Burning off

Step 1 - Consider alternatives to burning off first

Before you burn off, please consider using one of these methods to reduce your fuel load:

• Kerbside food and garden waste bin collection
• Hard waste collection
• Waste drop-off days 
• Composting or mulching (we offer waste reduction rebates)
• Take your green waste to a local tip, transfer station or waste facility

If you decide you need to burn off:  Follow the steps below. If your burn doesn’t meet the conditions below, you can still apply for a permit to burn off if you think you have a good reason for doing so.  All landscape, windrow or stubble burns will require a permit and may require an inspection by an Authorised Officer.

Step 2 – If it’s a Total Fire Ban day or the Fire Danger Period is in place, you can’t burn off

• To check if it's a Total Fire Ban day visit the total fire ban page on the CFA website or call the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226
• To check if the Fire Danger Period is now active in Cardinia Shire visit the Fire danger period restrictions page on the CFA website 

If it’s not a Total Fire Ban Day and we’re not in the Fire Danger Period: Go to step 3

Step 3 – If it’s the month of July, you can’t burn off without a permit

Fires must not be lit between 1 and 31 July across any zone in Cardinia Shire without a permit. Consider other disposal methods (as outlined in Step 1) during July. 

Why is burning off in July prohibited?

On average, a combination of weather factors cause bushfire fuel to be wetter in July than in other months of the year. These factors include high rainfall, low temperatures and high relative humidity. The wetter your bushfire fuel is, the more smoke it tends to create and this can be a health hazard. Data used has been sourced from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM).

If it’s not the month of July: Go to step 4

Step 4 - Check which zone you’re in

Different burning-off rules apply to the Open Air Burn Zones across Cardinia Shire. You can check which zone your property is in by using the map tool below or by calling 1300 787 624.

1. Enter your property address below to check which zone you're in.
2. Once it appears, select it in the drop-down menu. 
3. Your address will then appear in a dark blue box - click the right arrow to view your zone. 

Open the burning off map in a new tab here

Once you know which zone your property is in: Go to step 5

Step 5 - Check the conditions to burn off for your zone

You can only burn off if you meet the conditions for your zone, which are outlined below.

Remember: If your burn doesn’t meet the conditions below, you can still apply for a permit to burn off if you think you have a good reason for burning off.

If you’re in the Urban and Township Zone

You cannot burn off at any time without a permit from Council – however you can still apply for a burning off permit online or by calling 1300 787 624

If you’re in the Bushland and Peri-Urban Zone 

If you’re in this zone, you can burn off if these conditions are met:

• Days you can burn off: Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
• Number of fires permitted at any one time: 2
• Minimum distance required from the edge of the fire to any buildings: 12 metres
• Minimum fire break size: 5 metres
  (This is the minimum distance required from the edge of the fire to any fence or combustible material or vegetation)
• Maximum fire size (size of the amount of material to be burned): 3 metres in any dimension ie. 3 metres long, 3 metres high and 3 metres wide.

If you meet these conditions: Go to step 6

Can’t meet these conditions?

If you have a genuine reason for burning off, you can still apply for a permit to burn off

If you’re in the Rural Zone 

If you’re in this zone, you can burn off if these conditions are met:

• Days you can burn off: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
• Number of fires permitted at any one time: 2
• Minimum distance required from the edge of the fire to any buildings: 12 metres
• Minimum fire break size: 5 metres
  (This is the minimum distance required from the edge of the fire to any fence or combustible material or vegetation)
• Maximum fire size (size of the amount of material to be burned): 3 metres in any dimension ie. 3 metres long, 3 metres high and 3 metres wide.

If you meet these conditions: Go to step 6

Can’t meet these conditions?

If you have a genuine reason for burning off, you can still apply for a permit to burn off

Step 6 - Check that your fire will meet these conditions

Burning off is only allowed if all rules below are followed:  

• You must have the landowner or public land manager’s consent to burn.
• No burning on severe weather warning days (as issued by the Bureau of Meteorology)
• No burning on days when the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Air Quality Index is ‘poor’, ‘very poor’ or ‘hazardous’.
• Burning is only permitted for the purpose of reducing bushfire fuel.
• No burning of industrial or domestic waste.
• Use of accelerants is prohibited.
• Use of incinerators is prohibited.
• You must ensure all fires are attended at all times and are able to be extinguished.
• All open air fires must be extinguished before being left unattended.
• You must comply with direction from emergency services or an authorised officer in respect of an open air fire.
• A person must not, without a permit, light a fire in a public place.
• Your open air fire must not be a danger or nuisance.
• You must take reasonable measures to advise neighbouring landowners and occupiers at least 24 hours prior to burning.

If your fire meets all these conditions: Go to step 7

If you cannot meet all these conditions: You can still apply for a burning off permit

Step 7 - Register your burn off

Before you light your fire/s, you must register your burn off with an agency called ESTA (soon to be called ‘Triple Zero Victoria’) at least 2 hours before you burn, so the CFA don't get called out. 

Registering online is quick and easy – it should only take you a couple of minutes.

Register your burn on the Fire Permits Vic website or call 1800 668 511 – do NOT call 000

Apply for a permit to burn off

• There is no cost to apply for this permit.
• Please allow up to 3 business days for processing.
• If you prefer, you can call 1300 787 624 to apply.

Apply online for a permit to burn off

Supporting documents

• Open air burning fact sheets 2022
• Open air fires local law

Questions?

Contact the Emergency Management team
Ph: 1300 787 624
Email: mail@cardinia.vic.gov.au