Source: http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/fullhtml/inforce/act+67+2002+ed+0+Y
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Matched Legal Cases: ['art 8', 'art 4', 'art 3', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 5', 'art 5', 'art 5', 'art 5', 'art.\n100', 'art.100', 'art 5', 'art 5', 'art 5', 'art 6', 'art 6', 'art 6', 'art 6', 'art 6', 'art 5', 'art 6', 'art 6', 'art 7', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2']

Rural Fires and Environmental Assessment Legislation Amendment Act 2002 No 67
Repealed version for 10 July 2002 to 21 July 2003 (accessed 21 May 2013 at 08:24).
3 Amendment of Environmental Planning and Assessment Act
1979 No 203
4 Amendment of Rural Fires
Act 1997 No 65
5 Amendment of other instruments
Schedule 1 Amendment of Environmental Planning and Assessment Act
Schedule 2 Amendments to Rural Fires Act 1997 relating to
Schedule 3 Amendments to Rural Fires Act 1997 relating to
bush fire prone land and bush fire hazard reduction
Schedule 4 Other amendments to Rural Fires Act 1997
Schedule 5 Amendment of other instruments
An Act to amend the Rural Fires
Act 1997 and the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act
1979 with respect to bush fire prone lands, bush fire hazards
and bush fire emergencies; and for other purposes.1 Name of ActThis Act is the Rural Fires and
Environmental Assessment Legislation Amendment Act
1979 No 203The Environmental Planning and
Assessment Act 1979 is amended as set out in Schedule
1.4 Amendment of Rural Fires
Act 1997 No 65The Rural Fires Act
1997 is amended as set out in Schedules
2–4.5 Amendment of other instrumentsThe Acts and instruments in Schedule 5 are amended as set out in
that Schedule.Schedule 1 Amendment of Environmental Planning and Assessment Act
1979(Section 3)[1] Section 4 DefinitionsInsert in alphabetical order in section 4 (1): bush fire prone land, in relation to an area,
means land recorded for the time being as bush fire prone land on a bush fire
prone land map for the area.bush fire prone land map for an area means a
map for the area certified as referred to in section 146
(2).[2] Section 79BAInsert after section 79B: 79BA Consultation and development consent—certain bush
Protection 2001 produced by the NSW Rural Fire Service (or, if
another document is prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this
paragraph, that document), that are relevant to the development,
(b) the consent authority has consulted with the Commissioner of the
NSW Rural Fire Service concerning measures to be taken with respect to the
development to protect persons, property and the environment from danger that
may arise from a bush fire.
(2) In this section:special fire protection purpose has the same
meaning as it has in section 100B of the Rural Fires Act
1997.[3] Section 91 What is “integrated
development”?Insert in appropriate order in the Table to section 91 (1): Rural Fires Act
1997s 100Bauthorisation under section 100B in respect of bush
fire safety of subdivision of land that could lawfully be used for residential
or rural residential purposes or development of land for special fire
protection purposes[4] Section 146Insert after the heading to Part 8: 146 Bush fire prone land(1) If a bush fire risk management plan applies to land within the
area of a council, the council must, within 12 months after the commencement
of this section (and before the end of the period of every 5 years after the
commencement):(a) request the Commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service to
designate land (if any) within the area that the Commissioner considers,
having regard to the bush fire risk management plan, to be bush fire prone
(b) must record any land so designated on a
(2) The Commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service must, if satisfied
that the land designated by the Commissioner has been recorded by the council
on a map, certify the map as a bush fire prone land map for the area of the
council.(3) Land recorded for the time being as bush fire prone land on a bush
fire prone land map for an area is bush fire prone land for the area for the
purposes of this or any other Act.(4) The bush fire prone land map for an area is to be available for
public inspection during normal office hours for the
council.(5) In this section:bush fire risk management plan has the same
meaning as it has in the Rural Fires Act
1997.Note. Division 8 of Part 4 of the Rural Fires Act 1997 contains
provisions relating to the carrying out of development and bush fire hazard
reduction work on bush fire prone land.[5] Schedule 6 Savings, transitional and other
provisionsInsert at the end of clause 1 (1): Rural Fires and Environmental
Assessment Legislation Amendment Act
2002[6] Schedule 6Insert the following Part (appropriately numbered) at the end of
the Schedule: Part Rural Fires and
2002Bush fire prone land(1) The following land within the area of a council is taken to be
bush fire prone land for the area of the council until a bush fire prone land
map for the area has been certified by the Commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire
Service under section 146:(a) land that is within, or within 100 metres of, a high or medium
bush fire hazard that is identified on a hazard map prepared for the purposes
of a bush fire risk management plan applying to the land,
(b) land within, or within 30 metres of, a low bush fire hazard that
is identified on a hazard map prepared for the purposes of a bush fire risk
management plan applying to the land.
