Firebreaks and Bushfire Prevention

Firebreaks and driveways

Firebreaks and driveways mean a trafficable area or strips of land cleared of flammable materials, such as grass, leaf litter, and fallen tree debris and waste. Effective installation and maintenance combined with reduced fuel load help slow the spread and intensity of bushfires while providing safe and reliable access for maintenance, firefighting, and emergency service vehicles.

Driveways should always be maintained to the standard of your firebreak. If a fire truck cannot get into your property safely and turn around, it will not be able to defend your home from a bushfire.

Compliance Inspections  

From 3 November, the Shire Ranger may inspect properties throughout the district to assess compliance with the Notice.

Inspections help identify fire risks early and support community preparedness before the peak bushfire season.

Where a property does not meet the requirements of the Notice, the Shire may take enforcement action under the Bush Fires Act 1954. 

Depending on the circumstances, enforcement may include:

1. Issuing a Work Order requiring compliance within a specified timeframe.
2. Issuing an infringement for failing to comply.
3. The Shire may arrange for the required works to be completed by a contractor, with all associated costs recovered from the property owner.

The Shire's preference is always to achieve voluntary compliance. Property owners experiencing genuine difficulties meeting the requirements are encouraged to contact the Shire Ranger as early as possible to discuss their circumstances.

Examples below of compliant and non-compliant fire prevention works. 

Owner/Occupier Responsibilities

If you own or occupy land within the Shire of Nannup, you are responsible for:

• Reading the Notice. 
• Determining the zoning requirements that apply to your property.
• Completing all required Bushfire prevention works by the compliance period commencing 3 November. 
• Maintaining compliance until 30 April, or as otherwise specified in the Notice.
• Ensuring contractors or property managers acting on your behalf also meet these requirements.

Compliance must be maintained for the full compliance period, not just achieved once.

Property Zoning Requirements

Bushfire prevention work requirements vary depending on your property’s zoning, land use and site conditions. Before commencing works, refer to the current Bushfire Risk Firebreak Compliance Notice to confirm the requirements that apply to your property. 

If you are unsure of your property’s zoning, refer to the Interactive Property Map or contact the Shire Ranger Services before commencing works.

The Asset Protection Zone (APZ) means a low fuel load area immediately surrounding a building and related structure to minimise the likelihood of flame contact with the building. APZs predominantly consist of managed vegetation, reticulated lawns and gardens and other non-flammable features.

The APZ requirements apply to all properties regardless of size and must be maintained all year round.

Important Dates 

Property owners and occupiers are encouraged to complete required works well before the deadline to allow for contractor availability, weather conditions and unexpected delays.

Variation Applications

If you cannot meet the standard requirements because of site constraints, access limitations, natural features or other relevant circumstances, you may apply for a Variation before 31 October. A variation may allow bushfire prevention works in alternative locations or another approved method of reducing fire hazards.

Variation requests must be submitted by the property owner, or a person authorised to act on the owner’s behalf. A separate request is required for each property. 

Variation application's must be signed by your local Bush Fire Brigade’s (BFB) Fire Control Officer (FCO) for comment.
The FCO provides a recommendation from the brigade’s operational perspective only and does not approve or refuse the application. They may suggest alterations.

The Ranger may grant, refuse, alter or impose conditions on an application, and may request that a bushfire planning consultant complete or support the application for complex variations.

Approved variations must be in place by 3 November and maintained for the full compliance period.

Note: a list of Fire Control Officers and their contact details can be found under Fire Control Officers available on the Shire website.

Hazard Reduction Contractors

You may engage a contractor to complete the required works on your behalf. Responsibility for compliance remains with the property owner or occupier.

A list of local Firebreak and Fuel Hazard Reduction Contractors is available from the Shire’s website.

Fire and Emergency

Please visit the Shire Fire and Emergency page for more information on Burning Periods, Fire Danger Ratings, Permits to Burn, Total Fire Bans, Bushfire mitigation and Harvest and Vehicle Movement Bans.

Related legislation and Information 

• Bush Fires Act 1954
• Bushfire Regulations 1954
• DFES Firebreak Factsheet