{"id":"wa-local:ashburton-shire-of-shire-of-ashburton-bush-fire-brigades-local-law-2023","name":"Shire of Ashburton Bush Fire Brigades Local Law 2023","slug":"shire-of-ashburton-bush-fire-brigades-local-law-2023","collection":"local_law","jurisdiction":"wa","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":437039,"registerId":"wa-local:ashburton-shire-of-shire-of-ashburton-bush-fire-brigades-local-law-2023-pdf-1775954075609","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-12","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Shire of Ashburton Bush Fire Brigades Local Law 2023","content":"4085\nISSN 2204-4264 (online)\nPERTH, TUESDAY, 19 DECEMBER 2023 No. 170 SPECIAL\nPUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY GEOFF O. LAWN, GOVERNMENT PRINTER\n© STATE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA\nLOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1995\nBUSH FIRES ACT 1954\n_________\nSHIRE OF ASHBURTON\n———————————\nBUSH FIRE BRIGADES\nLOCAL LAW 2023\n\n\n\n19 December 2023 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 4087\nLOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1995\nBUSH FIRES ACT 1954\nSHIRE OF ASHBURTON\nBUSH FIRE BRIGADES LOCAL LAW 2023\nCONTENTS\nPART 1—PRELIMINARY\n1.1 Title\n1.2 Commencement\n1.3 Repeal\n1.4 Terms Used\n1.5 Application\nPART 2—ESTABLISHMENT OF BUSH FIRE BRIGADES\nDivision 1—Establishment of a bush fire brigade\n2.1 Establishment of a bush fire brigade\n2.2 Brigade name and appointment of officers of bush fire brigade\nDivision 2—Transitional\n2.3 Existing Bush Fire Brigades\nDivision 3—Cancellation of a bush fire brigade\n2.4 Cancellation of a bush fire brigade\n2.5 New arrangement after cancellation\nPART 3—ORGANISATION AND MAINTENANCE OF BUSH FIRE BRIGADES\nDivision 1—Local government responsibility\n3.1 Responsibilities for structure and operating procedures\nDivision 2—Operating procedures\n3.2 Application of the operating procedures and local law\n3.3 Variation of procedures\n3.4 Brigades are to be supplied with act, policies and procedures\nDivision 3—Chief bush fire control officer\n3.5 Appointment and managerial role of chief bush fire control officer\n3.6 Duties of chief bush fire control officer\n3.7 Chief bush fire control officer may attend meetings\nPART 4—ADMINISTRATION OF BUSH FIRE BRIGADES\nDivision 1—Bush fire brigade membership\n4.1 Types of membership of bush fire brigade\n4.2 Brigade membership\n4.3 Termination of membership\n4.4 Suspension of membership\n4.5 Grievances and disputes\nDivision 2—Administration\n4.6 Record keeping and reporting—auditing\n\n4088 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 19 December 2023\nDivision 3—Meetings of bush fire brigades\n4.7 Conduct of brigade and committee meetings\nPART 5—EQUIPMENT OF BUSH FIRE BRIGADES\n5.1 Maintenance of equipment\nPART 6—FUNDING OF BUSH FIRE BRIGADES\n6.1 Funding under the Local government grant scheme or equivalent\n6.2 Funding under local government budget\n6.3 Management and expenditure of bush fire brigade funds\nSCHEDULE 1—OPERATING PROCEDURES\n\n19 December 2023 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 4089\nLOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1995\nBUSH FIRES ACT 1954\nSHIRE OF ASHBURTON\nBUSH FIRE BRIGADES LOCAL LAW 2023\nUnder the powers conferred by the Bush Fires Act 1954 and the Local Government Act 1995 and all\nother powers enabling it, the Council of the Shire of Ashburton resolved on the 12 December 2023 to\nmake the following local law.\nPART 1—PRELIMINARY\n1.1 Title\nThis local law may be cited as the Shire of Ashburton Bush Fire Brigades Local Law 2023.\n1.2 Commencement\nThis local law comes into operation 14 days after the date of its publication in the Government Gazette.\n1.3 Repeal\nOn the day that this local law comes into operation, the Shire of West Pilbara By-laws Relating to the\nEstablishment, Maintenance and Equipment of Bush Fire Brigades published in the Government\nGazette on 24 April 1981 is repealed.\n1.4 Terms used\n(1) In this local law, unless the context otherwise requires—\nAct means the Bush Fires Act 1954;\nAgreement means a Memorandum of Understanding or other legal instrument entered into by the\nlocal government and the FES Commissioner;\nAIIMS means Australasian Inter-Service Incident Management System;\nbrigade has the same meaning as bush fire brigade;\nbrigade area means the area determined in accordance with clause 2.2(1)(b);\nbrigade member means a fire fighting member, auxiliary member, cadet member or an honorary\nlife member of a bush fire brigade;\nbrigade officer means a person appointed by the local government to hold a position referred to\nin clause 2.2(1)(c);\nbush fire brigade has the meaning given to it by the Act;\nbush fire control officer means a person appointed to that office by the local government with\nthe powers and roles of the bush fire control officer in the Act, the Regulations and this local\nlaw;\nCEO means the Chief Executive Officer of the local government;\nChief Bush Fire Control Officer means a person appointed to that office by the local government,\nor designated by the FES Commissioner with the powers and roles of the Chief Bush Fire\nControl Officer in the Act, the Regulations and this local law;\nDepartment has the meaning given to it by the Act;\nDFES means the Department;\nDeputy Chief Bush Fire Control Officer means a person appointed to that office by the local\ngovernment with the powers and roles of the Deputy Chief Bush Fire Control Officer in the Act,\nthe Regulations and this local law;\ndistrict means the district of the local government;\nFES Commissioner has the meaning given in the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1998 section\n3;\nGrievance means an allegation by a brigade member about another brigade member about unfair\ntreatment, discrimination, harassment, victimisation, vilification and/or bullying;\nlocal government means the Shire of Ashburton;\nLocal Government Grant Scheme means the arrangements to distribute Emergency Services\nLevy funds to local governments via capital and operating grants;\nnormal brigade activities means the activities prescribed in section 35A of the Act;\nOperating Procedures means the Rules Governing the Operation of a Bush Fire Brigade set out\nin the Schedule 1, intended with this local law to govern the operation of bush fire brigades;\n\n4090 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 19 December 2023\nRegulations means Regulations made under the Act; and\nSchedule means a Schedule to this local law.\nStandard Operating Procedure means Standard Operating Procedure applied by the FES\nCommissioner as prescribed in clause 3.1(5)(a);\n(2) In this local law, unless the context otherwise requires, a reference to—\n(a) a Captain;\n(b) a Bush Fire Control Officer;\n(c) a First Lieutenant;\n(d) a Second Lieutenant;\n(e) any additional Lieutenants;\n(f) an Equipment Officer;\n(g) a Secretary; or\n(h) a Treasurer,\nmeans a brigade member holding that position in a bush fire brigade.\n1.5 Application\nThis local law applies throughout the district and applies generally to the operation of a bush fire\nbrigade of the local government and its officers and members and other persons performing functions\nunder this local law, the Regulations and the Act.