BUSH FIRES ACT 1954
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1995
BUSH FIRE BRIGADES
LOCAL LAW 2017
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LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1995
REPEAL LOCAL LAW 2017
29 August 2017 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 4605
BUSH FIRES ACT 1954
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1995
SHIRE OF VICTORIA PLAINS
BUSH FIRE BRIGADES LOCAL LAW 2017
CONTENTS
PART 1—PRELIMINARY
1.1 Citation
1.2 Commencement
1.3 Application
1.4 Repeal
1.5 Definitions
PART 2—ESTABLISHMENT OF BUSH FIRE BRIGADES
2.1 Establishment of a bush fire brigade
2.2 Name and area of bush fire brigade
2.3 Objects of bush fire brigades
2.4 Chain of command during fire fighting activities
2.5 Existing bush fire brigades
2.6 Dissolution of bush fire brigade
2.7 New arrangement after dissolution
PART 3—ORGANISATION OF BUSH FIRE BRIGADES
3.1 Local government responsible for structure
3.2 Appointment of bush fire control officers
3.3 Training of officers
3.4 Managerial role of CBFCO
3.5 Duties of Captain and bush fire brigade officers
PART 4—MEMBERSHIP
4.1 Types of membership of bush fire brigade
4.2 Membership applications
4.3 Membership—review, refusal, suspension or termination
4.4 Member has right to review
4.5 Existing liabilities to continue
4.6 Disagreements
PART 5—GENERAL
5.1 Administration
5.2 Finances
5.3 Equipment
5.4 Consideration in the local government budget
29 August 2017 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 4607
BUSH FIRES ACT 1954
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1995
SHIRE OF VICTORIA PLAINS
BUSH FIRE BRIGADES LOCAL LAW 2017
Under the powers conferred by the Bush Fires Act 1954, the Local Government Act 1995 and under all
other powers enabling it, the Council of the Shire of Victoria Plains resolved on 19 July 2017 to make
the following local law.
PART 1—PRELIMINARY
1.1 Citation
This local law may be cited as the Shire of Victoria Plains Bush Fire Brigades Local Law 2017.
1.2 Commencement
This local law will come into operation 14 days after its publication in the Government Gazette.
1.3 Application
This local law applies throughout the district.
1.4 Repeal
The Shire of Victoria Plains Fire Control Local Law as published in the Government Gazette on
9 June 1998 is repealed.
1.5 Definitions
In this local law unless the context otherwise requires—
Act means the Bush Fires Act 1954;
brigade area has the meaning given to it in clause 2.2(b);
brigade member means a volunteer fire fighter having current membership of a bush fire
brigade;
brigade officer means a person holding a position referred to in clause 3.3(1), irrespective of
method of appointment to the position;
bush fire brigade has the meaning given to it in section 7 of the Act;
bush fire control officer means a person appointed to that office by the local government;
Bush Fire Operating Procedures means the Bush Fire Operating Procedures as may be
adopted by the local government and amended from time to time;
Captain means the person holding or acting in that position in a bush fire brigade;
CBFCO means the Chief Bush Fire Control Officer;
CEO means the Chief Executive Officer of the local government;
Council means the Council of the local government;
district means the district of the local government;
fire fighting activities means all normal brigade activities relating to a live bush fire which is
active in the district, and includes burning off, creating fire breaks and other methods for the
control of bush fires;
Lieutenant means the person holding that position in a bush fire brigade;
local government means the Shire of Victoria Plains;
normal brigade activities has the meaning given to it in section 35A of the Act;
President means President of the Council;
Regulations means Bush Fires Regulations 1954 made under the Act; and
volunteer fire fighter has the meaning given to it in section 35A of the Act.
Section 1 - Repeal Local Law - Repeal Local Law | Zoe
4608 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 29 August 2017
PART 2—ESTABLISHMENT OF BUSH FIRE BRIGADES
2.1 Establishment of a bush fire brigade
(1) The local government may establish a bush fire brigade for the purpose of carrying out normal
brigade activities.
(2) A bush fire brigade is established on the date of the local government’s decision under
subclause (1).