(2) In this clause:bush fire risk management plan has the same
1997.Schedule 2 Amendments to Rural Fires Act 1997 relating to
performance audit(Section 4)[1] Section 48 Functions of Bush Fire Co-ordinating
CommitteeInsert after section 48 (2): (2A) The Bush Fire Co-ordinating Committee may request the Commissioner
to conduct a performance audit under section 62A with respect to
implementation of bush fire risk management plans generally or for a specified
rural fire district or other part of the State.[2] Section 51 Functions of Bush Fire Management
CommitteesInsert after section 51 (1): (1A) A Bush Fire Management Committee must, within 2 months after the
end of each financial year, report to the Bush Fire Co-ordinating Committee on
implementation of each bush fire risk management plan in force for the rural
fire district or other part of the State for which the Bush Fire Management
Committee is constituted.[3] Part 3, Division 6Insert after Division 5: Division 6 General62A Performance audit of implementation of bush fire risk
management plans(1) The Commissioner may conduct a performance audit of the
implementation of bush fire risk management plans generally in the State or
for a specified rural fire district or other part of the
State.(2) The Commissioner may conduct a performance audit on the
Commissioner’s own initiative or at the request of the Bush Fire
Co-ordinating Committee under section 48 (2A).(3) Without limiting the powers the Commissioner may exercise under
subsection (1), the Commissioner may make such enquiries as the Commissioner
considers fit to determine whether or not bush fire hazard reduction work has
been carried out in accordance with any bush fire risk management plan that
applies to the land.(4) The annual report of the Service prepared under the Annual Reports (Departments) Act
1985 must include details of the number, and results, of
performance audits carried out under this section in the year to which the
report relates.Schedule 3 Amendments to Rural Fires Act 1997 relating to
bush fire prone land and bush fire hazard reduction(Section 4)[1] Section 14 Delegation by CommissionerInsert at the end of the section: (2) The Commissioner may delegate to the Commissioner of New South
Wales Fire Brigades any of the Commissioner’s functions under the
following provisions, but only to the extent that the functions are
exercisable in respect of land within a fire district:(a) section 73 (Bush fire hazard reduction by
(b) section 100B (Bush fire safety authorities),
(c) section 79BA (Consultation and development consent—certain
bush fire prone land) of the Environmental
(d) section 146 (Bush fire prone land) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act
[2] Section 66 Bush fire hazard reduction work required by
local authoritiesInsert after section 66 (2): (2A) The local authority must issue a bush fire hazard reduction
certificate in respect of any bush fire hazard reduction work required by a
notice issued in accordance with subsection (2).[3] Section 73Omit the section. Insert instead: 73 Bush fire hazard reduction by Commissioner(1) The Commissioner may carry out bush fire hazard reduction work on
land:(a) if the work has not been carried out on land by a public authority
or owner or occupier of land when, or in the manner, required by a bush fire
risk management plan, or
(b) if, in the opinion of the Commissioner, a public authority or
owner or occupier of land has not properly performed a duty under section 63
to take notified steps, or any other practicable steps, that is imposed on the
public authority or owner or occupier, or
(c) if the work has not been carried out by a public authority when,
or in the manner, required by the Commissioner under section
(2) Any costs incurred by the Commissioner in carrying out such work
(including costs incurred in obtaining the approval of any local or public
authority under any other law to carry out the work) may be recovered from the
responsible person or authority as a debt due to the Crown in a court of
competent jurisdiction.(3) Before carrying out any bush fire hazard reduction work under this
section, the Commissioner must certify a bush fire hazard reduction
certificate in respect of the work in accordance with section
100G.(4) In this section:responsible person or authority means a public
authority or owner or occupier of land referred to in subsection
(1).[4] Section 74Omit the section. Insert instead: 74 Bush fire hazard reduction reports(1) Each local authority must report to the Commissioner not later
than 3 months after the end of the financial year on its activities in respect
of bush fire hazard reduction work during the preceding year on land (other
