducted in autumn or winter when dry summer fuels have increased in moisture content, and fire behaviour is easier to manage. ‘Cool’ burns are usually undertaken in the early morning or late afternoon/evening when weather conditions are suitable. 

Hazard reduction grass tree burns are undertaken by highly qualified, trained and experienced personnel where it is jointly agreed by the City and DFES. As part of the pre-burn prescription, a detailed risk assessment will be completed. 

Only a small number of reserves will be burnt each year as required. 

Hazard reduction burning on private land  

Hazard reduction burning can moderate the severity of bushfires or wildfires and can lower the impact to the community by reducing fuel loads. Fuel loads are dead, combustible material, rather than live material, and includes dead grass, fallen leaves and bark from trees and shrubs. 

The burning of garden refuse or rubbish is not permitted within the City under Section 24G of the Bush Fires Act 1954. This includes the burning of rubbish in an incinerator, on the ground or by using any other apparatus, device or homemade construction. 

Landowners can apply to the City for a permit to burn during the restricted period for bushfire mitigation purposes. Permits will not be issued during the prohibited burning times from December to March each year. Burns should only be carried out during cooler weather, with low wind conditions, and when the fuel load has a higher moisture content. 

Upcoming scheduled hazard reduction burns  

To find out about any upcoming scheduled hazard reduction grass tree burns please see the City’s Public Notices. To receive an automated notification via text message or email, register for the Hazard Reduction Grass Tree Burning Notifications online. 

Complete the Hazard Reduction Grass Tree Burning Notifications online form

Information about the City’s Hazard reduction grass tree burning program is provided in the Frequently Asked Questions (below). 

All landowners and/or occupants within the City must remove from the land all inflammable materials and maintain firebreaks on their property by 31 October each year to prevent bushfire spread until 31 May of the following year. Inflammable material includes any substance likely to catch fire, as determined by authorised officers. Firebreaks must be clear of all inflammable material and constructed to allow unobstructed travel for fire appliances. 

All land with an area of 2,000m²/0.2ha or less 

Landowners must maintain grass height below 5cm using methods like slashing or mowing, avoiding burning. Additionally, trees, shrubs, and cultivated plants overhanging property boundaries, footpaths, or verges must be trimmed back to the boundary line with a minimum 4m vertical clearance above ground level. 

All other land with an area of 2,0001m²/0.2ha or more 

Landowners must establish a 3m wide firebreak cleared of inflammable material along all external boundaries of the land. Any overhanging tree branches or shrubs must be trimmed to a minimum height of 4m above ground level within the firebreak. Vegetation height in the firebreak area must not exceed 5cm after mowing or slashing. 

Alternative firebreaks 

If a firebreak is impractical along your boundary for environmental or other reasons, property owners should notify the City in writing by 15 September to obtain permission for firebreaks in alternative positions or of a different nature. The above firebreak requirements will continue to apply to your property until and unless the City approves alternative firebreaks in writing. 

Additional works to reduce hazards 

The City may request property owners to perform additional works to enhance access and prevent bushfire outbreak or spread. Failure to comply may lead to fines, and if necessary, the City will arrange for required works at the owner's expense. 

Prohibited and restricted burning times

The prohibited burning period for the City of Joondalup, pursuant to section 17 of the Bush Fires Act 1954 shall be between 15 December to 31 March inclusive each year. Burning of any kind is not permitted during the prohibited burning period. 

The restricted burning period for the City of Joondalup, pursuant to section 18 of the Bush Fires Act 1954 shall be all year round from 1 January to 31 December. Any burning during this period requires a permit to burn. 

Permit to burn

Permit requests must be made in writing to info@joondalup.wa.gov.au and will be assessed on an individual basis. The City is under no obligation to issue a permit to burn. 

When assessing requests, the City will take into consideration: 

• Size of the land 
• Objectives of the burn 
• Experience of burn operators 
• Burning plan including risk assessment, traffic management, smoke considerations, weather conditions and environmental impacts 

If a total fire ban has been declared by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, any burning permits issued to residents or landowners are fully suspended until the ban is lifted. 

Total fire ban and fire danger rating 

No fires are permitted on days declared as Total Fire Ban (TFB) by DFES or when the forecast Fire Danger Rating (FDR) for the City of Joondalup is High or above. Lighting a fire during a declared TFB is an offence under the Bush Fires Act 1954, with fines ranging from $250 to $25,000, and imprisonment for up to 12 months. For more information on Total Fire Bans, including restrictions and requirements visit the DFES website. 

Burning garden refuse and rubbish

Burning garden refuse or rubbish in any manner is prohibited in the City of Joondalup. Violation can result in an infringement.  

Barbecues, firepits and outdoor heaters 

The City permits the use of solid fuel barbecues, pizza ovens, chimeneas, fire pits and outdoor wood heaters on private property for the purpose of cooking and heating only, under the following conditions: 

• No Total Fire Ban has been declared by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES).
• A 3m clearance in radius has been established around the apparatus, clear of inflammable material.
• Apparatus is not left unattended when in use.
• Only appropriate solid fuel is used, such as dry firewood, heat beads and coal.
• No burning of garden refuse or rubbish.
• Recommend smoke is controlled so as not to be a nuisance to your neighbours.

Fire pits

Fire pits should be placed a safe distance away from your house and neighbouring yards. In addition, they should be located in an area with no overhanging branches, fences or other structures that could easily catch fire. Fire pits must never be left unattended and should only be used for the purposes of cooking and heating. 

Barbecues in City parks and reserves

The use of outdoor cooking and heating apparatuses, other than City installed and managed barbecues, is not permitted within City parks and reserves unless prior approval has been granted. 

Home fire safety

For resources on how to keep your home fire safe visit the Department of Fire and Emergency Services website.