Residents in designated bushfire areas will have more power from Friday August 1 to clear trees and other vegetation around their homes.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Stuart Ayres, has announced the start of the 10/50 vegetation clearing entitlement laws.
“The new laws allow people in the designated areas to remove trees within 10 metres of their home and clear vegetation, other than trees, within 50 metres of their home, provided they comply with the NSW Rural Fire Service code of practice," he said.
RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons reminded residents in the designated areas to understand their obligations and check whether they were in the 10/50 vegetation clearing entitlement area before removing vegetation or trees.
“The 10/50 vegetation clearing code of practice outlines several restrictions which may be relevant including locations of cultural significance or the slope of their property,” he said.
"From tomorrow, the RFS will have an online tool available where people can check if they are in a designated 10/50 vegetation-entitlement clearing area.
‘‘People can enter their address or lot number at the RFS website to see if the new arrangements apply to them."
Code of practice copies can be obtained from the RFS or downloaded from www.rfs.nsw.gov.au
Mr Ayres also introduced higher penalties for 18 fire-related offences.
“Among the increases are penalties for littering involving cigarettes and matches, which has doubled to $660 and to $1320 when littering happens on a day of a total fire ban,” he said.
Are you happy that residents in designated bushfire areas will have more power to clear trees and vegetation from around their homes?