Residents wishing to conduct burning off in the Onkaparinga City Council district must have a permit. Permits can be obtained by completing an Onkaparinga City Council permit application form and returning it to the council. The time of year you wish to burn affects the permit type required.

Schedule 9 Permits (1st December – 30 April)

A schedule 9 permit is required to light a fire in the fire danger season when any burning-off is to be undertaken and when any fire is lit on the ground. The exceptions being fires used for cooking and personal comfort, gas fired appliances for cooking purposes or electric welding equipment and gas fires used for other purposes, provided they are lit in accordance with the conditions that apply to their use.

The City of Onkaparinga falls under the Mt Lofty Fire Ban district regulations. The Mt Lofty Fire Ban district fire danger season this year begins on the 1st of December 2009 and concludes on the 30th of April 2010. However seasonal conditions may require the season to be extended as required.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Burning Permits (1 May – 30th November)

Authorised Officers of the Council may issue EPA burning permits on approval upon submission of a permit application form. Permits are issued for a maximum of 2 months only, in accordance with EPA guidelines. Hills face and rural, non-domestic properties can only be issued with permits. For further detail on burning permits please contact the Council's Fire Prevention Officer, Dennis Rainsford on 8384 0648.

Notification

The holder of the permit must notify the persons listed on the permit not less than 2 hours before the fire is lit or the intention to light up. Normally notification would be to:

all adjoining neighbours.

an officer of the local council.

the person in charge of any nearby government reserve and,

the local CFS brigade (ph 8382 8489 for Morphett Vale).

It is important that the permit conditions are followed, the penalties for illegally lighting a fire are very severe. You face the possibility of incurring a fine of up to $8000 or imprisonment for up to two (2) years.

What can I do ??

ACTIVITY

FIRE DANGER SEASON

TOTAL FIRE BAN DAY

Can I light a fire without a permit?

 In general the only fires which do not require a permit are fires used for cooking, personal comfort, fires in incinerators, gas fires, gas fired appliances and gas or electric welding equipment, provided they are lit in accordance with regulations and council restrictions applying to their use.  

No.

ACTIVITY

FIRE DANGER SEASON

TOTAL FIRE BAN DAY

Can I use an angle grinder outside?

 Yes. Providing you have;
  • a shield or guard of fire resistant material around the fire to prevent the escape of sparks, hot metal or slag.
     
  • the space immediately around and above the fire is cleared of all flammable material to a distance of at least four metres, or wetted sufficiently to prevent the spread of fire.
     
  • a supply of water adequate to extinguish the fire is at hand.
     
  • if any equipment is removed from the fire, the equipment is immediately placed in a fire proof receptacle.
     
  • a person who is able to control the fire is present at the site of the fire from the time it is lighted to the time it is completely extinguished.

No. Unless you have obtained a schedule 10 permit from your local council.

ACTIVITY

FIRE DANGER SEASON

TOTAL FIRE BAN DAY

Can I have a barbecue?

 

 Yes. Providing you have;

No. Unless it is a gas or electric barbeque and used only within 15 metres of a dwelling or coastal foreshore.

You must have:  

 

  • A four (4) metre cleared area around, and above the barbeque.

  • A responsible person in attendance with water or other extinguishing agent on hand.

ACTIVITY

FIRE DANGER SEASON

TOTAL FIRE BAN DAY

Can I use a bird scarer in my orchard?

 Yes, providing; Yes, providing;

 

 

  • It is constructed to prevent the escape of fire.

  • You have a four (4) metre cleared space around the area.

  • The bird scarer is in good working order and can’t be tipped over.

ACTIVITY

FIRE DANGER SEASON

TOTAL FIRE BAN DAY

Can I burn-off on my property?

  No. Unless you have obtained a Schedule 9 permit from the council. No. Unless you have obtained a Schedule 10 permit from the council.  

 
  • Your local council can advise the conditions for burning-off in you local area.

Can I have a campfire?

 Yes, providing;
  • The fire is in a 30cm deep trench and no more than one (1) metre square in area.
  • You have a four (4) metre cleared space around and above the fire.
  • A responsible person is in attendance at all times with water or other extinguishing agent on hand.
 No. All campfires are banned unless you have obtained a Schedule 10 permit from the council.

