New and increased fines from 1 August
Published Date: 31 Jul 2014
Summary
New penalties have been introduced and existing penalties increased for a range of offences, to help protect people and properties this bush fire season.
The new and increased penalties cover a range of offences including throwing a lit cigarette from a car, which rises to $660. During a Total Fire Ban, the fine for throwing a lit cigarette rises to more than $1300.
You can now report people who throw lit cigarettes from a vehicle by calling the Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737 or completing an online report.
The new and increased penalties encourage people to use fire responsibly and prevent unnecessary fires.
Part 1 – Offences under Rural Fires Act 1997 | ||
|---|---|---|
Offence | Current Penalty | Penalty from 1 August |
s64: occupiers to extinguish fires or notify fire fighting authorities | $220 | $440 |
s66(8): requirement to comply with a bush fire hazard reduction notice | $1,100 | $2,200 |
s86(1) or (1A): notice and certain authorities required before certain fires lit | $550 | $1,100 |
s87(1): lighting fires for land clearance or fire breaks in bush fire danger period | $550 | $1,100 |
s88(1): lighting fires that are dangerous to buildings in fire districts, rural fire districts | $550 | $1,100 |
s92(2): contravening any condition of a fire permit | $550 | $1,100 |
s99(6): failing to comply with any direction given by the Minister | $1,100 | $2,200 |
s99A: discarding lighted cigarettes, etc | $330 / $660 | $660 / $1320 for an offence committed during a Total Fire Ban |
s100(2): unlawfully leaving a fire in the open air before it is thoroughly extinguished | $1,100 | $2,200 |
s132(3): fail to comply with a direction given by a police officer | $220 | $440 |
Part 2 – Offences under the Rural Fires Regulation 2013 | ||
cl19: burning to demolish buildings | $330 | $660 |
cl20 (1) or (2): burning to destroy sawmill waste material | $330 | $660 |
cl21(1): use of spark arresters | $330 | $660 |
cl22 (1) or (2): other safety requirements – agricultural / pastoral land | $330 | $660 |
cl25: lighting fires for cooking, etc. | $330 | $660 |
cl26 (1) or (2): burning garbage and refuse | $330 | $660 |
cl27 (1) or (2): lighting fires to produce charcoal, etc | $330 | $660 |
cl28(1): offence to light, use or carry tobacco product | $330 | $660 |