\nPART 2—ESTABLISHMENT OF BUSH FIRE BRIGADES\nDivision 1—Establishment of a bush fire brigade\n2.1 Establishment of a bush fire brigade\n(1) The local government by resolution of the Council may establish a bush fire brigade for the purpose\nof carrying out normal brigade activities.\n(2) A bush fire brigade is established on the date of the local government’s decision under subclause (1).\n2.2 Brigade name and appointment of officers of bush fire brigade\n(1) On establishing a bush fire brigade under clause 2.1(1), the local government is to—\n(a) give a name to the bush fire brigade;\n(b) specify the area in which the bush fire brigade is primarily responsible for carrying out the\nnormal brigade activities (known as the brigade area); and\n(c) appoint—\n(i) a Captain that is to be the Bush Fire Control Officer for the bush fire brigade;\n(ii) a First Lieutenant;\n(iii) a Second Lieutenant;\n(iv) any additional Lieutenants;\n(v) an Equipment Officer;\n(vi) a Secretary; and\n(vii) a Treasurer.\n(2) When establishing a bush fire brigade, the local government must register the bush fire brigade in\naccordance with the Act and Regulations.\n(3) When considering the appointment of persons to the positions in subclause (1)(c), the bush fire\nbrigade and the local government are to have regard to the qualifications, competence and experience\nwhich may be required to fill each position.\n(4) A person appointed to a position in subclause (1)(c) is to be taken to be a brigade member and a\nperson first appointed to a position is to be taken to be a brigade member from the establishment of the\nbrigade.\n(5) The appointments referred to in subclause (1)(c)—\n(a) become effective at the completion of the meeting of Council at which the appointments are\nmade; and\n(b) expire at the completion of the meeting of Council at which new appointments are made\nfollowing an annual general meeting of the bush fire brigade.\n(6) If a position referred to in subclause (1)(c) becomes vacant prior to the completion of the next annual\ngeneral meeting of the brigade, then the local government is to appoint a person to fill the vacancy in\naccordance with subclause (3).\nDivision 2—Transitional\n2.3 Existing bush fire brigades\n(1) Where the local government has established a bush fire brigade prior to the commencement date,\nthen on and from the commencement date—\n\n19 December 2023 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 4091\n(a) the bush fire brigade is to be taken to be a bush fire brigade established under, and in\naccordance with this local law; and\n(b) any rules governing the operation of the bush fire brigade are to be taken to have been repealed\nand substituted with this local law, the Operating Procedures.\n(2) In this clause commencement date means the day on which this local law comes into operation.\nDivision 3—Cancellation of a bush fire brigade\n2.4 Cancellation of a bush fire brigade\nIn accordance with section 41(3) of the Act, the local government may cancel the registration of a bush\nfire brigade if it is of the opinion that the bush fire brigade is not complying with the Act, this local law,\nthe Operating Procedures or is not achieving the objectives for which it was established.\n2.5 New arrangement after cancellation\nIf a local government cancels the registration of a bush fire brigade, alternative arrangements are to\nbe made in respect of the brigade area.\nPART 3—ORGANISATION AND MAINTENANCE OF BUSH FIRE BRIGADES\nDivision 1—Local government responsibility\n3.1 Responsibilities for structure and operating procedures\n(1) The local government is to ensure that there is an appropriate structure through which the\norganisation of bush fire brigades is maintained.\n(2) The local government is to establish, implement and maintain the Operating Procedures in Schedule\n1 for the general administration and management of bush fire brigades.\n(3) The local government may make other applicable rules, policies and procedures as determined\nnecessary by the local government to support the management and administration of bush fire brigades\nand effective and safe normal brigade activities.\n(4) The local government may enter into an Agreement with the FES Commissioner to manage a bush\nfire brigade on its behalf.\n(5) Where the local government has entered into an Agreement with the FES Commissioner, the FES\nCommissioner has the following functions in relation to the administration of this local law—\n(a) To implement, maintain and apply all necessary Standard Operating Procedures for direct fire\nfighting incident response activities and normal brigade activities by bush fire brigades;\n(b) Administration of bush fire brigades in accordance with Part 4 of this local law;\n(c) The maintenance, replacement and upkeep of all bush fire brigade protective clothing,\nequipment and appliances in accordance with clause 5.1 of this local law;\n(d) Designate a DFES staff member as the Chief Bush Fire Control Officer for the local government\nfor the duration of the Agreement;\n(e) To ensure that a DFES staff member designated as the Chief Bush Fire Control Officer will be\ntrained to the competencies identified by DFES as being required to effectively manage\nincidents attended by bush fire brigade members;\n(f) To ensure that the Chief Bush Fire Control Officer is aware of the need to exercise due care in\nall decisions and actions that may affect the safety and health of brigade members, including\nbut not limited to decisions as to deployment into known hazardous areas; and\n(g) To exercise due care in giving any mobilisation and management directions and in giving\ndirections to the Chief Bush Fire Control Officer, taking into account the safety and health of\nbrigade members.\n(6) When the FES Commissioner applies Standard Operating Procedures to any bush fire brigade, if\nthere is any conflict between a provision of the Operating Procedures in Schedule 1 and the Standard\nOperating Procedures, then the provisions of the Standard Operating Procedures prevail.\n(7) The duties of a Chief Bush Fire Control Officer, designated by the FES Commissioner include to—\n(a) provide leadership to bush fire brigades;\n(b) actively promote the use of AIIMS structures during response, to bush fire control officers and\nbrigade members;\n(c) carry out all administration and management of bush fire brigades, in consultation with the\nbush fire brigade Captain;\n(d) actively monitor bush fire brigade member training and skills collectively or individually to\nensure bushfire brigade members are appropriately trained to the competencies necessary to\nsafely undertake normal brigade activities;\n(e) report on the status of bush fire brigade members, with recommendations at least once a year,\nto the local government or as otherwise directed by the CEO;\n(f) monitor bush fire brigades’ resourcing, equipment (including protective clothing) and report\nthereon with recommendations at least once a year, to the local government or as directed by\nthe CEO;\n\n4092 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 19 December 2023\n(g) prepare in consultation with the CEO or a nominee appointed by the CEO applications for\nfunding under the Local Government Grant Scheme for both operating and capital requests,\nand prepare acquittals for Local Government Grants Scheme expenditure;\n(h) liaise with the CEO or a nominee appointed by the CEO concerning fire prevention/suppression\nmatters generally and directions to be issued by the local government to Bush Fire Control\nOfficers (including those who issue permits to burn), bush fire brigades or brigade officers;\n(i) ensure that bush fire brigades are registered and that lists of brigade members are maintained;\n(j) ensure bush fire brigade appliances, ancillary operational equipment are serviced and\nmaintained in accordance with the manufacturers or other statutory requirements and are\nready and available for operational response activities; and\n(k) participate in Bush Fire Advisory Committee and bush fire brigade meetings as a non voting\nrepresentative.