than managed land) in its area.(2) The report must include the following information:(a) details of the extent of implementation of any scheme for the
reduction of bush fire hazards on land in its area (other than managed land
and unoccupied Crown land) set out in a bush fire risk management plan that
applies to the land,
(b) the number of inspections relating to bush fire hazards carried
(c) the number of bush fire hazard reduction notices issued by the
local authority in respect of the land,
(d) details of any objections lodged against such notices and of
whether they were confirmed, varied or withdrawn,
(e) the number of bush fire hazard reduction works carried out by the
local authority under section 70,
(f) details of bush fire hazard reduction certificates issued by the
(g) information about such other matters (if any) as are prescribed by
(3) Each public authority that is responsible for managed land must
report to the Commissioner not later than 3 months after the end of the
financial year on its activities to reduce bush fire hazards on the managed
land during the preceding financial year.(4) The report is to include details of the extent of implementation
of any scheme for the reduction of bush fire hazards on managed land for which
the public authority is responsible set out in a bush fire risk management
plan that applies to the land.(5) The annual report of the Service prepared under the Annual Reports (Departments) Act
1985 must include details of information contained in reports
under this section for the year to which the annual report
relates.[5] Part 4, Division 2AInsert after section 74: Division 2A Bush fire hazard complaints74A Bush fire hazard complaints(1) A complaint may be made under this Division that a bush fire
hazard exists on land because of the failure of a public authority or owner or
occupier of the land to carry out bush fire hazard reduction work on the land
(a bush fire hazard complaint).(2) A bush fire hazard complaint may be made whether or not the public
authority or owner or occupier concerned has a duty under section 63 to carry
out the work.74B Who may make a bush fire hazard complaintA bush fire hazard complaint may be made by any owner or occupier
of land adjacent to or in the vicinity of the land to which the complaint
relates.74C How and to whom are complaints to be made(1) A bush fire hazard complaint is to be made by giving it, or
sending it by post:(a) if the complaint relates to unoccupied Crown land or managed land
for which a public authority is responsible—to the Commissioner,
(b) in the case of any other land—to the local authority of the
local government area in which the land is located.
(2) A bush fire hazard complaint must be made in writing, must
identify the complainant and must state the grounds for the
complaint.(3) A local authority must notify the Commissioner of any complaint
made to it under this Division.(4) Written notice of the making of the complaint and the grounds of
the complaint are to be given to the owner or occupier or public authority
responsible for the land to which the complaint relates as soon as practicable
after receipt of the complaint.74D Investigation of complaint(1) The Commissioner or local authority must investigate the bush fire
hazard complaint as soon as practicable after it is
received.(2) The Commissioner or local authority may investigate the complaint
as the Commissioner or local authority thinks fit.(3) Without limiting subsection (2), the Commissioner or a local
authority (or a person authorised by the Commissioner or local authority) may,
for the purpose of forming an opinion as to whether a bush fire hazard exists
on the land to which the complaint relates, enter during the daytime any part
of the land (other than a dwelling-house) that it is necessary to inspect in
order to form that opinion.(4) The Commissioner or local authority may decline to deal with a
complaint, or dismiss a complaint, that the Commissioner or local authority
considers to be vexatious, misconceived, frivolous or lacking in
substance.(5) The Commissioner or local authority is to notify the complainant
if the Commissioner or local authority declines to deal with, or dismisses,
the complaint.74E Action that may be taken by local authority if bush fire
hazard existsA local authority that finds that a bush fire hazard exists on
land to which a bush fire hazard complaint relates:(a) may serve a notice under section 66 on the owner or occupier of
the land if no bush fire hazard reduction notice has been served on the owner
or occupier of the land, or
(b) must, subject to sections 67 and 68, exercise its powers under
section 70 in respect of the land if a bush fire hazard reduction notice has
been served on the owner or occupier of the land.
