At Tuesday’s 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.
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, residents will now need to contact their local CFA district to request and submit a permit application:
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)