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10/30 right - Government Media Release

The Brumby Labor Government has simplified the rules governing removal of vegetation around homes which will help communities in bushfire prone areas better prepare for the upcoming bushfire season.

 
Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings said the ‘10/30 right’ allowed landowners to clear any vegetation on their own property, including trees, within 10 metres of a house and any ground fuel within 30 metres of a house ‘as of right’ (without a permit).
 
The amendments to the Victorian Planning Provision also allow for targeted planned roadside burns for high-risk areas and for people to be able to collect firewood ‘as of right’ from those roadside areas for two weeks prior to the burns.
 
“The Brumby Labor Government is taking action to protect the lives and the properties of Victorians with these simple measures,” Mr Jennings said.
 
“The '10/30 right’ is part of a suite of measures to help Victorians living in areas at risk from bushfire prepare for the season ahead.  It’s about making Victoria as fire-safe and fire-ready as possible.
 
“This year Victorians have experienced the most devastating fire season in Australian history and these changes represent a commonsense response for the next fire season.
 
“There is no more important year to put your household fire plan into practice – the ‘10/30 right’ can be part of your plan to make your property ‘fire-ready’.
 
"These changes are about empowering landowners and communities to make their own decisions about preparing their property for the fire season.”
 
Under the changes, landowners are also allowed to clear all vegetation, including trees, for a combined maximum width of four metres either side of the property boundary fence provided they have the permission of the neighbouring landowner.
 
The changes apply across Victoria except in 20 Melbourne metropolitan councils where vegetation clearing will continue to be limited by existing controls.
 
Planning Minister Justin Madden welcomed the new streamlined planning provisions and said they add to the range of planning initiatives which are helping communities rebuild in bushfire affected areas.
 
“Planned burns will only apply to roadside reserves selected by Road Management Authorities in consultation with the CFA and DSE because of an identified fire risk.
 
“By amending planning provisions the Government is helping local councils and VicRoads to efficiently and sustainably reduce fuel on roadside reserves through planned burns by the CFA,” Mr Madden said.
 
 “People will also be able to remove fallen firewood ‘as of right’ from the nominated roadside road reserves for two weeks before the burns. This firewood is for personal use only and can’t be sold.”
 
Roadside burns will be advertised with a sign on the site and in local papers. 
 
Local Government Minister Richard Wynne said the Brumby Labor Government would work closely with the MAV and local governments to ensure consistency between council local laws and these new initiatives to reduce fire risk.
 
"The response of councils to bushfire recovery has been outstanding and the '10/30 right’ is another mechanism to help councils and communities in areas at risk from bushfire prepare for the season ahead," Mr Wynne said.
 
Mr Jennings said the amendments to the VPP for bushfire protection will be reassessed within 12 months once the final report from the Victorian Bushfire Royal Commission is available.
 
He said landowners should also be aware of the potential for erosion and landslip when removing vegetation, particularly trees.
 
"If you are thinking of removing native vegetation, especially trees, from your property it is important to be aware of the associated risks of landslip and erosion. The Government is working with local government to address any potential issues associated with landslip and erosion,” he said.
 
The changes will come into effect once the Victorian Planning Provisions are gazetted in the coming weeks.
 
The Brumby Labor Government will conduct a community bushfire awareness week from 11-18 October to educate residents and organisations on how to make their communities fire-ready.
 
The Victorian Government last month announced an additional $21 million over four years for fire preparedness work on public land around Melbourne’s urban fringe. This funding is on top of an additional $40 million over four years allocated in December for mosaic fuel reduction burning.