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Community Safety
The Community Safety Section of the Riverina Zone provides Fire Mitigation and Community Education Services. The Community Safety Section consists of Community Safety Officer James Smith and Fire Mitigation Officer Scott Keelan.
Before you light that fire
Many residents contact the Rural Fire Service seeking advice on burning piles of rubbish or vegetation.
Open burning is regulated by Local Government and the NSW Environment Protection Authority under the protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 and the Protection of the Environment Operations (Control of Burning) Regulation 2000.
All enquiries for pile burning should be referred to the relevant Local Council.
Outside the Bush Fire Danger Period a permit from the Rural Fire Service to burn rubbish, prunings, trees, etc, is generally not required. The exception to this is when the burning may endanger a building. In this case a permit under section 88 of the Rural Fires Act is required.
| COUNCIL | BURNING VEGETATION |
BURNING OTHER MATERIAL |
OFFICER | PHONE |
| Coolamon | Yes | Yes | Tony Donohue | 6927 3206 0427 273 694 |
| Junee | Yes | Approval req | Sheree Shuttleworth | 6924 8100 0409 448 208 |
| Lockhart | Yes | Yes | Bob Crawford | 6920 5305 0407 530820 |
| Urana | Yes | Approval req | Brent Livermore | 6930 9100 |
| Wagga Wagga | Approval req | Approval req | Tony Phelps | 6926 9341 0429 830 073 |
Within the NSW Fire Brigade Districts, residents should also consult with the local Fire Brigade:
Coolamon: 6927 3003
Junee: 6924 1222
Lockhart: 6920 5103
Wagga Wagga: 6921 3022
Residents must also ensure:
- Neighbours and relevant authorities are notified at least 24 hours prior to the burn.
- Burning is done so as to minimise air pollution and inconvenience to other residents.
- Materials such as tyres, coated wire, paint and solvent containers and treated timber must not be burnt.
- Piles for burning are located away from buildings, power lines and vegetation.
- All material to be burnt should be dead and dry.
- A responsible adult is constantly supervising the burn until it is extinguished.