The Act rests on several foundational concepts. “Bush” is defined broadly at section 3 to include trees, shrubs, plants, scrub, stubble, grass and undergrowth, whether alive or not and whether standing or not. “Firebreak” means an area clear of bush and other flammable material (s 3). “Flammable material” includes matter capable of combustion by heat, spark or flame, or by spontaneous causes, and matter prescribed as such (s 3). “Light a fire” is defined comprehensively at section 4 (above). “Permit” refers to a permit issued under section 46. “Property fire management plan” means a plan prepared under section 70 (for fire protection zones), section 81 (for fire management zones), or section 84 (for fire management areas). “Regional bushfire management plan” means a plan endorsed under section 78(3). “Small fire” is defined at section 3 as a fire lit for camping, cooking, boiling water, or disposing of an animal carcass. Zonal concepts are central. A “fire protection zone” is declared by the Minister by Gazette notice (s 56) for the purpose of applying controls under Part 4 Divisions 1 and 2 (firebreaks, setbacks, permits, spark arresters etc.). A “fire management zone” (s 58) is declared for establishing a regional committee and a regional bushfire management plan, and applying Division 3 controls (including prohibition notices and property fire management plans). A “fire management area” (s 60) is declared by the executive director for a limited period, requiring an area fire management plan and potentially property fire management plans, and applying Division 4 controls. A “fire danger area” arises when the executive director declares a fire danger period under section 62; the area then becomes a fire danger area for that period (s 63), applying Division 2 controls (similar to fire protection zone controls). A “fire ban area” arises when the executive director declares a fire ban period not exceeding 24 hours under section 65; the area is a fire ban area for that period (s 66), and Division 5 controls apply, including a near-absolute prohibition on lighting fires in the open air (s 86), with limited exceptions for cooking/boiling water under strict conditions. The “chain of command” in section 89 descends from chief fire control officer through senior fire control officers, fire control officers, fire wardens and authorised bushfire volunteers. Persons lower in the chain may only exercise powers in accordance with directions from higher persons. Authorised bushfire volunteers only have power if directed by a person who has that power (s 89(4)). “Statutory charge” is defined by reference to the Land Title Act 2000 and arises where the Territory incurs costs for work done in default of compliance (e.g. s 70(8), s 81(8), s 84(8), s 95(7)). The Act notionally divides the Territory into these zones and areas, and each carries a different set of obligations and prohibitions. The executive director and Minister have broad powers to issue notices prohibiting or requiring acts (ss 69, 80, 85) and to require property fire management plans (ss 70, 81, 84). The concept of “reasonable excuse” appears as a defence to several strict liability offences (e.g. ss 68(4), 72(3), 73(3), 74(3), 75(3), 76(3), 77(3), 81A(3) etc.) and is not defined in the Act, leaving it to judicial interpretation.

The Act affects a wide range of persons and entities in the Northern Territory. Landowners and occupiers are the primary duty-holders. The definition of “owner” at section 3 is broad: the person in actual receipt of, or entitled to receive, rents and profits, including as beneficiary, trustee, executor, mortgagee in possession, agent or attorney. “Occupier” means a person in charge or control of the land, and for Crown lands licences (other than under s 91 of the Crown Lands Act 1992) includes the licence holder. Any person who lights a fire is directly affected by duties in Part 5 Division 2 (ss 90-91). Persons using vehicles, engines, grinding/welding/cutting equipment in fire protection zones or fire danger areas are affected by sections 75-77 (prohibition on throwing burning matter, spark arrester requirements, fire extinguisher availability). Volunteer bushfire brigade members are affected by the employment protection in section 55 (protection from dismissal or loss of benefits when responding to a bushfire at the request of the executive director). The Act also creates a regulatory framework that affects public sector employees: the Minister, the executive director, the chief fire control officer, senior fire control officers, fire control officers, fire wardens, and authorised bushfire volunteers. The Bushfires Council (s 21) consists of at least nine members appointed by the Minister; at least one member from each regional committee must be appointed (s 25(2)). Regional bushfires committees (s 32) consist of at least six members each, appointed by the Minister. These committees advise on bushfire management and endorse regional plans. Persons served with a firebreak notice or flammable material notice under section 92 are directly affected; those notices can require specific acts within a specified time, and non-compliance can lead to the Territory undertaking the work and recovering costs as a debt and statutory charge (s 95(5)-(7)). Persons in the chain of command , the chief fire control officer, senior fire control officers, fire control officers, fire wardens, authorised bushfire volunteers , are all affected by the Act’s direction and delegation provisions. Insurance companies are indirectly affected by section 100(2), which deems damage caused in exercising a power under section 47 to be damage arising out of a bushfire for insurance policy purposes, and renders void any provision that negatives that deeming (s 100(3)). The Crown in right of the Territory and, to the extent of legislative power, the Crown in all other capacities is bound (s 7). Aboriginal landholders are affected by section 97, which permits entry onto Aboriginal land (as defined in the Aboriginal Land Act 1978) without a permit under that Act, for purposes of exercising powers under this Act. Any person who engages in conduct that contravenes a prohibition notice under section 80 or 85, or who provides misleading information to a fire control officer or fire warden (s 102), is affected by criminal penalties up to 200 penalty units or 2 years imprisonment.