74F Action that may be taken by Commissioner if bush fire
hazard exists(1) If the Commissioner finds that a bush fire hazard exists on land
to which a complaint made to the Commissioner relates because a public
authority has failed to take notified steps, or otherwise perform a duty
imposed on it as referred to in section 63, the Commissioner may, by notice in
writing served on the public authority require it to carry out such bush fire
hazard reduction work as is specified by the
Commissioner.(2) If the public authority fails to carry out the specified work
within a reasonable time after service of the notice, the Commissioner may
carry out bush fire hazard reduction work on the land under section
73.74G Complainant to be notified of action taken(1) The Commissioner or local authority must advise the complainant of
action taken by the Commissioner or authority in respect of the complaint as
soon as practicable after it is taken.(2) The local authority must advise the Commissioner of action taken
by it in respect of the complaint as soon as practicable after it is
taken.74H Failure of local authority to take action(1) A complainant may, by notice in writing given or sent by post to
the Commissioner, request the Commissioner to take action under this section
if the complainant considers that the local authority has failed to exercise
its powers under this Division in respect of the
complaint.(2) If the Commissioner is satisfied that a local authority has failed
to deal with a bush fire hazard complaint, the Commissioner may investigate
the complaint.(3) The Commissioner may deal with a complaint whether or not a notice
has been served under subsection (1).(4) If the Commissioner finds that a bush fire hazard exists on land
to which the complaint relates, the Commissioner may, by notice in writing
served on the local authority, require it:(a) to serve a notice under section 66 on the owner or occupier of the
land if no bush fire hazard reduction notice has been served on the owner or
(b) subject to sections 67 and 68, to exercise its powers under
(5) A local authority served with a notice under this section must
comply with the requirements of the notice.[6] Section 76 Notices to repair or restore dividing
fencesOmit section 76 (6).[7] Section 80 Entry to certain land to establish fire
breaksOmit the section.[8] Section 86 Notice and certain authorities required before
certain fires litInsert after section 86 (1): (1A) A person who lights a fire on land for the purpose of land
clearance or for burning any fire break is guilty of an offence unless:(a) a bush fire hazard reduction certificate has been issued in
respect of the land clearance or fire break, or
(b) any approval, consent or other authority required for the land
clearance or fire break under the Environmental Planning
Assessment Act 1979 or any other law has been
or both.[9] Section 89 Issue of permitsInsert at the end of the section: (2) An appropriate authority must not issue a fire permit for a
purpose unless:(a) a bush fire hazard reduction certificate has been issued in
respect of the purpose, or
(b) any approval, consent or other authority required for the purpose
under the Environmental Planning Assessment Act
1979 or any other law has been
[10] Section 92 Conditions of permitInsert after section 92 (1) (a): (a1) any condition imposed by a bush fire hazard reduction certificate
or as a condition of any approval, consent or other authority given by or
under any other Act that is required to be obtained in relation to the
lighting of a fire, and
[11] Part 4, Division 8Insert after Division 7 of Part 4: Division 8 Development of bush fire prone land and for bush
fire hazard reductionSubdivision 1 Definitions100A Definitions(1) In this Division:bush fire code means a bush fire environmental
assessment code in force under this Division.bush fire safety authority means an authority
given by the Commissioner under section 100B and that is in
force.certifying authority means a certifying
authority described in section 100E.excluded land means the following:(a) land to which State
Environmental Planning Policy No 14—Coastal Wetlands
(b) land to which State
Environmental Planning Policy No 26—Littoral
Rainforests applies,
(c) any other land prescribed by the
issuing authority means the issuing authority
described in section 100E.managed land means land:(a) that is dedicated or reserved, or acquired for the purpose of
dedication or reservation, under the Forestry Act 1916, or in respect of
which the Forestry Commission has obtained the benefit of a forestry right as
referred to in section 11 (1) (m) (iia) of that Act, or
(b) that is dedicated or reserved, or acquired for the purpose of
dedication or reservation, under the National Parks and Wildlife Act
(c) that is vested in, or under the control of, the State Rail
Authority, Rail Infrastructure Corporation or the Roads and Traffic Authority,
(d) that is within the catchment area of a water
private land means land other than managed land
and unoccupied Crown land.(2) Expressions used in this Division that are used in the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act
1979 have the meanings set out in that
Act.Subdivision 2 Bush fire prone land100B Bush fire safety authorities(1) The Commissioner may issue a bush fire safety authority
