> Native vegetation > Clearing native vegetation > Common reasons for clearing

Fire prevention: around dwellings and fence lines

If you want to clear native vegetation for fire prevention around dwellings and fence lines, the requirements that must be met are outlined under Schedule 1, Regulation 9, Clause 17 of the Native Vegetation Regulations 2017.

Can I clear native vegetation for fire prevention and control?

You can clear vegetation for fire prevention and control measures around dwellings and fence lines.

There is a common misconception that trees fuel fires. The evidence is that for many fires the most significant fuels are ‘fine fuels’ such as grass, leaves, bark and twigs, that are less than 6 mm in diameter. Fine fuels catch fire easily when dry and ‘carry’ a fire. To reduce bushfire risks, it is important to manage debris and vegetation that makes up fine fuels near assets such as fence lines. So, you may need to manage fine fuels and trim low branches as they can help connect fine fuels below a tree with the tree canopy. The South Australian Country Fire Service (CFS) has more information on preparing for a bushfire.

What can I clear?

You can clear vegetation (except for large trees with a trunk circumference greater than 2 m):

within 20 m of a dwelling (dwelling means an approved building or part of a building used as a self-contained residence)
to create or maintain a fence line fuel break with a total width of no more than 5 m.

Does this include land under Heritage or Management Agreement?

Yes, you can clear for this purpose on Heritage Agreement or Management Agreement land.

The Department at this time does not offer bushfire recovery grants. For grants relating to recent fires in Nangkita/Tooperang and Deep Creek, the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board has bushfire recovery grants is open now for fire affected landholders.

The Native Vegetation Council has a HA incentive grants program that supports weed control and fencing for new protected areas.

Do I need approval?

No, you do not need to get approval from the Native Vegetation Council or the Country Fire Service (CFS).

To clear large trees within 20 m of a dwelling you will require CFS approval.

What do I have to do?

Self-assess that your clearing is within the parameters of this activity.
Apply the Mitigation Hierarchy. Are there practical alternatives to clearing, including options that involve no clearing, or clearing vegetation that is less significant or more degraded?
Obtain the written permission of the landowner if you are acting on behalf of the landowner.
Clear vegetation in accordance with any applicable Bushfire Management Plan or another plan for the management of bushfires approved by the Native Vegetation Council.

Can I clear for fuel reduction or to establish fire tracks?

To clear vegetation to establish fuel breaks or fire tracks refer to information about fire hazard reduction.

Are you in the River Murray Floodplain Area?

The following regulations may also apply if you live in the River Murray Floodplain Area:

Clearing vegetation within 10 m of an existing building; there are restrictions to clearance of limbs in the River Murray Floodplain Area – refer to information about clearing vegetation around an existing building or dwelling.
Clearing large trees within 20 m of a dwelling; there are no restrictions in the River Murray Floodplain Area but CFS approval is required – refer to information about fire hazard reduction.
Clearing for the safety of people and property; there are no restrictions in the River Murray Floodplain Area but you must have an arborist report approved by the NVC – refer to information about clearing for the safety of persons and property.

What if my activity doesn't fit this description?

If your proposed clearance does not meet the requirements of this regulation, or another regulation, you can submit a clearance application under Section 28 of the Native Vegetation Act 1991.