\nDivision 2—Operating procedures\n3.2 Application of the operating procedures and local law\n(1) In this clause the term ‘Operating Procedures’ includes Standard Operating Procedures.\n(2) The Operating Procedures in conjunction with the local law govern the operation of a bush fire\nbrigade.\n(3) A bush fire brigade and each brigade member is to comply with the Operating Procedures and the\nprovisions of this local law and to have due regard to policies and any written directions of the CEO or\nthe local government.\n3.3 Variation of procedures\n(1) The CEO, in consultation with the Chief Bush Fire Control Officer may recommend to the Council\nvariation of the Operating Procedures and their application to bush fire brigades.\n(2) The CEO is to notify all bush fire brigades of any variation to the Operating Procedures, as soon as\npracticable following formally amending this local law.\n3.4 Brigades are to be supplied with Act, policies and procedures\n(1) The CEO is to supply each bush fire brigade with a copy of the Act, the Regulations, this local law,\nany relevant policy, written direction and any other procedure or matter which may be relevant to the\nperformance of brigade functions, and any amendments, which are made thereto from time to time.\n(2) Where an Agreement is in place, the Chief Bush Fire Control Officer designated by the FES\nCommissioner is to provide all bush fire brigades and brigade members copies of the Standard\nOperating Procedures contemplated by clause 3.1(5)(a).\nDivision 3—Chief bush fire control officer\n3.5 Appointment and managerial role of chief bush fire control officer\n(1) The local government is to appoint a person as Chief Bush Fire Control Officer if at any time the\nFES Commissioner under an agreement has not designated a DFES staff member as the Chief Bush\nFire Control Officer under clause 3.1(5).\n(2) The local government is not to appoint a Chief Bush Fire Control Officer if the FES Commissioner\nhas designated a DFES staff member as Chief Bush Fire Control Officer as provided in clause 3.1(5),\nand if a Chief Bush Fire Control Officer has been appointed by the Shire at the time the DFES\nCommissioner designates a DFES staff member as Chief Bush Fire Control Officer, then the local\ngovernment’s appointment terminates from that time.\n(3) Subject to any direction of the local government, or of the FES Commissioner, the Chief Bush Fire\nControl Officer has primary managerial responsibility for the organisation and maintenance of bush\nfire brigades.\n3.6 Duties of chief bush fire control officer\n(1) The duties of the Chief Bush Fire Control Officer appointed by the local government include to—\n(a) provide leadership to bush fire brigades and brigade members;\n(b) actively promote the use of AIIMS structures during response, to bush fire control officers and\nbrigade members;\n(c) monitor bush fire brigades’ resourcing, equipment (including protective clothing) and report\nthereon with recommendations at least once a year, to the local government or as otherwise\ndirected by the CEO;\n(d) actively monitor bush fire brigade member training and skills collectively or individually to\nensure safe normal brigade activities and report thereon with recommendations at least once\na year, to the local government or as directed by the CEO;\n(e) liaise with the local government concerning fire prevention/suppression matters generally and\ndirections to be issued by the local government to Bush Fire Control Officers (including those\nwho issue permits to burn), bush fire brigades or brigade officers; and\n(f) ensure that bush fire brigades are registered and that lists of brigade members are maintained.\n(2) In this clause Chief Bush Fire Control Officer includes the Deputy Chief Bush Fire Control\nOfficer/s appointed by the local government.\n\n19 December 2023 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 4093\n3.7 Chief bush fire control officer may attend meetings\nIf the Chief Bush Fire Control Officer is designated by the FES Commissioner attendance at any\nmeeting of a bush fire brigade, or the Committee is on a non voting basis to provide guidance and advice.\nPART 4—ADMINISTRATION OF BUSH FIRE BRIGADES\nDivision 1—Bush fire brigade membership\n4.1 Types of membership of bush fire brigade\nThe types of membership of a bush fire brigade are defined in the Operating Procedures.\n4.2 Brigade membership\nApplications for membership, including registration of bush fire brigade members, is to be in accordance\nwith the Operating Procedures.\n4.3 Termination of membership\nThe termination of the membership of a brigade member is dealt with in the Operating Procedures.\n4.4 Suspension of membership\nThe suspension of membership of a brigade member is dealt with in the Operating Procedures.\n4.5 Grievances and disputes\nGrievances must be managed in accordance with the Operating Procedures.\nDivision 2—Administration\n4.6 Record keeping and reporting—auditing\n(1) The local government must maintain records containing brigade member’s details, brigade assets,\nvehicles and equipment and information and records of all matters relating to the operations,\nmanagement, training of the brigade members, and the authorisation of the brigade officers, members\nand of the bush fire brigade.\n(2) No later than 30 May in each year, the bush fire brigade is to provide to the CEO the following\nreports for the preceding financial year—\n(a) a list of current bush fire brigade member’s details including commencement dates;\n(b) a list of training successfully completed by bush fire brigade members;\n(c) an equipment/asset register detailing the nature, quantity and quality of all protective clothing,\nequipment and appliances of the bush fire brigade provided under the Local Government Grant\nScheme;\n(d) an equipment/asset register detailing the nature and quantity of all equipment of the bush fire\nbrigade procured with bush fire brigade funds;\n(e) an independently audited statement of brigade finances; and\n(f) a gift/donations register.\n(3) Any other record keeping and reporting requirements for bush fire brigades must be in accordance\nwith the Operating Procedures.\nDivision 3—Meetings of bush fire brigades\n4.7 Conduct of brigade and committee meetings\n(1) All bush fire brigade and committee meetings are to be conducted in accordance with the Operating\nProcedures.