What it does
The Country Fire Authority Act 1958 (the Act) is the foundational statute establishing and empowering the Country Fire Authority (CFA) as the primary agency for fire prevention, suppression, and related emergency functions across the "country area of Victoria" (defined in s 3(1) as all areas outside the Fire Rescue Victoria fire district, excluding forests, national parks, and protected public land). At its core, the Act vests control of fire-related activities in the CFA (s 14 and s 20), while imposing a structured regime of duties, powers, offences, and safeguards.
Operationally, the Act does four main things. First, it constitutes the CFA as a body corporate (s 6) with a nine-member board (s 7), including four volunteer representatives nominated by Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria (VFBV). The board is subject to ministerial direction (s 6A) and must pursue objectives of interoperability, volunteer sustainability, and community focus (s 6B). It collaborates with Emergency Management Victoria (s 6C), complies with operational standards set by the Emergency Management Commissioner (s 6D), and implements Strategic Action Plans (s 6DB).
Second, the Act delineates comprehensive fire-control mechanisms. During declared fire danger periods (s 4, proclaimed by the Chief Executive Officer after consultation with the Department), open-air fires are prohibited except under permit (s 37, s 38) or for exempted purposes such as meal preparation in approved appliances (s 38A). Total fire bans can be declared and broadcast (s 40), with severe penalties for breach (up to 240 penalty units or 2 years imprisonment). Fire prevention notices may be issued by municipal fire prevention officers or the Chief Officer (s 41), requiring landowners to abate hazards, with objection and appeal rights (ss 41B–41C). Brigades may undertake preventive works (s 42), and councils and public authorities have positive duties to minimise fire risk on their land and roads (s 43).