for:(a) a subdivision of bush fire prone land that could lawfully be used
for residential or rural residential purposes, or
(b) development of bush fire prone land for a special fire protection
(2) A bush fire safety authority authorises development for a purpose
referred to in subsection (1) to the extent that it complies with standards
regarding setbacks, provision of water supply and other matters considered by
the Commissioner to be necessary to protect persons, property or the
environment from danger that may arise from a bush
fire.(3) A person must obtain such a bush fire safety authority before
developing bush fire prone land for a purpose referred to in subsection
(1).(4) Application for a bush fire safety authority is to be made to the
Commissioner in accordance with the regulations.(5) Development to which subsection (1) applies:(a) does not include the carrying out of internal alterations to any
(b) is not complying development for the purposes of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act
1979, despite any environmental planning
(6) In this section:special fire protection purpose means the
purpose of the following:(a) a school,
(b) a child care centre,
(c) a hospital (including a hospital for the mentally ill or mentally
disordered),
(d) a hotel, motel or other tourist accommodation,
(e) a building wholly or principally used as a home or other
establishment for mentally incapacitated persons,
(f) housing for older people or people with disabilities within the
meaning of State Environmental
Planning Policy No 5—Housing for Older People or People with a
(g) a group home within the meaning of State Environmental Planning Policy No
9—Group Homes,
(h) a retirement village,
(i) any other purpose prescribed by the
Subdivision 3 Bush fire hazard reduction100C Carrying out of bush fire hazard reduction
work(1) An environmental planning instrument under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act
1979 cannot prohibit, require development consent for or
otherwise restrict the doing of:(a) emergency bush fire hazard reduction work on any land,
(b) managed bush fire hazard reduction work on land other than
(2) Part 5 of the Environmental
Planning and Assessment Act 1979 does not apply to or in
respect of emergency bush fire hazard reduction work carried out on any
land.(3) Part 5 of the Environmental
respect of managed bush fire hazard reduction work carried out on land other
than excluded land if:(a) the work is carried out in accordance with a bush fire risk
management plan that applies to the land, and
(b) there is a bush fire hazard reduction certificate in force in
respect of the work and the work is carried out in accordance with any
conditions specified in the certificate, and
(c) the work is carried out in accordance with the provisions of a
bush fire code applying to the land specified in the
Note. If work to which Part 5 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act
1979 would apply but for this subsection is not carried out in
accordance with this subsection, the person carrying out the work will be in
breach of that Act.(4) Bush fire hazard reduction work may be carried out on land despite
any requirement for an approval, consent or other authorisation for the work
made by the Native Vegetation Conservation
Act 1997, the Threatened
Species Conservation Act 1995, the National Parks and Wildlife Act
1974 or any other Act or instrument made under an Act
if:(a) the work is carried out in accordance with a bush fire risk
(c) the work is carried out in accordance with the provisions of any
(5) Subsection (4) does not apply to an integrated forestry operations
approval within the meaning of the Forestry
and National Park Estate Act 1998.100D What is a bush fire hazard reduction
certificate?A bush fire hazard reduction certificate is a certificate that
authorises the carrying out of bush fire hazard reduction work on land in
accordance with:(a) a bush fire risk management plan that applies to the land,
(b) the provisions of any bush fire code applying to the land
specified in the certificate, and
(c) any conditions specified in the
100E Issuing and certifying authorities(1) The issuing authority for a bush fire hazard
reduction certificate in respect of bush fire hazard reduction work to be
carried out on private land by a person other than the Commissioner or a local
authority is the local authority of the area in which the land is
situated.(2) The certifying authority for a bush fire hazard
carried out:(a) on any land by the Commissioner—is the
(b) on any land by a local authority—is the local authority for
the area in which the land is situated,
(c) on managed land or unoccupied Crown land by a public
authority—is the public authority responsible for the
100F Issue by local authorities of bush fire hazard reduction
certificates(1) An application for a bush fire hazard reduction certificate in
respect of work to be carried out on private land by a person other than a
local authority or the Commissioner is to be made to the issuing authority in
writing in accordance with the regulations (if
any).(2) An application may be made:(a) by any owner or occupier of the private land,
(b) if the work is to be carried out on the private land by a public
authority responsible for managed or unoccupied Crown land in the vicinity of
the private land—by the public authority.