\n(2) A bush fire brigade meeting means—\n(a) an annual general meeting of a bush fire brigade to be held in May of each year;\n(b) a general meeting of a bush fire brigade; or\n(c) a special meeting of a bush fire brigade.\nPART 5—EQUIPMENT OF BUSH FIRE BRIGADES\n5.1 Maintenance of equipment\n(1) The maintenance, replacement and upkeep of all bush fire brigade protective clothing, equipment\nand appliances is to be to a standard that ensures operational readiness for normal brigade activities.\n(2) The CEO and Chief Bush Fire Control Officer designated by the FES Commissioner where an\nAgreement is in effect must document maintenance standards.\nPART 6—FUNDING OF BUSH FIRE BRIGADES\n6.1 Funding under the local government grant scheme or equivalent\n(1) Requests by the local government for funding under the Local Government Grant Scheme or its\nequivalent must be in accordance with the Local Government Grant Scheme Manual.\n\n4094 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 19 December 2023\n(2) Expenditure of funds under the Local Government Grant Scheme or its equivalent must be managed\nby the local government in accordance with the Local Government Grant Scheme Manual and the\nfinancial responsibilities of the local government.\n6.2 Funding under local government budget\n(1) Where an item is not eligible or is not otherwise able to be funded through the Local Government\nGrant Scheme or its equivalent a bush fire brigade through a resolution of the bush fire brigade\ncommittee, may submit a request to the local government for funding from the local government budget.\n(2) A request for funding under clause (1) must be received in writing no later than 31 January for\nconsideration in the forthcoming local government budget for the following financial year.\n(3) The local government may approve or refuse an application for funding made under clause (1)\ndepending upon the assessment of budget priorities for the financial year in question.\n6.3 Management and expenditure of bush fire brigade funds\nA bush fire brigade must not expend its own funds on any protective clothing, equipment, appliances\nor land or property occupied, whether eligible or not under the Local Government Grant Scheme or its\nequivalent, unless the written consent of the CEO is obtained.\nSCHEDULE 1—OPERATING PROCEDURES (Clause 3.1)\nThe Operating Procedures are comprised of the following Rules.\nPART 1– PRELIMINARY\n1.1 Interpretation\n(1) In these Rules, unless the context otherwise requires, where a term is used in these Rules and is\ndefined in the local law, the Act or the Regulations, then the term is to be taken to have the meaning\nassigned to it in the local law, the Act or the Regulations, as the case may be. In the case of conflict, the\norder of priority should be the Act, the Regulations and the Local Law.\n(2) In these Rules, unless the context otherwise requires—\nsimple majority means a majority of more than 50% of—\n(a) brigade members of a bush fire brigade, present in person; if the majority is required at\na meeting of the bush fire brigade; or\n(b) brigade officers of the bush fire brigade, present in person, if the majority is required at\na meeting of the committee.\nabsolute majority means a majority of more than 50% of the number of—\n(a) brigade members of the bush fire brigade, whether in attendance or not, if the absolute\nmajority is required at a meeting of the brigade; or\n(b) brigade officers of the bush fire brigade, whether in attendance at the meeting or not, if\nthe majority is required at a meeting of the Committee.\nCommittee means the Committee of the bush fire brigade.\n(3) Subject to these Rules, where a decision is to be made by the bush fire brigade, then the decision\nmay be made by a resolution passed by a simple majority of the brigade members who are present in\nperson at the meeting.\n(4) Subject to these Rules, where a decision is to be made by the Committee, then the decision may be\nmade by a resolution passed by a simple majority of the brigade officers who are present in person at\nthe meeting.\n1.2 Types of membership of bush fire brigade\nThe membership of a bush fire brigade consists of the following—\n(a) fire fighting members;\n(b) auxiliary members;\n(c) cadet members; and\n(d) honorary life members.\n1.3 Fire fighting members\nFire fighting members are those persons being at least 16 years of age who undertake all normal bush\nfire brigade activities.\n1.4 Auxiliary members\nAuxiliary members are persons willing to supply free vehicular transport for fire fighting members or\nfire fighting equipment, or who are prepared to render other assistance required by the bush fire\nbrigade.\n1.5 Cadet members\nCadet members are—\n(a) to be aged 11 to 15 years;\n(b) to be admitted to membership only with the consent of their parent or guardian;\n\n19 December 2023 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 4095\n(c) admitted for the purpose of training and are not to attend or be in attendance at an uncontrolled\nfire or other emergency incident (operational response incidents);\n(d) to be supervised by a fire fighting member (with at least 3 years continuous bush fire brigade\nservice), when undertaking normal brigade activities, as defined by paragraphs (c), (d), (e), (f)\nand (g) of section 35A of the Act;\n(e) ineligible to vote at meetings;\n(f) not to be assigned a rank.\n1.6 Honorary life member\n(1) The bush fire brigade may by a simple majority resolution appoint a person as an honorary life\nmember in recognition of services by that person to the bush fire brigade.\n(2) Membership fees if levied by the bush fire brigade are not payable by an honorary life member.\nPART 2—OBJECTIVES AND MEMBERSHIP OF A BUSH FIRE BRIGADE\n2.1 Objectives of a brigade\nThe objectives of the bush fire brigade are to carry out—\n(a) normal brigade activities; and\n(b) the functions of the bush fire brigade as specified in the Act, the Regulations, and this local\nlaw.\n2.2 Applications for membership\n(1) Applications for membership of a bush fire brigade must—\n(a) be made in the form as determined by the local government from time to time;\n(b) be submitted to the Secretary of the relevant bush fire brigade, who must forward a copy of the\napplication to the Captain within one week of the application being submitted; and\n(c) be determined by the Committee of the bush fire brigade, having regard to any advice received\nfrom the Captain or the Chief Bush Fire Control Officer in relation to the application.\n2.3 Conditions of membership\n(1) Bush fire brigade members must comply with the Act, Regulations, the Operating Procedures and\nthe Department’s Standard Operating Procedures in conducting normal brigade or response activities.\n(2) In relation to any type of membership, as described in Part 4 of these Rules, a bush fire brigade may\nestablish internal policies or procedures to—\n(a) the qualifications required;\n(b) a requirement to serve a probationary period; and\n(c) procedures to be employed by the Committee, in assessing an application for membership, and\nthe Committee is to determine applications for membership in accordance with any such policy.\n2.4 Decision on application for membership\n(1) Subject to clause 2.2, the Committee may—\n(a) approve an application for membership unconditionally or subject to any conditions; or\n(b) refuse to approve an application for membership.