Browned off over fires

By Bridget Brady
LOCAL fire brigade captains say Casey Council’s changes to burning-off laws will increase their workload.
The changes that came into effect on 1 February now require all residents to obtain a permit to light any fire in the open air, regardless of the size of their property. Previously, a permit was only required for those on five acres or less.
Pearcedale fire brigade captain Kevin Sullivan said it was a concern for the brigade because there were many properties in the coastal village area that the law would now apply to.
“It becomes a problem for the fire brigade because if they are illegally burning off we’re going to get more calls out of it,” Mr Sullivan said.
Devon Meadows fire brigade captain Andrew Swain agreed his brigade was in the same boat.
The changes now meant the brigade could get a call in the middle of night about a burn off they would have to attend, Mr Swain said.
“We’re going to have to go out and say do you realise you need a permit. But usually the residents in Devon Meadows are pretty good,” he said.
Mr Swain said he could understand the frustration of some landowners on more than five acres who had always burnt off responsibly and now needed a permit to do so.
Casey’s manager of community safety Caroline Bell said complaints about burning off in inappropriate locations had increased as more land was subdivided in Casey.
“The inclusion of a requirement for properties over 20,000 square metres to obtain a permit prior to burning off addresses a range of community health and safety issues that have arisen in recent years, particularly on properties that are under development,” Ms Bell said.
An on-the-spot penalty of $500 may apply to someone without a permit, or a maximum of $2000 if the case went to court, Ms Bell said.