Reducing the amount of bushfire fuel on your property is critical.

Clear non-native vegetation and fine fuel such as weeds, introduced grasses and litter today.

Native vegetation is protected by the Native Vegetation Act 1991. However, exemptions exist to ensure some clearance of native vegetation can occur without approvals to protect your property from bushfire. There are several actions you can take today:

• Clear any tree branches that overhang your house or other buildings on your property.

• Clear up to 20 metres of native vegetation around your house. Watch out for significant trees and large gum trees that require clearance approval (see below).

• Clear up to 5 metres of native vegetation around other buildings on your property such as sheds and garages.

• Clear the native vegetation from your property boundary to create a fire-break of 5 metres. In some regions of the state this can be 7.5 metres.

Wanting to clear significant trees?
Some local councils have controls around the removal of ‘significant trees’ under the Development Act 1993. These may be native or introduced species. For more information regarding significant trees please contact your local council.

…or large gum trees?
Large gum trees can provide some protection from bushfire, dependent on their position and the wind direction. Gum trees with trunks exceeding 200 millimetres in diameter cannot be cleared without approval. Ensure you measure the diameter of the trunk at a height of 300 millimetres from the ground.

Still a fire risk?
Consult your local CFS Regional Prevention Officer, your local council’s District Bushfire Prevention Committee or the Native Vegetation Council (NVC) for approval to clear native vegetation more than 20 metres from around your house or to clear large trees that are a fire risk.

For permission to undertake clearance of native vegetation beyond what is allowed by these regulations, prepare a Property Bushfire Prevention Plan and submit it to the NVC. Contact the NVC for further information.

Cleared vegetation must be disposed of responsibly.

• Dispose of small amounts of cleared vegetation in a ‘green waste’ bin.

• Dispose of large amounts of cleared vegetation at an authorised ‘green waste’ depot.

• If you do not have a ‘green waste’ service in your area, contact your local council for more information.

Can I burn?
Burning native vegetation is allowed providing you have the necessary approvals. Contact your local council for further information. Remember, the lighting of fires on Total Fire Ban days is strictly prohibited.

All plants will burn if exposed to enough heat. However, there are ways to lessen the fire risk when replacing cleared vegetation or planning a new garden.

Some plants are less susceptible to catching alight while others, if positioned correctly, can trap embers and reduce wind speeds.

For advice on selecting appropriate plants suitable for your property visit the CFS website or talk to your local nursery.