Backyard fire laws in the pipeline

Recreational backyard fires and firepits will be allowed on private property across the Moreton Bay Region under a suite of proposed local laws governing community standards for private land.

The local laws opened for public consultation this week and also propose new laws for regulating overgrown vegetation, deteriorating estate entry statement signs and feeding wild animals.

Mayor Peter Flannery says changes arising from the proposed laws reflect feedback Council received through extensive community consultation in 2021.

“Thanks to thousands of submissions from our community, Council is progressively releasing the proposed laws,” he says.

“Whether you support or object to the proposed Local Laws, we want to hear from you.”

If the Community Standards for Private Land laws are passed after the latest round of community consultation, people will be able to enjoy backyard fires as long as they comply with new requirements.

The requirements stipulate fires must be lit and maintained in a fireplace, firepit or brazier that is at least 2.5m from a property boundary ; must be lit with the permission of the owner or occupier, must be fuelled by clean and dry combustible material and must not pose an unreasonable fire hazard.

Overgrown land

Open fires will be allowed on properties that are 3000sqm or more, but if they are lit after dusk they will need to be contained in a brazier, fireplace or firepit.

Rules governing stagnant or green pools and overgrown land that adversely affects visual amenity or is likely to present a health and safety risk will also give Council officers the power to issue compliance notices if the laws are passed.

Other proposals include regulating feeding wild animals, stipulating that a person must not feed a wild animal in a way that causes, or may case, a relevant nuisance and that Council no longer prescribes noise conditions for objects such as pools, instead relying on State Government laws to regulate noise.

To find out the status of each law and view the documents visit Council's Your Say web page.

How to have your say

Submissions can be lodged:

• Online by completing the online survey on Council's web page
• By emailing the submission to local.laws@moretonbay.qld.gov.au; or
• By writing to Council with your submission at:
  Local Laws Review Project Team
  Moreton Bay Regional Council
  PO Box 159 Caboolture QLD 4510

Public consultation ends on May 14.