Burning Off

Local Laws

The Mornington Peninsula Shire Open Air Burning Local Law dictates the rules around burning off on the Mornington Peninsula outside the Fire Danger Period.

The Fire Danger Period is declared by the CFA under the Country Fire Authority Act 1958, and the exact dates vary by region depending on the conditions each year. Generally, the Fire Danger Period runs over the summer months.

Outside the Fire Danger Period, please visit the Mornington Peninsula Shire website for further information on burning off on your property.

Before burning off:

  • Check and follow local regulations or laws set down by CFA or your local council
  • Notify neighbours at least two hours before starting the burn
  • Notify the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA) on 1800 668 511
  • Check the weather forecast for the day of the burn and a few days afterwards
  • Check the fuel moisture conditions
  • Establish a fire break of no less than three metres cleared of all flammable material
  • Make sure there are enough people to monitor, contain and extinguish the burn safely and effectively.

Register your burn-off

All burn-offs should be registered with ESTA on 1800 668 511.

Notifying ESTA about planned burns prevents unnecessary fire brigade response. Callers reporting an actual fire can then verify that the fire is a planned burn. If this can’t be verified a fire brigade will be asked to respond.

Please provide the following information about your burn-off when registering:

  • Location
  • Date and expected start and finish times
  • Estimated size
  • What you intend to burn

Unregistered burn-offs can cause brigades to be called out unnecessarily.

You can also download the Burn off Notification Form (DOC 127k) and email: burnoffs@esta.vic.gov.au or fax: 1300 674 428.

Some information that you provide may be displayed on the Vic Emergency website. This may include the street name and area where the planned burn you are registering will take place. This information may be shared on the Vic Emergency website at the time of ignition, as well as the VicEmergency app and internal incident management systems.

Permits

Burning off during the Fire Danger Period – Schedule 13 Permits

Burning off grass, stubble, weeds, undergrowth or other vegetation during the Fire Danger Period is permitted under the following conditions:

  • You have a written permit issued by a Fire Prevention Officer of a public authority, the Municipal Fire Prevention Officer or by the CFA District office
  • You comply with the conditions of that permit
  • A person is in attendance at all times while the fire is alight and has the capacity and means to extinguish the fire
  • The fire is completely extinguished before the person leaves.

Many councils ban burning off on certain days, within certain locations or at certain times within their municipalities. Check with the Municipal Fire Prevention Officer.

More information about Fire Permits.

Burning for other purposes – Schedule 14 permits

Schedule 14 permits are for purposes not covered by Schedule 13 during the Fire Danger Period. For example, burning deceased stock or operating machinery.

CFA regional offices usually issue Schedule 14 permits but check with your local council first – arrangements are different in each area.

Resources