STOCKISTS OF LEADING BRANDS
LIVING ON THE LAND
Bushfire management
responsibilities of small farm owners
Dick Petrikas P / L Chainsaws , Mowers , Tractors Petrikas Lane , TENNYSON Ph : 4576 5555
Easy to drive steering wheel Zero Turn Mower
RANGE OF FIRE PUMPS & HOSES
If there is one thing a small farm owner can count on during a high-risk fire day , it ’ s that your local rural fire brigade probably won ’ t arrive in time to control a fire on your property . They are likely to be busy fighting fires elsewhere , as fire-fighting resources are often allocated to places where there is the greatest risk to life on high-risk fire days .
This can be a difficult fact to take on board for some new landholders , especially those living close to our larger regional towns and cities who are used to services being nearby and instantly available .
Bushfire management responsibilities of small farm owners
Living out of town and in a rural area is vastly different when it comes to firefighting services because of the much lower population densities and greater travelling distances between farms .
The message for small farm and lifestyle property holders is therefore clear : When it comes to firefighting and safety , you ’ re largely ‘ on your own ’, so you need to be prepared .
Bushfire safety – 4 simple steps to be prepared :
• Prepare your property and take action
• What will you do in the event of a fire ?
• Know the conditions
• Keep the bushfire information websites , numbers and app
Your bushfire responsibilities under the law
With farm ownership also comes significant bushfire management responsibilities , even for small holdings . Each Australian state has its own legislation detailing the roles and responsibilities in rural bushfire management and control .
For example , NSW legislation is covered under the Rural Fires Act 1997 . This particular piece of legislation makes it very clear that the onus is on the farm owner to prevent fires from starting , and if a fire does start , to have adequate resources to extinguish the fire before it spreads to neighbouring properties . If the owner fails to do this , they could be liable for any damage the fire causes .
Depending on the incident , the 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 – for example , 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 . 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 contact 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 creating a farm asset schedule and photos .
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THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 164 // JANUARY 2024 31