Fire prevention: around dwellings and fence lines

Can I clear native vegetation for fire prevention and control?

You can clear vegetation for fire prevention and control measures around dwellings and fence lines.

You can clear vegetation (except for large trees with a trunk circumference greater than 2 metres):

within 20 metres of a dwelling (dwelling means an approved building or part of a building used as a self-contained residence)
to create or maintain a fence line fuel break with a total width of no more than 5 metres.

Yes you can clear for this purpose on Heritage Agreement or Management Agreement land.

No you do not need to get approval from the Native Vegetation Council (NVC) or the Country Fire Service (CFS).

To clear large trees within 20m of a dwelling you will require CFS approval.

Self-assess that your clearing is within the parameters of this activity.
Consider if there are other practical alternatives to clearing, including options that involve no clearing, or clearing vegetation that is less significant or more degraded.
Obtain the written permission of the landowner if you are acting on behalf of the landowner.
Clear vegetation in accordance with any applicable Bushfire Management Plan or another plan for the management of bushfires approved by the NVC.

To clear vegetation to establish fuel breaks or fire tracks refer to information about fire hazard reduction.

The following regulations may also apply if you live in the River Murray Floodplain Area:

Clearing vegetation within 10 metres of an existing building; there are restrictions to clearance of limbs in the River Murray Floodplain Area – refer to information about clearing vegetation around an existing building or dwelling.
Clearing large trees within 20 metres of a dwelling; there are no restrictions in the River Murray Floodplain Area but CFS approval is required – refer to information about fire hazard reduction.
Clearing for the safety of people and property; there are no restrictions in the River Murray Floodplain Area but you must have an arborist report approved by the NVC – refer to information about clearing for the safety of persons and property.

If your proposed clearance does not meet the requirements of this regulation, or another regulation, you can submit a clearance application under Section 28 of the Native Vegetation Act 1991.