The council has said that firebreaks need to meet requirements by November 1, two weeks before the deadline in previous years.
With council officers beginning inspections on November 2, property owners will need to make sure firebreaks meet the minimum requirements of a 3 metre width and a 3.5 metre clearance height. Changes to council ordinances are often advertised with the assistance of brochure printing services.
Chief Bushfire Control Officer for Wanneroo Council, Paul Postma, reminded landowners that fire hazard management and the installation of firebreaks are their responsibility under the Bush Fires Act of 1954. He told the Wanneroo Times:
“Firebreaks are installed for several reasons; critically, they enable firefighters to safely navigate properties under threat as well as allowing firefighting crews access to the property to slow down the rate of spread of a fire.”
Postma commented that while most residents comply with firebreak requirements, there is a small minority who in the past have chosen to flout the rules. He said bringing the date forward this year will bring the council into alignment with other local governments as well as allow extra time for any remedial works ahead of summer.