Safely Burning Off

Fire reduction burn of farm waste including branches and other wood beside a dirt track with a blue sky.

What to consider

A burn-off is the controlled lighting of vegetation such as grass, weeds, stubble and undergrowth in the open air. When carried out safely and legally, it can be an effective way to reduce excess green waste and prepare your property for the bushfire season.

Before conducting a burn-off, residents should consider alternative methods to minimise smoke nuisance and air pollution, while taking appropriate precautions to protect their own safety and that of others, and prevent the risk of reignition.

This includes

  • Using your weekly green waste collection service for smaller garden waste 
  • Taking green waste to one of our transfer stations free of charge
  • Hiring a fire prevention contractor to help with larger clean-up tasks
  • Mulching garden waste and using it on garden beds or adding it to compost
  • Chipping branches and reusing the material as garden mulch.

Burn-Off Permits

If you are planning a burn-off on your property, the permit type required will depend on whether the burn takes place during the Fire Danger Period (FDP) or outside of it.

Burn-Off Permits outside a Fire Danger period (Open Air Burning Permits)

Open Air Burning Permits are issued by Council and are only available when the Fire Danger Period is not in effect.

When assessing a permit application, Council will consider:

  • The distance between the burn-off and neighbouring properties
  • The volume and type of material to be burnt
  • Any potential impacts on surrounding properties and the broader community

As a general guide, Council requires a minimum 100-metre setback from neighbouring properties before a permit will be considered. 

For more information about open air burning, you can contact us on 1300 797 363 or pyrenees@pyrenees.vic.gov.au during normal business hours.

Will I need a permit to burn?

In most cases, you will need a permit from Council to conduct a burn-off in the open air.

A permit is generally not required if:

  • Your property is in a Rural Living, Rural Conservation or Farming Zone and:
    • the burn-off is at least 100 metres from neighbouring properties, and the material being burnt is a small heap (less than 3m²) and not crop stubble
    • you are using a barbecue, pizza oven or similar appliance for cooking
  • You are using a fire pit, chimenea or similar appliance for heating.

You can read the local law here, or read the below excerpt that covers open air burning.

Please make sure you are aware what permits are needed under the Pyrenees Shire Council General Local Law 2019 before burning off.

For more information about open air burning, you can contact us on 1300 797 363 or pyrenees@pyrenees.vic.gov.au during normal business hours.

Open Air Burning - General Local Law 2019

Pyrenees Shire General Local Law 2019
3.7 OPEN AIR BURNING

(1) A person must not, without a permit, burn or cause or allow to burn any material in the open air.

(2) Subclause (1) does not apply to:
     (a) land in the Rural Living, Rural Conservation and Farming Zones where the location of the fire is not less than 100 metres from land not in the same ownership unless: i. the material being burnt is a windrow/heap larger than 3m2 or crop stubble;
     (b) barbeque, pizza oven or other properly constructed appliance while it is being used for cooking food;
     (c) fire in a chimenea, fire pit or other similar and properly constructed appliance while being used for heating; 15

(3) Nothing in subclause (1) and (2) permits a person to light a fire or allow a fire to continue to burn during a Fire Danger Period unless otherwise permitted by the Country Fire Authority.

(4) A person responsible for burning or lighting a fire on any land in the open air must ensure that:
     (a) it does not offend or cause a nuisance to another person in the vicinity or beyond the property boundary; and
     (b) Country Fire Authority have been notified.

(5) A person who has lit or allowed a fire to remain alight contrary to the provisions in this section or any condition contained in a permit must extinguish the fire immediately on being directed to do so by:
     (a) an Authorised Officer; or
     (b) a member of Victoria Police or the Country Fire Authority.

In determining whether to issue a permit, Council will require a minimum 100m setback from any neighbouring properties and will consider the volume of the material being burnt.

Infringement Notice: 3 penalty units Court penalty: 15 penalty units

 

Burning-Off Permits during a Fire Danger Period

During the Fire Danger Period, you must not conduct a burn-off unless you have a Permit to Burn. Fire Permits Victoria provides an online system where residents can create an account, apply for Permits to Burn during fire restriction periods, and notify authorities of approved burn-offs.

Planning your burn-off

Once a permit has been issued, the permit holder must comply with all permit conditions and register your burn-off by calling 1800 668 511 (Triple Zero Victoria - Burn Off Notification) or online at Fire Permits Victoria.

This helps reduce unnecessary calls to emergency services.

It is also advised that when burning off you:

  • Take reasonable steps to ensure smoke does not cause a nuisance to neighbours or nearby properties
  • Ensure a water supply is available with enough water to extinguish the fire if required
  • Never leave the fire unattended
  • Follow any conditions listed on your permit.

For information about how to stay safe and stick to the rules when burning off on your property, go to Burning off | CFA (Country Fire Authority)

Please ensure you are aware of any permit requirements of the Pyrenees Shire Council General Local Law 2019 before burning off.

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