ACTIVITY

FIRE DANGER SEASON

TOTAL FIRE BAN DAY

Can I use a chainsaw or brush cutter?

 Yes. Providing; Yes. Providing;

 

  
  • The exhaust pipe is fitted with an efficient spark arrester.
  • You have a four (4) metre cleared space around the area or the operator has a knapsack or water extinguisher at hand and a shovel or rake.

ACTIVITY

FIRE DANGER SEASON

TOTAL FIRE BAN DAY

Can I use fireworks?

 No. Private use of fireworks is banned.
  • Licensed Pyrotechnics may conduct public fireworks displays. A Schedule 9 permit must be obtained from the council.
No. Private use of fireworks is banned.
  • Licensed Pyrotechnics may conduct public fireworks displays. A Schedule 10 permit must be obtained from the council.

ACTIVITY

FIRE DANGER SEASON

TOTAL FIRE BAN DAY

Can I undertake harvesting activities?

 Yes, Providing; Yes, Providing;

 

  
  • Any exhaust pipe is fitted with an efficient spark arrester.
  • The vehicle carries a knapsack spray or water extinguisher and a shovel or rake.
  • Your local grain harvesting industry code of practice is followed.

ACTIVITY

FIRE DANGER SEASON

TOTAL FIRE BAN DAY

Can I use a mower or slasher?

 Yes, Providing; Yes, Providing;

 

  
  • The exhaust pipe is fitted with an efficient spark arrester.
  • You have a four (4) metre cleared space around the area or the operator has a knapsack or water extinguisher at hand and a shovel or rake.

 

ACTIVITY

FIRE DANGER SEASON

TOTAL FIRE BAN DAY

Can I slash stubble?

 Yes, Providing; Yes, Providing;

 

  
  • The exhaust pipe of any engine is fitted with an efficient spark arrester.
  • You have four (4) metres of cleared land immediately around the stubble to be cut, or have on hand a knapsack or water extinguisher and a shovel or rake.
  • Your local stubble slashing industry code of practice is followed.

 

ACTIVITY

FIRE DANGER SEASON

TOTAL FIRE BAN DAY

Can I use welders and other mechanical cutting tools?

 Yes. Providing you have;
  • a shield or guard of fire resistant material around the fire to prevent the escape of sparks, hot metal or slag.
     
  • the space immediately around and above the fire is cleared of all flammable material to a distance of at least four metres, or wetted sufficiently to prevent the spread of fire.
     
  • a supply of water adequate to extinguish the fire is at hand.
     
  • if any equipment is removed from the fire, the equipment is immediately placed in a fire proof receptacle.
     
  • a person who is able to control the fire is present at the site of the fire from the time it is lighted to the time it is completely extinguished.
No. Unless you have a Schedule 10 permit from your local council.

 

 Electric welders, angle grinders, mechanical cutting tools, oxy welders and other gas fired appliances can only be used outdoors when there is no Total Fire Ban in force.

Where can I get advice?

24 hour information on fire restrictions and fire bans can be accessed from the CFS Fire Bans Hotline 1300 362 361 or SA Metropolitan Fire Service Headquarters on (08) 8204 3600, or seek advice direct from the Onkaparinga City Council Fire Prevention Officer - Dennis Rainsford on 83840648.

Can I have a fire in a forest reserve?

 No fires including barbecues and campfires are permitted in forest reserves. However, under set conditions, gas barbecues may be permitted in designated areas in the Mount Lofty Ranges forests. Fore enquiries contact your local forest reserves office.

 

 No fires are permitted in forest reserves.

ACTIVITY

FIRE DANGER SEASON

TOTAL FIRE BAN DAY

Can I have a fire in a national park’s reserve?

 Strict regulations apply on the use of barbecues and all types of fires in national parks and reserves. 

Fires are only allowed in those reserves which have signs at entrances stating that fires are permitted. These fires may only be lit in designated areas especially set aside for this purpose. 

A number of national parks and wildlife reserves have total bans on the use of wood fires.

 For further information contact your national park and wildlife office.  

 No fires are permitted in national parks or wildlife reserves or forest reserves.