Harvest and Vehicle Movement Bans 

A harvest ban is a temporary restriction placed on harvesting operations and off-road vehicle use during periods of elevated fire danger. These bans are enforced by local weather control officers during Restricted or Prohibited Burning Periods when weather conditions and other factors increase the risk of sparks from machinery or vehicles igniting a bushfire.

A ban may be implemented for many reasons but the most common include:

  • Severe or dangerous fire weather conditions
  • Reduced firefighting capacity due to ongoing emergency responses
  • Public holidays such as Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day, and Australia Day

A Harvest and Vehicle Movement Ban can remain in place for varying periods of time, although it is most commonly enforced during the hottest parts of the day. Depending on changes in weather conditions, the ban may be extended or lifted. Restrictions may apply across an entire Shire or only within specific zones.

These bans are typically declared when key fire risk indicators exceed designated thresholds, including:

  • Wind speed
  • Wind gust intensity
  • Low humidity levels
  • High temperatures
  • Dry fuel conditions and curing level

The Shire of Cuballing will use the following means of communication when broadcasting a Harvest ban;

  • SMS sent to names listed on the Shire’s Harvest Ban SMS
  • Harvest ban phone line answering service – 9883 6386
  • ABC Radio broadcasts at 10.05am, 12.35pm & 2.05pm
  • Contacting your local FCO
  • Updates to Shire of Cuballing Website and Facebook page

Harvest Ban SMS

The Shire of Cuballing uses a SMS notification system to advise community members when a harvest and vehicle movement ban is in place. To register your mobile, please complete the below online form or alternatively, contact the Shire administration office on (08) 9883 6031.

Multiple mobile numbers can be added at any one time but a first and last name is required for each mobile number. Should you wish to remove your mobile number from this service, please notify the Shire administration office. 

Harvest Ban Hotline 

During the Summer months, the Shire of Cuballing has the authority to impose a Harvest Ban and/or a Ban on the Movement of Vehicles in paddocks and the Use of Internal Combustion Engines.

To see whether the Shire has a Ban in place, please use the Harvest Ban Hotline on 9883 6386 which has a recorded message that is updated immediately after a Ban has been placed or removed.

Activities not permitted during a Harvest and Vehicle Movement ban 

The following are not permitted once a ban is in place under regulation 24C or Regulation 38A or 38C. 

  1. Harvesting operations are not permitted. 
  2. All off-road activity is banned, regardless of whether it is for agricultural purposes or work being conducted by business, industry and public authorities. 
  3. Off-road includes areas such as paddocks, bushland, uncleared land and land with stubble or long grass refer to regulation 24ZH(2)(b) of the Bush Fires Regulations 1954. 
  4. Off-road activity includes the use of anything activated by an internal combustion engine being used off-road. e.g. motorbikes, quad bikes, excavators, chain saws, ride on lawn mowers and generators. 

Activities permitted during a Harvest and Vehicle Movement ban 

The activities below are permitted during a Total Fire Ban and by decision of the FCO during a declaration under 38A or 38C.

  1. Use or operation of any vehicle on “gazette roads”, lanes, driveways, yards or other areas that provide access to, or a parking facility at, any residential, farming or business premises, if the area has been sufficiently cleared of inflammable material to prevent the escape of fire.
  2. Use or operation of a vehicle for the prevention of an immediate and serious risk to the health or safety of a person or livestock, and only if all reasonable precautions have been taken to prevent the activity from creating a bush fire danger.
  3. Urgent work on infrastructure carried out by an essential service can continue, but only when the prescribed conditions in Division 9 of the Bush Fires Regulations 1954 are complied with. Urgent works, in relation to infrastructure used in the provision of an essential service means repairs or maintenance necessary for the continued provision, or restoration, of the service.  Essential Services: water supply, sewerage or drainage services, electricity or gas services, telecommunications services, public transport services.

 Total Fire Bans 

A Total Fire Ban is declared by the Minister for Emergency Services (DFES) based on weather forecasts when there is a potential of adverse fire weather or when widespread fires are seriously stretching resources.
A Total Fire Ban will be declared on days when fires are most likely to be difficult to control and should a fire occur threaten lives and property. A Total Fire Ban will be declared for the whole day (24hours) and for the whole of local government, including townsites.

Activities not permitted during a Total Fire ban 

The following activities are NOT permitted during a total fire ban:

  • Using a barbecue, smoker or cooker that requires solid or liquid fuel such as methylated spirits, kerosene, wood, briquettes, wood pellets or charcoal in an area that is not fully enclosed. This includes wood fired pizza ovens, pellet smokers,  and kettle barbecues. Areas which are not fully enclosed and where you cannot use your cooker include undercover areas such as patios, pergolas and huts which are open or partially open to the weather.
  • Having a campfire, bonfire or light a fire for warmth or comfort. This includes backyard fires (44 gallon drum fire pits)
  • Any prescribed burning (vegetation burning, property burns, etc)
  • The outdoor use of a welder or power operated abrasive cutting discs of any kind is not allowed during a Total Fire Ban. This includes grinding, soldering, gas cutting and all other forms of ‘hot work’.
  • using a vehicle off-road such as in the bush, paddock or any land which contains vegetation (alive or dead). You can only use a vehicle on a road, track or in an area which does not contain vegetation i.e. sand, clay.
  • Using an incinerator
  • Using a hot air balloon
  • Use of a bee keeping smoker
  • It’s advised to turn off electric fencing
  • The use of sparklers

Activities permitted during a Total Fire ban 

The below activities are permitted during a total fire ban although, it is still advised to proceed with the below activities with caution.

  • Use of gas or electric BBQ
  • Use of Lawn mower, chainsaw, brush cutter/whipper snipper or slasher. This depends on how the equipment is powered. The operation of any equipment powered by an internal combustion engine on bush, crop, pasture or stubble (including residential grass/lawns) is not allowed.
  • Use of power tools, as long as said tools do not create a spark
  • Smoking cigarettes, cigars or tobacco
  • Harvesting activities so long as the Local Government has not imposed a Harvest or Vehicle Movement Ban
  • Use of a generator in an area cleared of vegetation
  • Use of firearms on rural properties

Exemptions to the Total Fire ban can be obtained by completing the online Application For Exemption. In most cases, exemptions are only applicable for business/companies performing activities that are listed under activities not permitted during a total fire ban.

Failure to comply with the conditions of a total fire ban can result in an infringement over $1000.00. Depending on the severity, fines up to $25,000.00 and 12 months jail time.

Further information can be found at Total fire ban - Department of Fire and Emergency Services

Helpful Documents 

Total Fire Ban Fact Sheet

Total Fire Ban Exceptions Sheet