2.2 Name and area of bush fire brigade
On establishing a bush fire brigade under clause 2.1(1) the local government is to—
(a) give a name to the bush fire brigade;
(b) specify the area within the district in which the bush fire brigade is primarily responsible for
carrying out the normal brigade activities.
2.3 Objects of bush fire brigades
The objects of the bush fire brigade are to carry out—
(a) the normal brigade activities; and
(b) the functions of the bush fire brigade which are specified in the Act, the Regulations and the
local law.
2.4 Chain of command during fire fighting activities
(1) Subject to the Act, the chain of command to apply during fire fighting activities is—
(a) bush fire control officers in order of seniority;
(b) brigade officers in order of seniority; and
(c) all other volunteer fire fighters.
(2) The person in command has full control over other persons fighting the fire, and is to issue
instructions as to the methods to be adopted by the volunteer fire fighters, and may exercise all the
powers and duties provided for by the Act.
2.5 Existing bush fire brigades
A bush fire brigade established prior to the day on which this local law comes into operation—
(a) is to be taken to be a bush fire brigade established under and in accordance with this local
law;
(b) the provisions of this local law apply to the bush fire brigade save for clause 2.1; and
(c) any rules governing the operation of the bush fire brigade are repealed and substituted with
the provisions of this local law.
2.6 Dissolution of bush fire brigade
In accordance with section 41(3) of the Act, the local government may cancel the registration of a bush
fire brigade if it is of the opinion that the bush fire brigade is not complying with the Act, this local
law, or is not achieving the objectives for which it was established.
2.7 New arrangement after dissolution
If the local government cancels the registration of a bush fire brigade, alternative fire control
arrangements are to be made in respect of the brigade area.
PART 3—ORGANISATION OF BUSH FIRE BRIGADES
3.1 Local government responsible for structure
The local government is to ensure that there is an appropriate structure through which the
organisation of bush fire brigades is maintained.
3.2 Appointment of bush fire control officers
(1) The local government may appoint bush fire control officers in their absolute discretion, and apply
conditions as considered appropriate.
(2) Where only one person is appointed as a bush fire control officer, that person is the CBFCO for the
purposes of this local law.
(3) Where more than one person is appointed as a bush fire control officer, the local government shall
determine seniority as CBFCO, Deputy CBFCO, and further seniority as is considered appropriate.
(4) When considering the appointment of a person as a bush fire control officer, the local government
is to have regard to the qualifications, training and experience which may be advisable to fill the
position.
3.3 Training of officers
(1) The local government is to supply each bush fire control officer and brigade captain with a copy of
the Act, the Regulations, any Bush Fire Operating Procedures adopted, this local law and any other
written laws which may be relevant to the performance of the brigade officers’ functions, and any
amendments made from time to time.
29 August 2017 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 4609
(2) Bush fire control officers are to complete a Bush Fire Control Officers course conducted by an
organisation approved by the CEO, within 12 months of appointment, unless a course has been
completed within the 4 years prior to appointment as a bush fire control officer.
(3) Bush fire control officers are required to complete a bush fire control officers course or a bush fire
control officers refresher course at least once every 5 years.
3.4 Managerial role of CBFCO
Subject to any directions by the local government the CBFCO has primary managerial responsibility
for the organisation and maintenance of bush fire brigades.
3.5 Duties of Captain and bush fire brigade officers
The duties of the CBFCO and Captain include—
(a) to provide leadership to bush fire brigades;
(b) to monitor bush fire brigades’ resourcing, equipment and training levels;
(c) to liaise with the local government concerning fire prevention or fire suppression matters
generally and directions to be issued by the local government to bush fire control officers
(including those who issue permits to burn), bush fire brigades or brigade officers;
(d) to ensure that lists of brigade members are maintained in accordance with clause 4.3;
(e) to report annually to the local government the office bearers of the bush fire brigade in the
form of Form 12 of the Regulations; and
(f) to report to the local government prior to the local government’s annual budget each year, for
consideration and appropriate provision being made in the next budget, the status of a bush
fire brigade’s—
(i) training and readiness;
(ii) protective clothing;
(iii) equipment; and
(iv) vehicles and appliances.
PART 4—MEMBERSHIP
4.1 Types of membership of bush fire brigade
(1) The membership of a bush fire brigade consists of volunteer fire fighters.
