NOTICE TO BAN THE USE OF ENGINES, VEHICLES, PLANT OR MACHINERY LIKELY TO CAUSE A BUSH FIRE DURING THE RESTRICTED AND PROHIBITED BURNING TIMES (commonly referred to as Harvest and Vehicle Movement Bans)

Published on Friday, 20 December 2024 at 1:09:44 PM

I, Siobhan Bishop, an authorised Bush Fire Control Officer of the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale hereby declare a ban on the use or operation of engines, vehicles, plant or machinery, for Sunday 22nd December 2024, between the hours of 0900 and 1400 and Monday 23rd December 2024, between the hours of 0600 and 1800 for the whole of the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale.


This Ban will be reviewed at 1800 Friday 20 December 2024, at which time further advice may be issued.


ACTIVITIES NOT PERMITTED DURING THE PERIOD OF THIS BAN:


1. Harvesting Operations:
• All harvesting activities are prohibited under Regulation 24C(2) of the Bush Fires Regulations 1954.


2. Off-Road Activities:
• Any off-road activity involving engines, vehicles, plant, or machinery is banned under Regulation 24ZH(2)(b) of the Bush Fires Regulations 1954. This includes agricultural, business, or recreational purposes.
• Off-road includes paddocks, bushland, uncleared land, and areas with stubble or long grass.
• Examples: Use of motorbikes, quad bikes, tractors, excavators, chainsaws, ride-on mowers, and generators.


3. Hot Works:
• Hot works such as welding, grinding, or cutting metal are prohibited unless conducted in a designated area that complies with the requirements of Regulation 24ZK of the Bush Fires Regulations 1954, including adequate fire prevention measures.

ACTIVITIES PERMITTED DURING THE PERIOD OF THIS BAN


1. Use or operation of any vehicle on “gazetted roads”, lane, private road, yard or other area that provides access to, or a parking facility at, any residential, farming or business premises, if the area has been sufficiently cleared of inflammable material to prevent the escape of fire (regulation 24A(3) Bush Fires Regulations 1954).

2. Use or operation of a vehicle for the prevention of an immediate and serious risk to the health or safety of a person or livestock, and only if all reasonable precautions have been taken to prevent the activity from creating a bush fire danger. (regulation 24A(4) Bush Fires Regulations 1954).

3. Off-road activity for urgent work carried out by an essential service can continue, but only when the prescribed conditions in Regulations 24ZH – 24ZL of the Bush Fires Regulations 1954 are complied with.

In accordance with Regulation 24ZS, essential service providers must notify the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale Chief Bush Fire Control Officer on 0409 080 778 prior to undertaking such works and ensure a firefighting appliance is in attendance at all times.


Urgent works, in relation to the provision of an essential service, means repairs or maintenance necessary for the continued provision, or restoration, of the service.
Essential services, in relation to this notice, means water supply, sewerage or drainage services; electricity or gas services; telecommunications services; public transport services and rubbish collection or disposal services.


Sincerely,

Bishop Siobhan
Bush Fire Control Officer
Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale