All submissions received will be considered as part of the consultation process. The submissions will be provided to Councillors for consideration as well as a summary of the key themes identified through the feedback.

This is a proposed commencement date only. Following this consultation phase, all submissions received on the draft local law will be considered and presented to councillors for further consideration. This proposed date would allow time for submissions to be considered and for proper legal process to be followed.

The current laws about open air fires will remain in place until this law comes into effect.

All fires must be located a substantial distance away from buildings, fences and vegetation to avoid these structures potentially catching on fire. In Cardinia Shire, the fire brigade is called to an average of one to 2 burns offs per week that have escaped their burn off area.

Ensuring any fire is well away from neighbouring properties also lessens the impact of smoke on your neighbours.

This clause is not intended to prevent burning off, and we invite submissions that support the current proposal, as well as those that propose alternative ways to address the safety and amenity objectives.

Winter is typically wet and windy in Victoria, which doesn’t make it a good time to burn off.

Burning during windy weather increases the chance of a fire escaping the burn off area and spreading. Fires in wet weather also create excess smoke from damp vegetation and are hard to light and keep alight.

Banning open air fires during set months also gives residents a guaranteed ‘smoke-free’ period, which is likely to be welcomed by those who have health challenges or who don’t support burning off.

Burning industrial and household waste such as plastic, rubber, metal and liquid is toxic and harmful to human health and the environment, through noxious smoke and the leaching of chemicals into surrounding soils. This provision will allow Council officers to address waste disposal offences that are not for the purpose of bushfire fuel reduction.

In 2019, Council began the process of reviewing the existing local law on open air burning (Local Law 17 Part 5A). During late 2019 and into 2020, we engaged extensively with residents, businesses and government agencies to hear your views about what you thought worked well in relation to the existing regulations on open air fires, and what you thought should change. This initial consultation was conducted via a survey and other online tools on the Creating Cardinia engagement mini-site, community drop-in sessions and feedback from various committees in the shire. The feedback we received helped shape the development of proposed Local Law 20. This proposed local law (link) is now available for you to review, giving you another opportunity to provide additional feedback.

Council does not currently charge a fee for burning off permits and there are currently no plans to implement a fee.

Every resident and property in Cardinia Shire can apply for a permit to burn off. Once you submit an application, you’ll usually get a response from us within 2 business days.

The draft local law proposes that residents located in these zones would not need a permit to burn off if other conditions for that zone, as outlined in the local law, are met.

Registering that you are having a planned fire prevents the fire brigade being called out unnecessarily, as the person who takes the call can then confirm that the fire is registered and planned.

To register a planned fire, call the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA) on 1800 668 511. Registering your burn off is a requirement under the existing Local Law 17 Part 5A.

Yes. The draft local law proposes that Council, through the CEO, may suspend clauses in the proposed local law in the lead up to the Fire Danger Period so residents have more opportunities to prepare their properties for the fire season. This is stipulated in Section 10 of the proposed law.

Residents impacted by the storms were provided with a number of extra kerbside waste collections and drop-off days immediately after the storms, and those in storm impacted areas can still register for a free Council hard and green waste kerbside collection by calling us on 1300 787 624.

A free green waste drop-off service operating at Lysterfield Resource Recovery Centre has unfortunately been suspended due to the current COVID-19 restrictions. This service will start up again as soon as restrictions allow.

We’re producing a newsletter to keep the storm-affected community in Cardinia Shire informed of services and support available.

More info: Information for residents and businesses affected by the storms

Council provides and encourages other methods for disposing of green waste, including:

• food and green waste kerbside bin service. An additional food and green waste bin is also available for a fee
• bookable hard and green waste collection service (2 per household per year)
• free green waste drop-off days
• a rebate of up to $50 when you buy composting and mulching equipment