Burning off and fire restrictions

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Fire Danger Period and Restrictions

The CFA has announced the Fire Danger Period for Surf Coast Shire commenced on 20 November 2023. Fire restrictions are in force. Find out what you can and can't do during the declared Fire Danger Period, and on days of Total Fire Ban, when fires in the open air are legally restricted by visiting the Country Fire Victoria Can I Can't I website page - https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/warnings-restrictions/fire-bans-ratings-and-restrictions/can-i-or-cant-i. 

Burning off

In the township areas of the Surf Coast Shire, burning off of dried vegetation is permitted only on WEDNESDAY or SATURDAY between 10am-3pm outside the Fire Danger Period.

All burn offs on private property must be conducted in accordance with our Burn Off Guidelines(PDF, 326KB).

Township boundary maps have been revised in recent years. To check if your property falls within a township area, see Township Maps below or call Surf Coast Shire Council on 5261 0600. 

You must register your burn off 20 minutes before ignition - phone 1800 668 511 to register.

Options instead of burning off

Rather than burning off, smaller amounts of green waste can be disposed of in your green bin which is collected weekly. For larger amounts of green waste use your green waste vouchers at our waste transfer stations in Anglesea, Lorne or Winchelsea. For more information, see our Waste and recycling page.

Apply for a permit to burn off?

The Country Fire Authority (CFA) is now responsible for issuing all Permits to Burn.

To burn off during the Fire Danger Period, you must have a written permit issued by the Country Fire Authority (CFA). You could be fined up to $16,900 or go to jail for up to 12 months for burning without a permit. For details see the CFA website.

Generally, permits will only be issued for agricultural and primary production purposes and will only be issued if the CFA Officer is satisfied that burning is necessary and able to be conducted safely.

To apply, please complete the Permit to Burn application on the Fire Permits Victoria website.

 

  

Township Boundary Maps

Note: township boundaries generally extend to include 1-5 acre properties around the towns.

 

Planned burns

Forest Fire Management Victoria conduct a planned burn program in our region to reduce fire fuel loads on crown land. These burns take place through autumn and spring. For more information and to receive notice of planned burns in your area, go to the Forest Fire Management Victoria website.

Australian Fire Danger Ratings

A new Fire Danger Rating System will be used across Australia from September 2022 so whether you're at home or travelling, ratings will be consistent across the country and you will see the same system being used.  

Fire Danger Ratings tell you how dangerous a fire could be if one started.  It helps you to know when conditions are dangerous enough to put your bushfire survival plan in to action. Ratings are forecast using Bureau of Meteorology data for up to four days in advance, based on weather and other environmental conditions such as fuel load.

For more information on the Australian Fire Danger Rating System, go to the CFA website