Bushfire preparedness

Preparing for bushfire season

For information about how to prepare for the bushfire season, refer to the Native Vegetation Council and Country Fire Service (CFS) Guide. Information on native vegetation management is also available on the CFS website.

For further information, see the Fact Sheet - Preparing for a Bushfire.

After a bushfire

For information on where clearance is permitted after a bushfire, see the Native trees in burnt areas FAQ.

You can also read information on fire hazard reduction during bushfire recovery.

The activities involving clearance that you can undertake on your property after a bushfire are highlighted below.

Can I replace a fence?

Yes, you can undertake necessary clearance along a fenceline to establish or maintain a fuel break where the total width does not exceed 5 m (eg 2.5 m either side of fence) or to a maximum of 1 m onto a road reserve, with permission from the local council. For more information see our information on fences.

If you have a Native Vegetation Heritage Agreement on a property that has been burnt by a bushfire since December 2019, and all or part of a fence protecting an area requires replacement, you may be eligible for assistance. Please contact the Native Vegetation Branch for further details.

Can I realign a fence?

Yes, you can realign a fence provided you are doing it in a way that reduces the amount of new clearance. If you are establishing a new fence, you need to notify us.

Can I replace an access track?

Yes, you can clear an existing access track on your property, provided it is used for walking access and is no more than 0.5 m in width. For more information see our information on walking tracks.

Can I replace a vehicle track?

Yes, you can clear to maintain a vehicle track of no more than 5 m wide that provides access on your property. If you are establishing a new vehicle track, you need to notify us.

Can I remove a burnt tree posing a safety risk or inhibiting access?

Yes, you can remove limbs of a burnt tree or the whole burnt tree (where necessary) if it is within 10 m of a house or building and is inhibiting access or posing a safety risk.

Can I remove a burnt tree from a road reserve?

You must have approval to do so by your local council which will refer to the Native Vegetation Council's Guidelines for Roadside Native Vegetation Management.

Can I remove a burnt tree in my paddock?

Many of these trees will reshoot and recover post fire. Where there is no immediate safety risk to people and property, burnt paddock trees should be retained. If there is a safety risk, a report from a plant health expert must be provided to the Native Vegetation Council for approval.

Burnt trees remain important habitat which is protected under the Native Vegetation Act 1991. See our Dead trees included as native vegetation Fact Sheet for more information.

Can clearance for fuel breaks or fire mitigation occur during an active fire?

CFS Officers have certain powers during an active fire to undertake necessary actions to protect people and property. This can include undertaking or directing the clearance of native vegetation for activities such as fire breaks on state, local government or private land.

Landowners should only act upon the direction of a CFS Officer. For further information contact the CFS.