Burning off

Burning off conditions apply depending if the shire is within or outside the Fire Danger Period.

The Fire Danger Period is when the CFA restricts the use of fire in the community to reduce the occurrence of nuisance fires during the period of highest fire risk. The date is announced at the end of the year by the CFA. Visit our Fire Danger Period restrictions page or the CFA website to find out more and to determine if restrictions are in force in the Mount Alexander Shire.

During the Fire Danger Period

Council does not issue permits to burn-off during the Fire Danger Period or Total Fire Ban days.

To conduct a burn-off during the Fire Danger Period you must obtain a permit from Fire Permits Victoria or by calling 1800 668 511.

No fires are to be lit in the open air on Total Fire Ban Days unless you have a special permit.

Outside the Fire Danger Period

You can burn-off but conditions apply and a permit may be required, see below for more information.

Burning off during the Fire Danger Period?

No burning off is permitted during Fire Danger Period without a permit to burn, which can be applied for through Fire Permits Victoria or by calling 1800 668 511.

You must not ignite a fire other than for an approved purpose during the fire danger period.  

Penalties for lighting fires illegally during the Fire Danger Period and on Total Fire Ban days include large fines and possible imprisonment.

Burning off on a Total Fire Ban day

No fires are to be lit in the open air on Total Fire Ban Days unless you have a special permit. For more information please visit the CFA website. 

Penalties for lighting fires illegally during the Fire Danger Period and on Total Fire Ban days include large fines and possible imprisonment.

Burning off outside the Fire Danger Period

Residential properties (regular house block):

In you live in a residential area you likely live on property less than 2,023 square metres (.5 acres) and will require an Open air burning permit before burning off, unless:

• You burn off on any Tuesday and Saturday
• You utilise a purpose-built cooking structure such as a barbeques or pizza ovens
• You utilise a properly constructed fire pit or chimenea

Large residential and rural properties:

If you live on a property over 2,023 square metres (.5 acres) then you don’t need a permit to burn off or use an incinerator.

Important: Before burning off you need to register your burn off with the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA) and Fire Permits Victoria. Please see our Before Burning Off section or visit the CFA website to find out how.

 Visit the CFA’s Burning off page to find out about safety guidelines for burning off outside the Fire Danger Period.

Apply for an Open air burning permit by email or in person:

Download and complete the Open air burning permit application(PDF, 115KB) (PDF, 115KB).

Email it to info@mountalexander.vic.gov.au or bring it into our Customer Service Counter at:

Corner Lyttleton and Lloyd Streets
Castlemaine, Victoria 3450

Important: Before burning off you need to register your burn off with the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA). and Fire Permits Victoria. Please see our Before Burning Off section or visit the CFA website to find out how. 

Before burning off, ensure;

• You're following regulations or laws by CFA and your local council regardless of if you have a permit or don’t require one.
• Any flammable material must be cleared at least three metres in all directions around the fire
• Sufficient fire protection equipment needs to be available to extinguish the fire, if required
• A connected hose or 20 litre container of water must be available to reduce the risk of the fire spreading
• The fire must be attended by a responsible person over 18 years of age, at all times until the fire is extinguished
• Offensive, noxious or toxic material is not to be burnt
• The wind speed at the site of the fire must not be more than 15 kilometres an hour (8 knots)
• You notify your neighbours if your activity will generate fire and smoke
• Check the weather forecast for the day of the activity and a few days afterwards to ensure that fire related conditions such as wind and heat will not cause you fire to re-ignite
• There are enough people to monitor, contain and extinguish the burn safely and effectively
• Upon extinguishing the burn, it should be cool to the touch to minimise the chance of re-ignition
• You must notify the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA)

Unregistered burn-offs can cause brigades to be called out unnecessarily.

Register you burn off

Notify ESTA of your planned burn:

• Online (Preferred) - Register online through the Fire Permits Victoria website. You can do so if your burn-off commences more than two hours from now
• By Phone - If you wish to start your burn-off immediately, or do not wish to utilise the online form, you may register your burn-off by calling ESTA on 1800 668 511, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. National Relay Service Users can ring 1300 555 727 and ask for Information to be relayed to ESTA via 1800 668 511
• By Email - Complete the Burn off Notification Form (PDF 191.5KB) and email the form to burnoffs@esta.vic.gov.au

You are permitted to burn off:

• Grass
• Stubble
• Weeds
• Undergrowth or other vegetation

You must not burn any of the following materials:

• Green or wet material
• Non-timber based building materials
• Rubber or plastic, including plastic mulch, plant pots and packaging materials.
• Furnishings and carpet
• Manufactured chemicals, petroleum or oil products, paint, including any container in which paint is kept or other offensive, noxious or toxic matter
• Food waste
• Manure and straw
• Carcasses of dead animals