STOCKISTS OF LEADING BRANDS
LIVING ON THE LAND
landholder could also be liable for prosecution under the act if they fail to take reasonable steps regarding fire hazard management , or if they recklessly cause the fire in the first place – e . g ., by lighting it during a high fire danger period . The legislation is also very clear that reasonable steps must be taken regarding fire risk management and these should be based on the level of hazard . If there ' s a large fire hazard , then the property owner should have adequate measures in place to manage such hazards . This might mean , for example , that additional farm fire equipment is required beyond those needed to protect just the homestead .
Below is the link to the relevant NSW state legislation to better understand your responsibilities :
NSW Rural Fires Act 1997 - https :// legislation . nsw . gov . au / view / html / inforce / current / act-1997-065 Practical steps Fortunately , there ' s plenty of good information and very practical steps rural land holders can take to effectively manage and mitigate bushfire risk on their property . A good place to start is to simply get in touch with your local rural fire brigade and ask what they recommend . All rural fire brigades have open days
specifically to cover general aspects of firefighting . Individual visits to properties to assess fire risks can usually be arranged as well . Attending open days and getting involved with the local rural fire brigade is also a great way to meet with your neighbours and engage positively with your community .
All Australian state rural fire services have checklists to assist landholders in preparing for the bushfire season and in helping make safe and sensible , ' stay and defend ' or ' leave early ’ decisions . The NSW Rural Fire Service has its own Farm Fire Plan , which includes 5 actions ( clear / slash , burn , plough , rotate , prepare ) to make your property safer . Where to from here ? Whether you ’ re a new small farm owner or have been doing it for a while , the Farm Fire Plan should be on every owner ’ s must do list and should be reviewed annually . For more information regarding bushfire preparation and management visit Essential Bushfire Safety Tips .
Small farm insurance should also be reviewed annually to ensure it is up to date and a farm audit should be conducted on an annual basis , along with
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Finance under chattel mortgage with an interest rate of 0 % pa , 30 % cash deposit , the GST component repaid in the 4th month and monthly repayments in arrears over a 36 months term . Available for new retail orders placed before COB 30 September 2023 , and installed within 2 calendar months of arrival , to approved purchasers for business purposes only . Fees , terms and conditions apply . Not available in conjunction with any other offer . Finance provided by AGCO Finance Ltd GST No . 88-831-861 . Offer available at participating Massey Ferguson Dealers only , while stocks last ..
5 Walker Street , South Windsor Phone 4577 4622 www . gwsmachinery . com . au
Dick Petrikas P / L Chainsaws , Mowers , Tractors creating a farm asset schedule and photos .
Petrikas Lane , TENNYSON Ph : 4576 5555
Annual Chemical CleanOut
It ’ s time to start preparing for a Chemical CleanOut ! Hawkesbury City Council ’ s free Chemical CleanOut will be held on Sunday 13 August from 9am to 3:30pm at Hawkesbury Showground , Racecourse Road , Clarendon , entry via Gate 1 .
This is your chance to look through your home and shed for any old chemicals that you need to dispose of safely . You can make your family home safer by removing old gas bottles , unused chemicals and fuels . You will also be preventing fire hazards and protecting our local environment and waterways by responsibly disposing of your potentially hazardous household chemicals .
Hawkesbury residents have long demonstrated they care about the environment . Since 2014 , more than 220,000kg of chemical waste has been dropped off by the Hawkesbury community . You can drop off :
• household cleaners and solvents
• handheld batteries , car batteries
• fluorescent globes and tubes
• paint
• pesticides , herbicides , poisons
• gas bottles
• smoke detectors , fire extinguishers
• pool chemicals
• hobby chemicals
• acids and alkalis
• motor oils , fuels and fluids
Only household quantities of chemicals are accepted ( 20L or 20kg ), except paint . Up to 100L ( in 20L containers ) of paint is accepted .
For more information on what can be disposed of , or quantities or safe transport tips , visit www . cleanout . com . au or call the Environment Line on 131 555 . If you cannot attend the Hawkesbury Chemical CleanOut , remember most Chemical CleanOut events held across Sydney and NSW are open to everyone , you do not need to be a local resident . You can check this in relation to specific CleanOuts at www . cleanout . com . au .
Please note that businesses are not eligible to use these services and should contact a waste disposal service directly or visit http :// businessrecycling . com . au
Log Splitters
Chainsaws
Easy to drive steering wheel
Zero Turn Mower
STOCKISTS OF LEADING BRANDS
THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 159 // AUGUST 2023 25