Bushfire Management General Advice
Alexandrina Council is committed to supporting residents to be bushfire ready. As the property owner, you are responsible for ensuring the preparation of your property for the fire danger season. This includes installing and maintaining fire breaks and reducing fuel loads on your property.
Properties must be prepared prior to the Fire Danger Season and maintained to a standard throughout the Fire Danger Season.
Fire danger ratings have changed, read the CFS fact sheet - Australian Fire Danger Rating System here.
Refer to the CFS website for the official list of Bushfire Safer Places in the Alexandrina Council area. Further information can be found on the Bushfire Safer Places page.
Please refer to the Bushfire Management General Advice and the Bushfire Ready (below) information brochures. This information should be used as a general guide only.
2025/2026 Fire Danger Season Dates
| Mount Lofty | 1 Dec 2025 - 30 Apr 2026 |
| Murraylands | 1 Nov 2025 - 30 Apr 2026 (early start) |
Bushfire Preparedness and Native Vegetation
The management of fuel loads, including the selective management of native vegetation, is one of many steps landowners can take to prepare their properties for the bushfire season.
You can now modify or remove all vegetation including native vegetation, within 20 metres of a prescribed building (e.g. a house or school) and within 5 metres of a prescribed structure (e.g. garden or pool shed) on your property, without approval from the Country Fire Service (CFS) or the Native Vegetation Council.
Authority to approve native vegetation clearance sits with the CFS. The CFS has a guide that provides a step-by-step process to follow when seeking to reduce, modify or remove native vegetation for bushfire safety.
For more information, please contact the CFS for advice or visit the CFS website (www.cfs.sa.gov.au)
Burning Controls
Current burning controls exist to reduce the danger of fire and to minimise the nuisance, which can be caused to other residents by smoke. Residents are encouraged to advise their neighbours whenever possible, before lighting a fire.
There are a number of conditions that must be adhered to for all types of burning:
- burning is not permitted in any street, road or laneway
- burning timber with any chemical preservatives (e.g. permapine, creosote) and burning any prohibited substances is also illegal
- the space immediately around and above the fire must be cleared of all flammable material to a distance of at least 4 metres
- a supply of water adequate to extinguish the fire is on hand at all times
- a person (over the age of 16 years) who is able to control the fire is present at the site of the fire from the time it is lit to the time it is completely extinguished.
All fires, including those in an incinerator are prohibited on a Total Fire Ban Day ($10,000 maximum penalty applies).
Frequently Asked Questions
A: There are different rules for burning depending on whether or not it is within the fire danger season. The dates for the fire danger season are:
- MOUNT LOFTY RANGES 1 December - 30 April
- MURRAYLANDS 1 November - 30 April
(Note: Subject to change, dates may change annually depending on seasonal conditions)
A: For burning information during the Fire Danger Season please see the following link for updated and current information
A: In a built-up area, charcoal is the only material allowed to be burnt. This can be done in a fire no bigger than 1 square metre. When burning, it is an offence under the Local Nuisance and Litter Control Act to cause a smoke nuisance to neighbours and other persons in the local area.
Outside of built-up areas the burning of agricultural, forestry waste or broad-acre burning may be considered as long as the relevant burning code of practice is adhered to. Codes of practice can be found at the following link
A: Areas are considered to be 'built up' if the location has been gazetted as a township. Please contact Council's Fire Prevention Officers to find out if you are within the gazetted townships.
A: Any smoke generated from a fire (in the open) or combustion heater that affects a neighbour or is likely to affect a neighbour may attract fines of $500 or significant maximum penalties. This applies to all burning, throughout the entire year.
A: Yes, only the use of charcoal, dry wood and dry plant material may be used for cooking purposes within a township. Consideration should be given to avoid any potential smoke nuisance that may be caused by the activity.
A Permit would be required on total fire ban days, this will only be considered for emergency uses.
A: It is prohibited to burn any green plant material within a 'built up' area. Outside built-up areas this practice is accepted as long as the relevant burning code of practice is adhered to.
During the fire danger season a schedule 9 or 10 permit is required.
A: Yes, as long as the size of the fire is restricted to a size adequate for the purposes of cooking. Only the use of charcoal, dry wood and dry plant material may be used but the person lighting the fire should consider potential smoke nuisance.
During fire danger season a fire is allowed provided the following criteria is met:
- A 30cm deep trench and no more than 1Sqm in area
- A 4 metre cleared space of flammable vegetation is cleared around and above the fire
- A responsible person is in attendance at all times with water and or extinguisher
The use of fires for cooking or personal comfort are not permitted on total fire ban days without a permit.
A: Yes, if you are outside of a built-up area. The fire must be contained within a properly constructed incinerator of masonry construction. It must be able to contain fire/sparks on all sides and having a capacity of less than 0.25 cubic metres. Within in an incinerator you may only burn charcoal, dry wood or other dry plant materials. This applies year-round but is not permitted during fire danger season without a permit.
The use of incinerators on total fire ban days is prohibited.
A: Yes, only the use of charcoal, dry wood and dry plant material may be used but the person lighting the fire should consider and avoid causing a potential smoke nuisance. During fire danger season these can be used provided:
- The BBQ is clear of all flammable vegetation to a distance of up to 4 metres
- A person who is able to control the fire is present at the site of the fire until it is extinguished
- An appropriate extinguisher is at hand
There is NO BURNING OR USE OF SOLID FUEL COOKERS ON TOTAL FIRE BAN DAYS.
A: No burning or use of incinerators or solid fuel cookers are allowed on total fire ban days.
Please see the following CFS website to find out "What can I do? What can't I do" for further details.
Alternatives to burning rubbish
Waste materials can be disposed of through the kerbside general waste or kerbside green organics collection service operated by FRWA for those households where collections occur. Refer to the Fleurieu Regional Waste Authority (FRWA) website for further information.
Outside of collection areas, general household refuse including gardening refuse can be deposited, for a fee, at the following depots:
Goolwa Waste and Recycling Depot
08 8555 2467
1226 Port Elliot Road, Goolwa 5214
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, Saturday 9 am to 3:30 pm.
Strathalbyn Waste and Recycling Depot
08 8555 2467
Forrest Road, Strathalbyn 5255
Opening hours: Tuesday and Thursday 9 am to 4 pm, Sunday 8 am to 4 pm.
More information about Depot locations and their price lists, visit FRWA's website.
Relevant Legislation
Burning controls are stipulated in the Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005, Environmental Protection Air Quality Policy 2016 and Local Nuisance and Litter Control Act 2016. Breaches of these Policies and Acts may result in fines.
Better air quality for all of us, know South Australia’s Laws for Burning in the Open. Tips on how to Burn Better for Good from the Environment Protection Agency (EPA).