(3) A single application may, with the consent of all owners or
occupiers of the land concerned:(a) be made for land owned or occupied by more than one person,
(b) be made by a public authority on behalf of those owners or
(4) A bush fire hazard reduction certificate must not be issued
unless:(a) a bush fire risk management plan applies to the land,
(b) the issuing authority has taken into consideration the provisions
of any bush fire code applying to the land and determined which of them should
be complied with in carrying out the work and whether any conditions should be
imposed having regard to the code.
(5) The issuing authority may determine an application:(a) by issuing a bush fire hazard reduction certificate,
(b) by refusing to issue a bush fire hazard reduction
(6) A bush fire hazard reduction certificate must:(a) specify the provisions of any bush fire code applying to the land
that the issuing authority has determined should be complied with in carrying
out the work, and
(b) specify any other conditions that have been imposed by the issuing
authority having regard to that bush fire code, and
(c) specify as a condition of the issue that notice be given to the
fire control officer for the district in which the land is situated before the
work is carried out and to any other person prescribed by the
(7) The determination of an application must be completed within 7
days (or such longer period as may be agreed to by the applicant) after
lodgment of the application.(8) There is no right of appeal against the determination of, or a
failure or refusal to determine, an application for a bush fire hazard
reduction certificate.Note. If a bush fire hazard reduction certificate is not obtained, bush
fire hazard reduction work may still be carried out but only if any approvals,
consents or other authorisations that would have been required to be obtained
but for section 100C are obtained.(9) A local authority or public authority must not charge any fee in
respect of an application for, or the issue of, a bush fire hazard reduction
certificate.100G Bush fire hazard reduction certificates of certifying
authorities(1) Before a certifying authority carries out any bush fire hazard
reduction work on land, the certifying authority must certify:(a) that a bush fire risk management plan applies to the land,
(b) that the certifying authority has taken into consideration the
provisions of any bush fire code applying to the land and determined which of
them should be complied with in carrying out the work and whether any
conditions should be imposed having regard to any provisions of that code,
(c) if the certifying authority is a local authority or a public
authority, that the notice will be given to the fire control officer for the
district in which the land is situated before the work is carried out and to
(2) A bush fire hazard reduction certificate certified by a certifying
authority must:(a) specify the provisions of any bush fire code applying to the land
that the certifying authority has determined should be complied with in
carrying out the work, and
(b) specify any conditions that have been imposed by the certifying
authority having regard to that bush fire code.
100H Remedy and restraint for breaches of sections 100F and
100G(1) Any person may bring proceedings in the Land and Environment Court
for an order to remedy or restrain a breach of section 100F or 100G, whether
or not any right of that person has been or may be infringed by or as a
consequence of that breach.(2) Proceedings under this section may be brought by a person on his
or her own behalf or on behalf of himself or herself and on behalf of other
persons (with their consent), or a body corporate or unincorporated (with the
consent of its committee or other controlling or governing body), having like
or common interests in those proceedings.(3) Any person on whose behalf proceedings are brought is entitled to
incurred by the person bringing the proceedings.100I Duration of bush fire hazard reduction
certificateA bush fire hazard reduction certificate becomes effective and
operates for a period of 12 months commencing on the date endorsed on the
certificate.Subdivision 4 Bush fire environmental assessment
codes100J Commissioner may prepare draft codes(1) The Minister may cause to be prepared by the Commissioner for
submission to the Minister a draft bush fire environmental assessment code in
relation to land (other than excluded land).(2) A draft bush fire environmental assessment code may refer to, or
incorporate with or without modification, a document prepared or published by
time.(3) In preparing a draft bush fire environmental assessment code in
relation to land, the Commissioner must have regard to:(a) the principles of ecologically sustainable development (as
described by section 6 (2) of the Protection
of the Environment Administration Act 1991),
(b) any matter likely to affect the environment by reason of the
carrying out of bush fire hazard reduction works on the land that a
determining authority would be required to consider under section 111 of the
1979 (but for this Division) if Part 5 of that Act were
applicable to the work and the carrying out of the works were an activity
within the meaning of that Part.
