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10/30 Right – Getting It ClearThe Victorian Government has introduced measures to help landowners prepare for the 2009/10 bushfire season. By Bass Coast Shire Council - 11th September 2009 - Back to News Known as the 10/30 rights, these temporary exemptions came into effect on 10 September and allow property owners to clear vegetation around their homes for bushfire protection, without obtaining a planning permit.
Bass Coast Shire Council’s Planning and Environment Director, Hannah Duncan-Jones, said striking the balance between the fire risk of vegetation and preserving the value of our native environment would be a challenge for some land owners.
"People live in and visit Bass Coast because of our native environment," said Ms Duncan-Jones.
"One of the outcomes of the community visioning process in which over 1600 people took part was a ‘celebration of natural assets’, meaning our coastline, vegetation and farmland.
"We need to ensure that any vegetation clearing is done in a careful, planned way."
Land owners are urged to make sure they fully understand the exemptions before undertaking any clearing work.
"The exemptions have been introduced into to all regional and rural areas and apply to Bass Coast," confirmed Ms Duncan-Jones.
"The 10/30 right only applies on property that you own. It allows you to clear all vegetation, including trees within 10 metres of your house and all vegetation (except for trees) within 30 metres of your house," Ms Duncan-Jones said.
"It also allows you to remove all natural vegetation either side of your property boundary fence, to a combined maximum width of 4 metres, so two metres on either side of the boundary fence. You will need to reach an agreement with your neighbours regarding removal of vegetation on their property."
"You are only able to remove natural vegetation on a property if you own it," clarified Ms Duncan-Jones.
If you are renting a property, you need written permission from the landlord. To clear any vegetation on foreshore reserves or other public reserves or roadsides, you will need permission from the relevant authority, which will usually be Council.
Foreshore vegetation is managed to help minimise erosion and protect properties, roads and drainage assets from storm surges and extremely high tides.
Ms Duncan-Jones said that anyone who was unsure what vegetation could be removed under the new exemptions should contact Council before going ahead.
"Our staff can give advice on what is allowed under the regulations," said Ms Duncan-Jones.
Bushfire preparation
Council’s Emergency Management Coordinator, James Bremner, said "keeping your property well maintained and clear of fine fuels was an important part of bushfire preparation."
"Bushfires rely on fine fuels including leaf litter, twigs and shrubs on the surface to develop speed and intensity," explained Mr Bremner.
Regular property maintenance such as mowing, raking or slashing can reduce the build up of fuels from around your house. Weed species should be treated and removed. Keep decks and gutters free of leaves and other fine fuels.
You should aim for grass to be no more than 100mm in height and try to keep leaf litter at less than 10mm deep on your property
"Residential areas of Bass Coast with cultivated gardens where natural vegetation is separated by open spaces of grass or lawn falls into the lower risk category," advised Mr Bremner.
"Any vegetation removal should be part of a sensible and appropriate fire management plan and we do recommend that property owners get advice from the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667, the CFA website: www.cfa.vic.gov.au or Council before embarking on any work.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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