(2) Registration as a volunteer fire fighter does not commit the person to participating in all normal
brigade activities.
4.2 Membership applications
The decision on an application for admission of member, with or without conditions or restrictions,
may be made by—
(a) either the Captain or CBFCO; jointly with
(b) either the CEO or President.
4.3 Membership—review, refusal, suspension or termination
(1) The Captain is to review the membership and report to the CEO and CBFCO the name and
contact details of each brigade member.
(2) If circumstances warrant, membership of the bush fire brigade may be refused or suspended at
any time for a period considered appropriate in the opinion of—
(a) either the Captain or CBFCO; jointly with
(b) either the CEO or President.
(3) Membership of the bush fire brigade terminates if the member—
(a) dies;
(b) gives written notice of resignation to the Captain or CEO;
(c) is permanently incapacitated by mental or physical ill-health in the opinion of—
(i) either the Captain or CBFCO; jointly with
(ii) either the CEO or President; or
(d) has been removed from the membership list for other sufficient reason in the opinion of—
(i) either the Captain or CBFCO; jointly with
(ii) either the CEO or President.
(4) Where a decision under subclause (2), (3)(c) or (3)(d) is unable to be agreed, the matter is to be
referred to Council, whose decision shall be final.
(5) Members are eligible to reapply where membership has ceased for any reason.
4.4 Member has right to review
A brigade member may appeal to the Council, whose decision shall be final, any—
(a) refusal of membership;
(b) suspension of membership; or
(c) termination of membership.
4610 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 29 August 2017
4.5 Existing liabilities to continue
The resignation, suspension or termination of a member under clause 4.3 does not affect any liability
of the brigade member arising prior to the date of resignation, suspension or termination of
membership.
4.6 Disagreements
(1) Any disagreement between brigade members regarding normal brigade activities may be referred
to the Captain.
(2) Where a disagreement in subclause (1) is considered by the Captain to be of importance to the
interests of the bush fire brigade, then the Captain is to refer the disagreement to the CEO.
(3) The local government is the final authority on matters affecting the bush fire brigade, and may
resolve any disagreement which is not resolved under subclause (1) or (2).
PART 5—GENERAL
5.1 Administration
All administrative matters of a bush fire brigade are to be managed by the local government, other
than brigade specific internal arrangements.
5.2 Finances
All financial matters of a bush fire brigade are to be managed by the local government, other than
brigade specific internal arrangements.
5.3 Equipment
All equipment purchased by the local government is the property of, and shall be insured by, the local
government.
5.4 Consideration in the local government budget
In addition to funding made available through emergency services grants, the local government may
provide further funding depending upon the assessment of budget priorities for the year in question.
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Dated: 19 July 2017.
The Common Seal of the Shire of Victoria Plains was affixed by authority of a resolution of Council in
the presence of—
D. S. LOVELOCK, President.
G. M. TEEDE, Chief Executive Officer.
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29 August 2017 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 4611
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1995
SHIRE OF VICTORIA PLAINS
REPEAL LOCAL LAW 2017
Under the powers conferred by the Local Government Act 1995 and under all other powers enabling
it, the Council of the Shire of Victoria Plains resolved on 19 July 2017 to make the following local law.
Citation
This local law may be cited as the Shire of Victoria Plains Repeal Local Law 2017.
Commencement
This local law will come into operation 14 days after publication in the Government Gazette.
Repeal
The following local laws are repealed—
(a) By-laws Governing Long Service Leave to be Granted to Employees of the Victoria Plains Road
Board, published in the Government Gazette on 20 July 1951;
(b) By-laws for Regulating the Construction, Establishment, Operation and Maintenance of
Motels, published in the Government Gazette on 6 October 1960;
(c) By-laws Relating to the Keeping of Bees, published in the Government Gazette on 8 May 1962;
and
(d) By-law relating to Speed of Vehicles Driven on Land which is Vested in or Under the Care,
Control or Management of the Shire of Victoria Plain, published in the Government Gazette on
12 November 1968.
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Dated: 19 July 2017.
The Common Seal of the Shire of Victoria Plains was affixed by authority of a resolution of Council in
the presence of—
D. S. LOVELOCK, President.
G. M. TEEDE, Chief Executive Officer.
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