The Act imposes numerous duties and confers corresponding rights. The central duty on all owners and occupiers of land is in section 90: to take all reasonable steps to protect property on the land from fire and to prevent or inhibit fire spreading to other land. If unable to control a fire, they must notify a fire control officer or fire warden, and also notify the occupier of land to which the fire is likely to spread or a person over 16 on that land (s 90(2)). Failure to do so with the requisite mental element (intentional failure, reckless as to fire potential) is an offence carrying 500 penalty units or 5 years imprisonment (s 90(3)). A person who lights a fire has a similar duty under section 91: to take all reasonable steps to protect property and prevent spread, and if unable to control, to notify as above. Failure is again an offence of the same severity. The duty to establish firebreaks applies to owners and occupiers within fire protection zones under section 68: they must have a prescribed firebreak around the perimeter (or in an approved position) of the land, and around any house, permanent structure, stationary engine, or flammable material. The prescribed firebreak must be at least 4 metres wide, created by approved methods, with vegetation no more than 50 mm high and no slash or dead material (s 68(6)). Non-compliance is a strict liability offence with a maximum penalty of 20 penalty units plus 2 penalty units per day continuing (s 68(1)-(2)). The right to apply for a permit to light a fire is in section 46: a person may apply to a fire control officer or fire warden for a permit to light a fire in the open air within a fire protection zone or fire danger area (s 46(1)), or for aerial burning in a fire management zone (s 46(2)). The officer or warden must determine the application by issuing a permit (conditionally or unconditionally) or refusing (s 46(3)). A refusal is appealable to the executive director within 7 days (s 46(6)-(7)). Permits can be varied or revoked orally, but oral variations must be confirmed in writing within 5 days (s 46(8)-(9)). Section 88 provides that a permit does not authorise lighting a fire in a fire ban area during a fire ban period, overriding any permit. The duty to comply with a firebreak notice or flammable material notice under section 92(4) is backed by an offence under section 95 (maximum 100 penalty units, strict liability, reasonable excuse defence). The right to apply to NTCAT for review of the decision to serve such a notice is in section 94: the person served may apply within 7 days, and NTCAT may confirm, vary, or set aside the notice, specifying a compliance time. The duty to notify a fire control officer or fire warden where a fire lit before a fire ban period cannot be extinguished before the period begins is in section 87(1). Failure to extinguish or notify before commencement is an offence (s 87(3), 200 penalty units or 2 years). The duty of fire control officers and fire wardens to show identity cards before entering land for certain purposes is in section 48(3). Fire control officers have ancillary powers under section 48 to enter land without warrant to examine fires, investigate bushfire causes, require names and permits, and require extinguishment. Obstructing a fire control officer, fire warden or authorised bushfire volunteer acting in an official capacity is an offence under section 50 (200 penalty units or 2 years). Members of the Council and regional committees have a duty to disclose pecuniary interests (ss 31, 42), and a duty of confidentiality under section 101 (disclosure of information obtained in the course of administration is an offence unless within exceptions). The Territory has the right to recover expenses incurred as a result of a person’s contravention (s 98), and the right to have costs of default works become a debt and statutory charge on the land (ss 70(8), 81(8), 84(8), 95(7)).