\n(2) If the Committee refuses to approve an application for membership, it is to give written notice of the\nrefusal, as soon as practicable after the decision is made, to the applicant and advise the applicant that\nhe or she has the right to object to the local government.\n2.5 Department to be notified of registrations\nIf any application for membership to a bush fire brigade is approved, the local government is to supply\ndetails of the approved application to the Department within 14 days of a person being admitted to\nmembership in the form required by the Department from time to time.\n2.6 Suspension of membership\n(1) Membership of a bush fire brigade may be suspended at any time if, in the opinion of the CEO, or\nthe Committee, following consultation with the Chief Bush Fire Control Officer, the circumstances\nwarrant suspending the member.\n(2) Without limiting the generality of subclause (1), a member of a bush fire brigade may be suspended\nin the event the member—\n(a) contravenes the Act, the Regulations, the Operating Procedures, this local law, bush fire\nbrigade policies or the Standard Operating Procedures;\n(b) displays conduct detrimental to the best interests of the bush fire brigade, the local government\nor the Department;\n(c) has performed an unsafe act that jeopardises the safety of the member or others;\n(d) has been charged by the Police for a criminal offence and is awaiting court proceedings;\n(e) has acted in such a manner as to cause harm or distress to other brigade members;\n(f) has failed to attend 3 or more consecutive meetings of the bush fire brigade within a period of\n12 months, without providing prior notice of non attendance; or\n\n4096 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 19 December 2023\n(g) has failed to attend 3 or more structured local training events facilitated by the bush fire\nbrigade.\n(3) The suspended member may be excluded immediately from all normal brigade activities or any\nspecified bush fire brigade duties and activities.\n(4) The brigade Captain or Chief Bush Fire Control Officer must notify the member in writing, advising\nof the suspension period and reasons for suspension.\n(5) The period of suspension may be up to a maximum of 3 consecutive months and must be determined\nby the Committee, in consultation with the Chief Bush Fire Control Officer.\n(6) Upon the expiry of the period of suspension the Committee, following consultation with the Chief\nBush Fire Control Officer, may—\n(a) extend the period of suspension;\n(b) terminate the membership; or\n(c) reinstate the membership.\n2.7 Termination of membership\n(1) Membership of the brigade terminates if the member—\n(a) dies;\n(b) gives written notice of resignation to the Secretary;\n(c) is dismissed by a decision of the Committee, following consultation with the Chief Bush Fire\nControl Officer, by reason of—\n(i) failing to comply with the aims and objectives of the bush fire brigade;\n(ii) failing to comply with the Act, the Regulations, the Operating Procedures, this local law,\nor any the bush fire brigade or local government policies or local government written\ndirections relating to bush fire brigades;\n(iii) displaying conduct detrimental to the general interests of the bush fire brigade, the local\ngovernment or the Department;\n(iv) being convicted of a criminal offence that in the opinion of the Committee in consultation\nwith the Chief Bush Fire Control Officer would reasonably ordinarily exclude the\nmember from joining a brigade;\n(v) acting in such a manner as to cause harm or distress to other brigade members by their\nactivities or actions; or\n(d) ceases to be a member or is taken to have resigned under subclause (2).\n(2) A brigade member who, in the opinion of the Committee or the Chief Bush Fire Control Officer, has\nnot adequately fulfilled his or her role within the bush fire brigade, and has not responded to any\nwritten correspondence requesting that he or she state their intentions, within 21 days, will be deemed\nto have resigned from the bush fire brigade.\n(3) Where a membership is terminated, all property owned by the bush fire brigade; the local\ngovernment or the Department that is held by or in the possession of the person whose membership\nhas been terminated, must be returned to the bush fire brigade.\n2.8 Member has right of defence\nA bush fire brigade member is not to be dismissed under clause 2.7(1)(c) or have his or her membership\nterminated under clauses 2.6(6)(b), without being given the opportunity to meet with the Committee\nand the Chief Bush Fire Control Officer and respond to any allegations which might give grounds for\ndismissal or termination of membership, and unless the response has been duly considered.\n2.9 Existing liabilities to continue\nThe resignation, or dismissal of a member under clause 2.7 or the suspension or termination of a\nmember under clause 2.6, does not affect any liability of the bush fire brigade member arising prior to\nthe date of resignation, dismissal, suspension or termination as the case may be.\n2.10 Objection rights\n(1) A person whose—\n(a) application for membership is refused under clause 2.4(1)(b);\n(b) membership is terminated under clauses 2.7(1)(c)(iv) or clause 2.6(6)(b); or\n(c) membership is suspended under clause 2.6(1) or clause 2.6(2);\nhas a right of objection to the CEO.\n(2) Where a person lodges an objection to the CEO pursuant to subclause (1), the CEO, or another\nperson nominated in writing by the CEO, may dispose of the objection by—\n(a) dismissing the objection;\n(b) varying the decision objected to; or\n(c) revoking the decision objected to, with or without substituting for it another decision; or\n(d) referring the matter, with or without directions, for another decision by the Committee.\n(3) No further right of review is available under this local law in respect of a decision made by CEO\npursuant to subclause (2).\n\n19 December 2023 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 4097\nPART 3—FUNCTIONS OF BRIGADE OFFICERS\n3.1 Chain of command during fire fighting activities\nSubject to the Act, the Regulations, the command hierarchy to apply during fire fighting response\nactivities is—\n(a) Chief Bush Fire Control Officer;\n(b) Deputy Chief Bush Fire Control Officer;\n(c) Bush fire control officers, in accordance with seniority;\n(d) Captain;\n(e) Lieutenants, in accordance with seniority;\n(f) Fire fighter.\nThe most senior in attendance takes command and control operationally. Nothing precludes command\nand control being undertaken by a person of lesser rank by mutual agreement or by an employee of the\nDepartment, subject to any formal documented hand over requirements.\n3.2 Captain\n(1) The Captain is the most senior operational brigade member of the brigade.\n(2) Subject to subclause (3) below, the Captain is to preside at all meetings.\n(3) In the absence of the Captain, the meeting is to be presided by the next senior operational person.\n(4) The Captain is responsible for the efficient administration of the brigade.