With the end of summer fast approaching, Council has recently received a number of enquiries relating to Schedule 13 Permits to Burn. Since late 2019, Council no longer issues these permits.
At its October Ordinary Meeting, Council resolved to discontinue the issuing of Schedule 13 Permits to Burn by Private Persons, with the Country Fire Authority (CFA) to manage all Schedule 13 permits going forward.
A Permit to Burn by Private Persons allows land owners or their representatives to conduct stubble burning for agricultural purposes during the Fire Danger Period. Previously, the applicant applied to Council, via the Municipal Fire Prevention Officer (MFPO). The MFPO assessed the information, inspected the property and if all conditions were met, a permit was issued.
In October 2018, Golden Plains Shire Council joined municipalities across the state in transitioning away from issuing the permits due to the inherent risks associated with fire within the Fire Danger Period. Council supported the Country Fire Authority (CFA) during the transition period, through supplying and accepting applications, preparing the permit and forwarding an unsigned permit to the CFA. The transition is now complete and the CFA will manage this process.
Following advice from the CFA in May 2019 that it had capacity to issue permits without Council assistance, Council’s Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee recommended Council cease issuing Permits to Burn by Private Persons.
To apply for Schedule 13 Permits to Burn by Private Persons during the 2019/2020 Fire Danger Period, please contact your local CFA district office:
CFA District 7 (Geelong)
PO Box 586 North Geelong VIC 3215 (5240 2700)
CFA District 15 (Ballarat)
PO Box 222W Ballarat West VIC 3353 (5329 5500)
CFA District 6 (Colac)
PO Box 298 Colac VIC 3250 (5232 5600)
Alternatively, residents can download the application at goldenplains.vic.gov.au/residents/permit-burn or collect a hard copy from Council’s Customer Service Centres in Bannockburn, Linton and Smythesdale and forward the completed application to your local CFA district office.
The 2019/20 Fire Danger Period is still in effect across the entire state, having begun in Golden Plains in December last year. For updates on when the official Fire Danger Period will end, please visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au/warnings-restrictions/restrictions-during-the-fire-danger-period.