The Act establishes a graded penalty structure across dozens of offences, with maximum penalties ranging from 20 penalty units to 500 penalty units or imprisonment for 5 years. A penalty unit is defined by the Interpretation Act 1978 (not in this Act but referenced via the note to s 3; as of 2023 a penalty unit in the NT is $162, so 500 units equals $81,000). The highest penalties attach to offences involving intentional lighting of fire without authorisation in a fire protection zone or fire danger area (s 73: 500 penalty units or 5 years), leaving a fire unattended (s 74: same), lighting a fire in a fire ban area (s 86: same), failing to control a fire as owner/occupier or person who lit it (ss 90, 91: same), and aerial burning without a permit (s 82: same). These offences all require proof of intention as to the conduct and recklessness as to the circumstance (e.g. being unauthorised, fire having potential to spread). Strict liability applies to the geographical element (e.g. that the fire was within a fire protection zone). Defences of reasonable excuse are available for some but not all strict liability offences; for the most serious, there is no reasonable excuse defence (only the general defences under the Criminal Code Part IIAA apply). Offences relating to obstruction (s 50) carry a maximum of 200 penalty units or 2 years. Contravention of a prohibition notice under sections 69, 80, or 85 also carries 200 penalty units or 2 years; these require intentional conduct and recklessness as to the contravention. Offences concerning property fire management plans (ss 70A, 81A, 84A) similarly carry 200 penalty units or 2 years. Offences of failing to return an identity card (ss 20, 45, 53) carry 20 penalty units, are strict liability with a reasonable excuse defence. The offence of failing to comply with a firebreak notice or flammable material notice (s 95) carries 100 penalty units, strict liability with reasonable excuse. Failure to extinguish a fire after a direction (s 87(5)) carries 100 penalty units, strict liability with reasonable excuse. The offence of giving misleading information to a fire control officer or fire warden (s 102) carries 200 penalty units or 2 years, requiring knowledge of the misleading nature. Enforcement mechanisms include the power of fire control officers to enter land without warrant in certain circumstances (s 48(1)) and to seize things believed on reasonable grounds to be connected with a bushfire or offence (s 48(2)). Obstruction is itself an offence (s 50). The Territory may recover expenses incurred as a result of a contravention in a court of competent jurisdiction (s 98). Where the executive director authorises work to be done in default of compliance with a property fire management plan or a firebreak/flammable material notice, the cost becomes a debt due to the Territory and a statutory charge on the land (ss 70(8), 81(8), 84(8), 95(7)). Section 103 provides for evidentiary certificates signed by the executive director to prove matters such as that a day was within a fire danger period, that an area was within a specified zone, that a fire was prohibited, or that a person held a specified office. Such certificates are evidence of the matters stated in the absence of proof to the contrary.

The Act interacts with several other pieces of legislation expressly and implicitly. Section 6 provides that the Act does not apply to an area declared to be an emergency response area under section 4 of the Fire and Emergency Act 1996, thereby creating a jurisdictional carve-out for emergency operations under that Act. The Act binds the Crown in right of the Territory and, to the extent of legislative power, the Crown in all other capacities (s 7), meaning it prevails over Crown immunity subject to constitutional limits. Section 8 applies Part IIAA of the Criminal Code to offences against the Act, which sets out general principles of criminal responsibility, defences, and burden of proof. Section 97 allows persons empowered to enter land under the Act to do so despite the land being Aboriginal land under the Aboriginal Land Act 1978 and without holding a permit under that Act, overriding the permit requirement for Aboriginal land entry. Section 100(2) provides that damage to property through the exercise of a power under section 47 (bushfire response powers) must be taken, for any fire insurance policy covering the property, to be damage arising out of a bushfire. Section 100(3) voids any agreement provision that negatives, limits or modifies that deeming. This interacts with insurance contract law and policy terms. Section 94, as amended by the Statute Law Amendment (NTCAT Conferral of Jurisdiction) Act 2023, confers jurisdiction on the Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NTCAT) to review decisions of the executive director to serve firebreak notices or flammable material notices. The Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2014 governs the procedure for such reviews (note to s 94). Part 7 Division 3 contains transitional provisions for that amending Act, preserving the former ministerial review process for notices served before commencement and for reviews requested but not determined before commencement (ss 112-115). The Act replaces the repealed Bushfires Act 1980 (Schedule 1), and section 109 provides for the continuation of offices, permits, volunteer bushfire brigades, and zones under the new Act. Regulations under the Act (s 106) may prescribe penalties up to 85 penalty units and may adopt documents as in force from time to time. The Land Title Act 2000 is referenced in the definition of “statutory charge” (s 3), linking the Act to the Torrens system for land title charges where the Territory registers a charge over land. The Crown Lands Act 1992 is referenced in the definition of “occupier” (s 3) to include licence holders under that Act (other than s 91). Section 55 provides employment protection for volunteer bushfire brigade members, interacting with industrial awards and agreements by preventing dismissal or loss of benefits solely due to absence for bushfire response, regardless of employer consent. Section 102’s offence of providing misleading information to a fire control officer or fire warden interacts with general criminal law provisions on fraud but is specific to the Act’s administration. The Act’s general powers under section 47 (powers in relation to bushfires) and section 48 (ancillary powers) may also interact with common law rights of entry and property, but the Act expressly authorises conduct that might otherwise be trespass or nuisance, subject to protection from liability in section 99 for acts done in good faith. Section 99 provides protection from civil or criminal liability for members of the Council or regional committees, and for fire control officers, fire wardens, or authorised bushfire volunteers acting in accordance with directions and in good faith, but does not affect the liability of the Territory (ss 99(2), 99(5)).