\n3.3 Lieutenant\n(1) A Lieutenants role is to—\n(a) provide support to the Captain and assist with the management of the brigade;\n(b) effectively guide, manage and mentor fire fighting members during direct fire fighting incident\nresponse activities and normal brigade activities;\n(c) maintain a personal incident diary with a record of events that occur during all incidents\nattended;\n(d) in the absence of the Captain or to support the Captain, assist with or conduct brigade briefings\nand post incident analysis of any incident involving direct fire fighting response activities; and\n(e) actively support other appointed Lieutenants.\n3.4 Secretary\nThe Secretary is to—\n(a) be in attendance at all meetings and keep accurate minutes of the proceedings of the brigade,\nwhich must be open for inspection by brigade members at any reasonable time;\n(b) answer all correspondence or direct it appropriately and keep a record of the same;\n(c) prepare and send out all necessary notices of meetings;\n(d) receive donations and monies on behalf of the brigade, and remit them to the Treasurer upon\nreceipt;\n(e) maintain a register of all current brigade members which includes each brigade member’s\ncontact details and type of membership; and\n(f) provide the local government a copy of the minutes of all Committee meetings, within 14 days.\n3.5 Treasurer\nThe Treasurer is to—\n(a) receive donations and monies from the Secretary and deposit all monies to the credit of the\nbrigade’s bank account;\n(b) pay accounts as authorised by the Committee;\n(c) keep a record of all monies received and payments made, maintain the accounts and prepare\nthe balance sheet for each financial year;\n(d) be the custodian of all monies of the brigade; and\n(e) report on the financial position at meetings of the brigade and or Committee.\n3.6 Equipment Officer\nThe Equipment Officer is responsible for the inspection and maintenance of all equipment and\nappliances, as directed by the brigade Captain.\n3.7 Storage of equipment\nThe Equipment Officer may store part or all of the equipment of the brigade at a place approved by the\nChief Bush Fire Control Officer, following consultation with the local government.\nPART 4—COMMITTEE\n4.1 Management of a bush fire brigade\n(1) Subject to the provisions of this local law, the administration and management of the affairs of a\nbush fire brigade are vested in the Committee.\n\n4098 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 19 December 2023\n(2) Without limiting the generality of subclause (1), the Committee of a bush brigade is to have the\nfollowing functions—\n(a) to consider matters relating to the administration and affairs of the bush fire brigade;\n(b) to recommend to the local government amendments to this local law;\n(c) to approve the annual budget for the brigade and present it at the annual general meeting of\nthe bush fire brigade;\n(d) to propose a motion for consideration at any meeting of the bush fire brigade;\n(e) to recommend to the local government equipment which needs to be supplied by the local\ngovernment to the bush fire brigade;\n(f) to invest or place on deposit any of the funds of the bush fire brigade not immediately required\nto perform the normal brigade activities;\n(g) to delegate to a person, as from time to time thought fit, any functions (being less than the total\nfunctions of the Committee) on any conditions it thinks fit;\n(h) to do all things necessary or convenient in order to perform any of its functions and to secure\nthe performance of the normal brigade activities by the bush fire brigade; and\n(i) deal with membership applications, terminations, suspensions, grievances, disputes and\ndisciplinary matters.\n4.2 Membership of committee\n(1) The Committee of the bush fire brigade is to consist of the Captain, First Lieutenant, Secretary,\nTreasurer and 2 other brigade members. The Committee of a bush fire brigade must not exceed a total\nof 6 brigade members.\n(2) The Committee members are to—\n(a) be elected at the annual general meeting of the bush fire brigade;\n(b) hold office until the next annual general meeting; and\n(c) be eligible for re-election at the next annual general meeting.\n4.3 Termination of committee membership\n(1) Any Committee member may be removed from office by a majority decision of the brigade members\npresent in person at a special meeting called for such a purpose.\n(2) If a position becomes vacant prior to the commencement of the annual general meeting, then the\nbush fire brigade is to elect a person to fill the vacancy at a special meeting within 4 weeks of the\nvacancy occurring.\n(3) The local government is to be advised of the removal of a committee member from office pursuant\nto subclause (1), or the election of a person to fill a vacancy pursuant to subclause (2) within 7 days.\nPART 5—MEETINGS OF THE BUSH FIRE BRIGADE\n5.1 General meetings\n(1) General meetings should be held at least quarterly. The Secretary must give at least 7 days’ notice\nto all brigade members and the Chief Bush Fire Control Officer and Deputy Chief Bush Fire Control\nOfficer.\n(2) In a notice given under subclause (1), the Secretary is to specify the business which is to be conducted\nat the meeting by way of an agenda.\n5.2 Special meetings\n(1) The Secretary after consultation with the Captain is to call a special meeting when 3 or more brigade\nmembers request one in writing or where this local law requires such a meeting.\n(2) At least 14 days’ notice of a special meeting is to be given by the Secretary to all brigade members\nand the Chief Bush Fire Control Officer and Deputy Chief Bush Fire Control Officer.\n(3) In a notice given under subclause (2), the Secretary is to specify the business which is to be conducted\nat the meeting.\n(4) No business is to be conducted at a special meeting beyond that specified in the notice given under\nsubclause (3) in relation to that meeting.\n5.3 Annual general meeting\n(1) At least 14 days’ notice of the annual general meeting is to be given by the Secretary to all brigade\nmembers and the Chief Bush Fire Control Officer and Deputy Chief Bush Fire Control Officer.\n(2) At the annual general meeting, the bush fire brigade is to—\n(a) elect the brigade officers from among the brigade members;\n(b) consider the Captain’s report on the year’s activities;\n(c) adopt the annual financial statements;\n(d) deal with any general business arising from the previous annual general meeting; and\n(e) deal with any business approved by the Captain.\n\n19 December 2023 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 4099\n5.4 Notice of a meeting\n(1) Notices of meetings of the bush fire brigade are to be in writing and may be—\n(a) sent by ordinary post to the registered address of each brigade member;\n(b) given in person to each brigade member;\n(c) by email; or\n(d) by notice published in a newspaper circulating in the area of the bush fire brigade.\n(2) The notice of a meeting must—\n(a) set out the date, time, and place of the meeting; and\n(b) set out particulars of motions of which notice has been given; and in the case of special\nmeetings, set out particulars of the business to be transacted.\n(3) Any accidental omission to give notice of a meeting to, or non-receipt by a person entitled to receive\nsuch notice, is not to invalidate the meeting, the subject of notice or any resolutions passed at the\nmeeting.