Restricted Burning Period
Restricted Burning Period has commenced. Permits are required.
Fire Hazards
Properties under 4047m2 - All flammable materials such as dry grass and weeds must be slashed, mowed or trimmed down to a maximum height of 50mm across the entire property and all dead vegetation must be removed. This must be put in place by 1 November each year and maintained to 15 April.
Firebreak requirements
Properties over 4047m2 - A firebreak is an area where flammable material (such as wood, leaves and grass) has been cleared to provide vehicle access and help minimise the spread of a fire.
Firebreaks must be put in place by 1 November each year and maintained up until 15 April the following year. Extensions will not be granted.
Property inspections by the City
Inspections of private property commence in November and are ongoing until April each year. We have had high levels of compliance within the rural areas, which shows strong community understanding of the impending dangers from bushfires through summer.
Important note: If you receive a letter from the City outlining works you need to undertake to reduce fire risks, you must comply with the advice before the due date or a contractor will be appointed by the City and all associated costs will be charged to you.
Need help with your firebreaks or slashing? Visit the
Yellow Pages for contractors.
Please refer to the City’s
Fire Control Order for more information on how to make your property compliant.
Fire Control Order Variations
If you cannot comply with the requirements you can complete the online firebreak variation application form.
Firebreak Variation Application Form
Approved: You must comply with the conditions of the approved variation.
Not approved: You must comply with the requirements of the Fire Control Order.
No burning allowed in non-rural areas.
Cockburn remains under a Restricted Burning Time, which has been extended by the City until Sunday 7 June 2024.
No fire can be lit on a day when the fire danger is declared as High, Extreme or Catastrophic. You cannot undertake any activities that have the potential to start a fire during a Total Fire Ban. Heavy penalties may apply.
Burning vegetation on land that is being cleared for development is an offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1986. No burning permit will be issued and the vegetation must be disposed of by other means.
Restricted Burning Time
Only properties zoned 'Rural' under the Metropolitan Region Scheme are permitted to burn garden refuse anytime throughout the year.
The Restricted Burning Time is from 1 April - 31 May and 1 October - 30 November. During this time, rural property owners are permitted to conduct burning activities on their properties; however, they must obtain a ‘Permit to Burn’ from the City of Cockburn before beginning any burning activities.
The unrestricted burning period is from 1 June - 30 September and you do not need a burning permit.
The prohibited period is 1 December - 31 March. No burning is permitted unless declared otherwise by the Minister of Fire and Emergency Services or the City’s Chief Bush Fire Control Officer.
Please note these periods can vary at Council’s discretion.
Rural burning of bush larger than 1m³
You will need to obtain a Permit to Set Fire to the Bush.
Residents can obtain as many permits as required to conduct bushfire hazard reduction on their property.
If you are unable to meet the requirements of the Permit to Set Fire to the Bush, you must discuss this with the fire control officer at the time of issue. You may receive a penalty if you fail to comply.
If you are unable to meet the requirements of your fire permit, it is an offence to approach another fire control officer for a new permit.
Please see the City's Fire Control Order for information on burning piles smaller than 1m3 without a permit.
Apply for a fire permit
Please contact the City's Safer City team for more information on firebreaks and burning permits on 08 9411 3444 or at [email protected].