The Bushfires Management Act 2016 received assent on 7 June 2016 and commenced on 1 November 2016 (Gazette S111, 17 October 2016). It was amended by two subsequent Acts. The Environment Legislation Amendment Act 2021 (Act No. 22, 2021) received assent on 18 November 2021, with Part 7 commencing on 31 March 2022 and the remainder on 1 February 2022. This amending Act made significant changes to the property fire management plan provisions. It substituted section 70 (property fire management plans within fire protection zone) and inserted new section 70A (offences about those plans). It substituted section 81 (property fire management plans within fire management zone) and inserted section 81A (offences regarding those plans). It substituted section 84 (property fire management plans within fire management area) and inserted section 84A (offences about those plans). It also amended section 91 (duty of person who lights fire to control it) via section 9 of the amending Act. Additionally, it amended section 68 (requirement to establish firebreaks) and substituted section 5 (public notice). The next amendment was the Statute Law Amendment (NTCAT Conferral of Jurisdiction) Act 2023 (Act No. 24, 2023), which received assent on 21 September 2023 and commenced on 27 November 2023 (Gazette G24, 23 November 2023, p 2). This Act transferred review of firebreak notices and flammable material notices from the Minister to the Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NTCAT). It amended section 93 (contents of firebreak notices or flammable material notices) by section 35, substituted section 94 (review by NTCAT) by section 36, and amended section 95 (offence not to comply with notice) by section 37. It also inserted Part 7 Division 3 (transitional matters for that amending Act) including new sections 111 to 115, dealing with transitional arrangements for notices served before commencement and reviews not requested or determined before commencement. Additionally, general amendments of a formal nature were made by the Interpretation Legislation Amendment Act 2018 (Act No. 22, 2018) to sections 1, 3, 6, 97, 108 and 110, though these are not further detailed. The Act originally had a Part 8 with transitional provisions that expired (ss 116-121 and Schedule 2) as noted in the endnotes. The Act currently appears as in force at 27 November 2023, incorporating all amendments to that date.

The Act itself does not contain any references to specific case law. The endnotes and body text do not cite any judicial decisions. However, the Act’s provisions create several avenues for litigation. The review mechanism under section 94 (as amended) allows persons served with a firebreak notice or flammable material notice to apply to NTCAT for review of the executive director’s decision. NTCAT decisions under that section may potentially be appealed to the Supreme Court under the Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2014, though this Act does not specify that avenue. The former section 94 (before the 2023 amendment) provided for review by the Minister, and transitional provisions in sections 112-115 preserve that process for notices served before 27 November 2023 or reviews not determined by that date. Offences under the Act are prosecuted in the court of competent jurisdiction (typically the Local Court or Supreme Court depending on penalty). The Act does not specify a limitation period for prosecutions; that would be governed by the Criminal Code and general law. Section 98 allows the Territory to recover expenses incurred due to a contravention in a court of competent jurisdiction. Section 96 allows a person served with a firebreak/flammable material notice who incurs expenditure to recover from the owner of the land or from other joint owners a debt due in a court. Section 102 creates an offence for misleading information; prosecutions under that section would test the meaning of “misleading information” defined at section 102(5) as information misleading in a material particular or because of omission of a material particular. Section 49 creates an offence of contravening a requirement under section 48(1)(b) or (c) (requirement to state name and residence or produce permit, or requirement to extinguish a fire). Litigation may arise over the interpretation of “reasonable excuse” defences that appear in numerous sections. The defence is not defined in the Act, leaving courts to develop its content. The chain of command in section 89 gives rise to potential issues about whether an authorised bushfire volunteer was properly directed, and whether a direction was lawful, affecting the volunteer’s protection from liability under section 99(3). The protection from liability provisions (s 99, s 100) would likely be litigated where a fire control officer or volunteer causes damage arguably beyond the scope of good faith exercise of power. Section 100(1) protects a person who causes damage in good faith in exercising a power or carrying out authorised work; the onus would be on the person claiming protection. Section 100(2) deems damage under section 47 to be bushfire damage for insurance purposes; disputes may arise between insureds and insurers over the application of that deeming. The Act’s interaction with Aboriginal land permits under the Aboriginal Land Act 1978 (s 97) could be litigated if entry is contested. There is no mention of any decided cases in the provided source, so no specific case names can be cited.

