Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Withmore than a thousand warnings now issued, Bushfires NT is urging Top End rurallandholders to install firebreaks or risk becoming a statistic.
BushfiresNT executive director, Collene Bremner, said firebreaks play a pivotal role inhelping volunteer firefighters save properties from the devastating impact offire each and every year.
Thisyears Top End fire season is predicted to be longer than normal and residentswho have not prepared their firebreaks need to act urgently, Ms Bremner said.
Wehave already issued more than 1000 warnings to landholders in Darwins ruralarea to install their firebreaks and property inspections will continue duringthe next few months.
Thisis a very disappointing result when people know that firebreaks play animportant role in helping to save lives, property and the environment.
Firebreaksallow our amazing volunteers to safely access properties that might be impactedby fire and could be the difference between a positive or negative outcome forlandholders.
Warningswill also be issued to 85 landholders in the Katherine region over coming dayswith follow up inspections also planned.
Itis a requirement that all properties have a firebreak no less than four metreswide around the perimeter and around any permanent infrastructure.
Anyonefailing to contact the Bushfires NT manager of compliance within 72 hours ofreceiving a warning could be served a Firebreak Notice.
Failureto comply with the Notice could result in a fine of up to $15,500 plus costsrecovered if Bushfires NT end up having a firebreak installed.
