Changes to process of obtaining schedule 13 permits

Published on 10 December 2020

Permit-to-Burn

Northern Grampians Shire Council would like to advise landholders that at the 3 August 2020 Council Meeting council resolved to discontinue the issuing of Schedule 13 Permits to Burn.

This change aligns the Northern Grampians Shire Council with many other municipalities across the State in consolidating the sign-off responsibilities of these permits.

Schedule 13 Permits are issued under the CFA Act 1958 for the burning of grass, stubble, weeds, undergrowth or other vegetation by private landholders during the Fire Danger Period. 

The Country Fire Authority (CFA) will now manage all Schedule 13 Permits and land owners will be required to contact the CFA to organise a permit to burn during the Fire Danger Period. 

CFA are the subject matter experts in relation to burn permits issued under the Act, and are the responding agency for out of control burns on non-compliant properties during the FDP.

Northern Grampians Shire Council Mayor, Murray Emerson, said the change will streamline the process of obtaining the permits.

“By handing responsibility for issuing schedule 13 permits to the CFA, council is reducing the steps involved for residents to obtain the necessary permits they need to keep our region fire safe,” he said. 

“This will result in a better transition of this service for our communities through use of the CFA’s dedicated online permits application portal.” 

Permits can be applied for online through the Fire Permits Victoria website at www.firepermits.vic.gov.au or via the nearest CFA district Office. 

The Northern Grampians Shire is covered by CFA District 16 whose headquarters are located at 31-33 Baird Street Ararat and can be contacted via post at PO Box 16 Ararat, VIC 3377 or by phone on 03 5352 9600.

If you have any queries for the Municipal Fire Prevention Officer, please do not hesitate to contact our office on 03 5358 8700.

Tagged as: