What are the new rules that apply to reducing the impact of bushfire?
In most areas landowners can now reduce, modify or remove all vegetation including native vegetation, within 20 metres of a prescribed building and within 5 metres of a prescribed structure on their property, without approval from CFS or the Native Vegetation Council. That approval does not permit the clearance of significant trees. If you want to remove or modify a ‘significant tree’ as defined under the Development Regulations 2008, you will need approval from your Local Council. You will need approval from the CFS to reduce, modify or remove native vegetation that is further than 20 metres from a prescribed building (or further than 5 metres from a prescribed structure), if: • a bushfire prevention plan is not in place • the proposed fuel reduction activities are not incorporated under an approved bushfire prevention plan The strategic reduction of fuel on a property can be done according to a CFS-approved bushfire prevention plan. Other fuel reduction activities, such as prescribed