Several provisions in the Act contain traps for the unwary. First, the definition of “light a fire” in section 4 is extremely broad. It extends beyond simply starting a flame: a person is taken to light a fire if they “cause the fire to occur” or “do any act that is likely to result in spreading the fire”. This means a person who inadvertently sparks a fire through an activity (such as grinding or welding, even if complying with the equipment requirements of s 77) could be deemed to have lit the fire for the purposes of duties under section 91. The duty under section 91 applies to “a person who lights a fire on land” , that duty includes taking all reasonable steps to control the fire and, if unable, to notify. Failure can result in a maximum penalty of 500 penalty units or 5 years imprisonment. Second, section 68 imposes strict liability for failing to maintain a prescribed firebreak (at least 4 metres wide, cleared to no more than 50 mm vegetation, no slash) but subsection (5) notes that this does not affect the requirement to obtain a permit if burning is used to create the firebreak. A landowner who burns to create a firebreak without a permit may face separate charges under section 73. Third, section 88 provides that a permit does not authorise lighting a fire in a fire ban area during a fire ban period, regardless of the permit’s terms. A person who holds a permit and lights a fire in a fire ban area commits an offence under section 86(1) , up to 500 penalty units or 5 years. There is no reasonable excuse defence. Fourth, section 74(3) provides a defence to leaving a fire unattended if the person arranged with another person who was maintaining or using the fire to not leave it unless that person extinguishes it or passes the arrangement on. However, this defence requires that the arrangement was made and that the person left the fire “in circumstances in which it was reasonable to do so”. That reasonableness standard is not further elaborated and could be litigated. Fifth, section 77 requires that when using grinding, welding or cutting equipment in the open air in a fire protection zone or fire danger area, there must be “readily available a fire extinguishing device that is in good working order and appropriate”. The Act does not prescribe the type or size of the extinguisher; this could lead to dispute about what is “appropriate” in the circumstances. Sixth, the executive director may direct a fire control officer or other person to conduct a risk assessment and may enter land without a warrant under section 70(6) or 81(6) or 84(6). There is no express requirement to give notice before entry, and section 48(3) only requires showing an identity card “if there is a person on the land who is or appears to be the occupier”. A landowner might not know the assessment is occurring until afterwards. Seventh, section 97 permits entry onto Aboriginal land without a permit under the Aboriginal Land Act 1978 for purposes of this Act. That override is broad and could be contentious, especially if the entry is for risk assessment (s 70(6)) not an emergency. Eighth, the statutory charge provisions (ss 70(8), 81(8), 84(8), 95(7)) mean that if the Territory carries out work in default, the costs become a debt and a charge on the land. The charge arises without any court order; it is automatic once the work is done. The definition of “statutory charge” incorporates the Land Title Act 2000, which may require registration to be effective against third parties, but the Act does not specify the priority of such charges. Ninth, section 103 provides that a certificate signed by the executive director is evidence of certain facts (e.g. that an area was within a fire protection zone). This reverses the evidentiary burden: the certificate is proof in the absence of contrary evidence, so a defendant must produce evidence to rebut it. Tenth, section 102(4) provides a defence to giving a document containing misleading information if the person drew attention to the misleading aspect and gave information necessary to remedy it. But the onus is on the accused to raise that defence. Finally, transitional provisions in sections 112-115 preserve the old ministerial review process for firebreak/flammable material notices served before 27 November 2023. A person served with such a notice now must apply to NTCAT within 7 days (s 94(3)), but if the notice was served before that date, the old process with the Minister still applies. That could cause confusion if a person assumes the new process applies to old notices.