\n(4) If a meeting under clauses 5.1, 5.2 or 5.3 of these Rules ceases to have a quorum at any time, the\npresiding member is to immediately—\n(a) close the meeting; or\n(b) adjourn the meeting for not more than 30 minutes after which the meeting is to be closed if a\nquorum is not achieved within that time.\n5.5 Quorum\n(1) Except for meetings of the Committee, the quorum for a meeting of a bush fire brigade is—\n(a) Where the brigade membership is 3 persons or less,100% of members.\n(b) Where brigade membership is 4 or more persons, but less than 8 persons, 3 members.\n(c) Where brigade membership is 8 persons or more, but less than 12 persons, 4 members.\n(d) Where brigade membership is 12 persons or more, but less than 20 persons, 5 members.\n(e) Where membership is 20 or more persons, 25% of members.\n(2) No business is to be transacted at a meeting of the bush fire brigade unless a quorum of brigade\nmembers is present in person.\n(3) Should a quorum not be present, all matters requiring urgent decision are to be dealt with at a\nspecial meeting of the bush fire brigade.\n(4) If a meeting ceases to have a quorum at any time, the presiding member is too immediately—\n(a) close the meeting; or\n(b) adjourn the meeting for not more than 30 minutes after which the meeting is to be closed if a\nquorum is not achieved within that time.\n5.6 Voting\n(1) Each brigade member is to have one vote, however in the event of an equality of votes, the Captain\n(or person presiding) may exercise a casting vote.\n(2) Unless otherwise stated in these Rules, where a decision is to be made by the bush fire brigade, then\nthe decision may be made by a resolution passed by a majority of the brigade members present in person\nat the meeting.\nPART 6—MEETINGS OF COMMITTEE\n6.1 Meetings of Committee\n(1) The Committee is to meet for the despatch of business, adjourn and otherwise regulate its meeting\nas it thinks fit.\n(2) The Captain or the Secretary, may convene a meeting of the Committee at any time.\n(3) Where a Committee member cannot be contacted, a notice of meeting of the Committee is to be in\nwriting and may be—\n(a) sent by ordinary post to the registered address of the Committee member; or\n(b) sent by email,\n7 days prior to the meeting.\n(4) Where the business is of an urgent nature and subclause (3) is not reasonable, upon request from\nthe Captain or Secretary, the Chief Bush Fire Control Officer will determine if the meeting of the\nCommittee is to be held or not.\n6.2 Quorum of the Committee\n(1) The quorum for a Committee meeting is 5 members of the Committee, present in person.\n(2) No business is to be transacted at a meeting of the Committee without a quorum of Committee\nmembers. Subject to these Rules, where a decision is to be made by the Committee, then the decision\nis to be made by a resolution passed by a simple majority of Committee members present, in person.\n(3) The minutes of any meeting of the Committee must be presented to the next general meeting of the\nbush fire brigade.\n\n4100 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 19 December 2023\n6.3 Voting\nEach committee member is to have one vote, however in the case of an equality of votes, the Captain\n(or person presiding) may exercise an additional casting vote.\nPART 7—GENERAL ADMINISTRATION MATTERS\n7.1 Funds\nThe funds of a bush fire brigade are to be used solely for the purpose of promoting the objectives of the\nbush fire brigade.\n7.2 Financial year\nThe financial year of a bush fire brigade is to commence on 1 May and is to end on 30 April of the\nfollowing year.\n7.3 Banking\n(1) The funds of a bush fire brigade are to be placed in the bush fire brigade’s bank account and are to\nbe drawn on only by—\n(a) cheques signed jointly by any 2, of the Captain, Secretary or Treasurer; or\n(b) authorised use of electronic banking by the Secretary or Treasurer in accordance with sub-\nclause (2).\n(2) For the purposes of subclause (1)(b), any 2 of the Captain, Secretary or Treasurer may authorise in\nwriting the use of electronic banking to draw on the funds of a bush fire brigade.\n7.4 Disclosure of interests\n(1) A brigade member must disclose any financial interest (whether direct or indirect) he or she may\nhave in any matter being considered at a Committee or other bush fire brigade meeting.\n(2) If a financial interest has been disclosed under subclause (1), then the brigade member must not\nvote on that matter.\nPART 8—GRIEVANCE AND DISPUTES RESOLUTION\n8.1 Grievance and dispute resolution process\n(1) Any grievance or dispute between bush fire brigade members must be reported to the Captain in\nwriting in the first instance. Where the Captain is directly involved in the subject of a particular\ngrievance or dispute, the report on the matter must be in writing to the Chief Bush Fire Control Officer.\n(2) The Captain in consultation with the Chief Bush Fire Control Officer will arrange to formally\ninterview the parties involved to gather the facts and investigate. If the Captain or the Chief Bush Fire\nControl Officer are parties associated with a particular grievance or dispute they will together, identify\ntwo other independent brigade officers to carry out the investigation.\n(3) Following investigation, the Captain in consultation with the Chief Bush Fire Control Officer or the\ntwo other brigade officers undertaking the investigation as the case may be, are to prepare and present\na written report to the Committee.\n(4) The Committee is to make a determination on the allegation made using the principles of natural\njustice and either substantiate the claim or reject the claim.\n(5) If the claim is substantiated the Committee may at its absolute discretion decide the appropriate\ncourse of action, which may include termination, suspension, mediation or further training.\n(6) Where a bush fire brigade membership is suspended or termination the objection rights in clause\n2.10 apply.\n(7) All outcomes from any grievance or disputes lodged are to be in writing.\nPART 9—CONDUCT\n9.1 Personal behaviour\n(1) Bush fire brigade members must—\n(a) act, and be seen to act, properly and professionally at all times, and in accordance with the\nrequirements of the Act, Regulations, this local law and the Departments Standard Operating\nProcedures.\n(b) undertake their duties and functions impartially and in the best interests of the bush fire\nbrigade and the local government, uninfluenced by fear or favour.\n(c) always act in good faith and observe the highest standards of honesty and integrity and avoid\nconduct which might suggest any departure from these standards.\n(d) spread no rumours, participate in gossip, or make allegations which are improper, false, or\nderogatory.\n(e) never use information obtained in the course of their brigade membership to the detriment of\na bush fire brigade or the local government.\n(f) actively support the broad principles of diversity and inclusion and refrain from any form of\nconduct or behaviour that could be deemed to be bullying or harassment.\n\n19 December 2023 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 4101\n(g) not use social media for any bush fire brigade purposes that could be considered negative and\nnot in the best interests of the bush fire brigade.\n(h) follow lawfully directions and instructions.