Compliance with the Bushfires Management Act 2016 requires a systematic approach tailored to the zone or area in which land is situated. The first step for any landowner or occupier is to ascertain whether their land lies within a fire protection zone, fire management zone, fire management area, fire danger area, or fire ban area at any given time. Fire protection zones and fire management zones are declared by Gazette notice (ss 56, 58) and are relatively permanent. Fire management areas are declared by Gazette notice for a limited period (s 60). Fire danger periods and fire ban periods are declared by public notice (ss 62, 65) and can vary across the Territory. The executive director’s office has a list of current declarations. For land within a fire protection zone, the owner or occupier must maintain prescribed firebreaks around the perimeter of the land and around any house, permanent structure, stationary engine, or flammable material on the land (s 68). The firebreak must be at least 4 metres wide, cleared of vegetation over 50 mm high and slash or dead material, and created by approved methods (burning, grading, scraping, ploughing, mowing, slashing, spraying or grazing). If the owner or occupier wishes to use burning, a permit under section 46 is required first (s 68(5)). The executive director may also serve a notice under section 69 prohibiting or requiring acts on the land, which must be complied with. The executive director may require a property fire management plan (s 70), and section 70A creates offences for contravening such a plan or failing to submit one when required. If a property fire management plan requires a specific act, the owner or occupier must do it within the specified period; failure may result in the Territory doing the work and recovering costs plus a statutory charge. Within fire protection zones and fire danger areas, Part 4 Division 2 imposes additional duties. Small fires must be at least 4 metres away from bush or flammable material (s 72). Any fire other than a small fire requires a permit (s 73). Fires must not be left unattended (s 74). No burning or smouldering matter may be thrown within 4 metres of flammable material (s 75). Engines must be fitted with spark arresters (s 76). Grinding, welding or cutting equipment must have a fire extinguishing device readily available (s 77). For land within a fire management zone, the owner or occupier should be aware that a regional bushfire management plan may be in effect (s 78). The Minister may issue prohibition notices under section 80, carrying serious penalties if contravened. The executive director may require a property fire management plan (s 81) and section 81A creates offences for contravention or non-submission. Aerial burning (deploying an incendiary device from an aircraft) in a fire management zone requires a permit under section 46(2), and section 82 makes unauthorised aerial burning an offence of the highest severity. For land within a fire management area, the executive director must prepare an area fire management plan (s 83). The executive director may by public notice or written notice require the owner or occupier to prepare a property fire management plan (s 84). Compliance with such plans is mandatory; section 84A creates offences for contravention or failure to submit. Prohibition notices under section 85 may also apply. For fire ban areas, the prohibition on lighting fires in the open air is near-absolute (s 86). The only exception is for fires lit for cooking or boiling water, provided there is no flammable material within 4 metres, the fire is not left unattended, and it is extinguished without delay when no longer in use (s 86(3)). Any person who has a fire burning before a fire ban period begins must either extinguish it before the period starts or notify a fire control officer or fire warden under section 87(1). Permits are suspended (s 88). Beyond zone-specific duties, all persons have general duties under Part 5 Division 2: the owner or occupier must take all reasonable steps to protect property and prevent fire spreading (s 90); any person who lights a fire must take similar steps (s 91). If unable to control a fire, notification must be given promptly to a fire control officer or fire warden and to neighbouring occupiers or a person over 16 on that land. Failure can result in imprisonment. Anyone who receives a firebreak notice or flammable material notice under section 92 must comply within the time specified, or apply to NTCAT for review within 7 days (s 94). If the notice is confirmed or varied, compliance must occur within the time set by NTCAT (s 95(1)). The executive director’s warning notice process under section 92(2)-(3) provides an opportunity to give reasons why a proposed notice should not be served; responding within 72 hours can avoid a formal notice. Record-keeping is prudent: retain any permits, property fire management plans, correspondence with Bushfires NT, evidence of firebreak maintenance, and compliance with notices. If an officer or warden asks for identification or a permit, the person must comply (s 48(1)(b)), failing which is an offence. Refusing to extinguish a fire when directed is also an offence (s 48(1)(c), s 49). Obstructing an official is a serious offence (s 50). Employment protections for volunteer brigade members under section 55 should be understood by both volunteers and employers: a volunteer called by the executive director to respond to a bushfire cannot be dismissed or lose entitlements solely because of that absence. Employers should not penalise such absences. Finally, any person who is a member of the Council or a regional committee must disclose pecuniary interests and maintain confidentiality (ss 31, 42, 101).