\n9.2 Health and safety\nWork health and safety is important. Brigade members must actively support their own safety and the\nsafety of others when undertaking normal brigade activities.\nAlways wear protective clothing, if and where required, and never put yourself or anyone else in harm’s\nway. Ensure you are trained in the use appliances and equipment and never undertake tasks you are\nassigned, operationally or otherwise, unless you hold the appropriate recognised training accreditation.\nAll work place hazards, and any incident are to be reported through the chain of command immediately.\n9.3 Shire resources\n(1) All equipment and appliances of bush fire brigades, including land and building occupied, (Shire\nresources) are owned by the local government.\n(2) Bush fire brigade members will—\n(a) be honest in their use of Shire resources and must not misuse them or permit their misuse (or\nthe appearance of misuse) by any other person or body;\n(b) use Shire resources entrusted to them effectively, economically, and only in the course of their\nduties;\n(c) ensure all checks are undertaken of appliance prior to use to ensure safe operability; and\n(d) not use any Shire resource for any private purpose.\n9.4 Working with children\nWhere a bush fire brigade has cadet members or any other member under the age of 18 years, all\nbrigade members must hold a valid Working with Children check.\n9.5 Reporting suspected unethical, fraudulent, dishonest, illegal or corrupt behaviour\nBush fire brigade members must report suspected unethical, fraudulent, dishonest, illegal, or corrupt\nbehaviour within the bush fire brigade structure to the nominated local government public information\ndisclosure (PID) officer. A contact list of PID officer can be found on the Public Sector Commissions\nwebsite.\n————\nDated 13 December 2023.\nThe Common Seal of the Shire of Ashburton was affixed by authority of a resolution of the Council in\nthe presence of—\nAUDRA R SMITH, Shire President.\nKENN DONOHOE, Chief Executive Officer.\n———————————","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation appears consistent with its original intent to establish and regulate bush fire brigades. It modernises the 1981 by-laws but stays within the scope of brigade establishment, maintenance, and equipment as authorised by the Bush Fires Act 1954 and Local Government Act 1995."},"complexity_factors":["Dual management structure (Shire-managed vs DFES-managed) with different rules applying depending on which model is active (clauses 3.1, 3.5, 3.6)","Extensive cross-referencing to external legislation (Bush Fires Act 1954, Local Government Act 1995, Fire and Emergency Services Act 1998) and external documents (Local Government Grant Scheme Manual, Standard Operating Procedures)","Nested conditional logic in membership termination/suspension clauses with multiple grounds and procedural safeguards (clauses 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.10 in Schedule 1)","Detailed procedural requirements for meetings including variable quorum calculations based on membership size (clause 5.5 in Schedule 1)","27 defined terms in section 1.4 plus additional definitions in Schedule 1","Hierarchy of documents established for conflict resolution (Act > Regulations > Local Law > Operating Procedures > Standard Operating Procedures) in clause 1.1(1) of Schedule 1 and clause 3.1(6)"],"plain_english_summary":"The Shire of Ashburton local law creates and governs volunteer bush fire brigades, setting how they’re formed, managed (by the Shire or under DFES agreement), staffed, equipped and funded. It also sets membership, safety and conduct expectations, accountability and dispute procedures.\n\nIt affects volunteer firefighters, the Shire, DFES if involved, and local residents who rely on brigade protection—modernising governance to ensure organised, well‑equipped, and safer bushfire response."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The local law expressly repeals the Shire of West Pilbara 1981 by-laws (cl.1.3) and replaces them with a more prescriptive governance and compliance regime. It broadens scope by authorising the Shire to enter an Agreement allowing the FES Commissioner/DFES to administer brigades and apply Standard Operating Procedures that prevail over local rules (cl.3.1(4)–(6)). It also increases reporting, auditing and financial controls on brigades (cl.4.6; cl.6.1–6.3) and limits brigade autonomy over equipment purchases (cl.6.3)."},"complexity_factors":["Interplay with primary statutes (Bush Fires Act 1954) and Regulations; multiple cross-references and priority rules (see cl.1.4, Schedule 1.1(1)).","Dual administrative routes: local government control versus DFES/FES Commissioner administration by Agreement, with different functions allocated (cl.3.1(4)–(5)).","Supremacy of Standard Operating Procedures over local Operating Procedures when applied, creating hierarchical conflict resolution (cl.3.1(6)).","Multiple decision-makers and delegated discretions (Council establishes brigades and appoints officers (cl.2.1–2.2); CEO may vary procedures and exercise consent powers (cl.3.3, cl.6.3); Committee handles internal administration (Schedule Part 4)).","Detailed membership, discipline, suspension and objection processes with limited internal review rights (cl.2.6–2.10; Schedule Part 2).","Prescriptive reporting, record-keeping and independent audit requirements with fixed deadlines (cl.4.6(2)).","Financial constraints and controls: LGGS funding rules, council budget request deadlines, and prohibition on brigade-funded purchases without CEO consent (cl.6.1–6.3).","Operational command and safety obligations (AIIMS promotion, training monitoring, maintenance standards) linked to personnel competency and incident management (cl.3.1(7), cl.3.6, cl.5.1).","Complex meeting, quorum and voting rules across brigade and committee levels with variable thresholds (Schedule Parts 5–6).","Multiple overlapping accountability channels (Council, CEO, Chief Bush Fire Control Officer, Committee, DFES) increasing coordination and compliance burdens."],"plain_english_summary":"This local law replaces the Shire’s 1981 by-laws and creates a detailed governance framework for Shire of Ashburton bush fire brigades. It sets how brigades are formed and named, who may run them, how equipment is maintained, how funds are obtained and spent, and the reporting, meeting and disciplinary rules that members must follow. It affects brigade members and officers, the Shire (Council and CEO), and permits the FES Commissioner/DFES to administer brigades under agreement; funding is via the Local Government Grant Scheme and council budgets."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/shire-of-ashburton-bush-fire-brigades-local-law-2023","history":"/api/acts/shire-of-ashburton-bush-fire-brigades-local-law-2023/history","analysis":"/api/acts/shire-of-ashburton-bush-fire-brigades-local-law-2023/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/shire-of-ashburton-bush-fire-brigades-local-law-2023/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/shire-of-ashburton-bush-fire-brigades-local-law-2023/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/shire-of-ashburton-bush-fire-brigades-local-law-2023/documents"}}