100K Consultation on draft codes(1) The Commissioner must, in preparing a draft bush fire
environmental assessment code, consult with, and take into account any
recommendations made by or on behalf of the following:(a) the Director-General of the Department of
(b) the Director-General of National Parks and
(c) the Managing Director of State Forests,
(d) the Nature Conservation Council of New South
(e) the NSW Farmers Association,
(f) the Local Government Association of New South
(g) the Shires Association of New South Wales,
(h) the Director of NSW Fisheries,
(i) the Commissioner of NSW Fire Brigades,
(j) the Director-General of the Department of Land and Water
(2) The Commissioner may consult with such other persons or bodies as
the Commissioner considers appropriate or as the Minister
directs.100L Public participation in preparation of codes(1) The Commissioner must give public notice of and exhibit, for the
purpose of receiving submissions from any interested persons, any draft bush
fire environmental assessment code prepared by the
Commissioner.(2) A draft bush fire environmental assessment code must be exhibited
for at least 42 days. The Commissioner must exhibit with it any other matter
that the Commissioner considers appropriate or necessary to better enable the
draft code and its implications to be understood.(3) After considering all submissions received concerning the draft
bush fire environmental assessment code, the Commissioner may amend the draft
code or submit it without amendment to the Minister for
approval.100M Approval of codeThe Minister may, after consultation with the Minister for the
Environment, the Minister for Planning and such other Ministers as the
Minister considers appropriate, approve a draft bush fire environmental
assessment code as a bush fire code for the purposes of this
Part.100N Publication, commencement and availability of
codes(1) A draft bush fire environmental assessment code:(a) is to be published in the Gazette, and
(b) takes effect as a bush fire environmental assessment code on the
day on which it is published or, if a later day is specified in the code for
that purpose, on the later day so specified.
(2) The following are to be made available without charge for public
inspection during normal office hours for the council of the area to which a
bush fire code relates:(a) a copy of the code,
(b) if the code has been amended, a copy of the code as so
(c) if the code refers to or incorporates any other document prepared
or published by a specified body, a copy of each such
100O Amendment or revocation of codesA bush fire code may be amended or revoked by an instrument
prepared, approved, publicly exhibited and published in accordance with the
relevant procedures of this Part with respect to
codes.[12] Schedule 3, Part 5Insert after clause 19: Part 5 Provisions consequent on enactment of Rural Fires and Environmental Assessment Legislation
Amendment Act 200220 DefinitionIn this Part:amending Act means the Rural Fires and Environmental Assessment Legislation
Amendment Act 2002.21 Savings in respect of planning matters(1) The amendment made by Schedule 3 [11] to the amending Act does not
affect:(a) any development consent granted under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act
1979 before the commencement of that amendment or any
development carried out in accordance with such a consent,
(b) any activity to which Part 5 of that Act applies (or any approval
for the carrying out of such activity) if the provisions of that Part were
complied with for that activity before the commencement of that
(2) If an application for development consent has been made but not
been finally determined on the commencement of Schedule 3 [11] to the amending
Act, the amendment made by Schedule 3 [11] does not apply to the determination
of the application or to any development carried out in accordance with a
development consent granted on the determination of the
application.(3) Despite subclause (2), the Minister for Planning may, by notice
served on the consent authority, direct that all or any provisions inserted by
the amendment apply to the determination of the
application.(4) Despite subclause (2), if an appeal relating to an application
referred to in that subclause has been made to the Land and Environment Court,
the Court may, by order, direct that all or any provisions inserted by the
amendment apply to the determination of the
application.22 Agreements about review of incidence of bush fire
hazardsAny agreement entered into by the Commissioner under section 12A
in relation to the functions of a local authority under section 74 (1), as in
force before the commencement of Schedule 3 [4] to the amending Act, ceases to
have effect on that commencement.[13] DictionaryInsert in alphabetical order: bush fire hazard complaint means a complaint
under section 74A.bush fire hazard reduction certificate means a
certificate referred to in section 100D.bush fire prone land has the same meaning as it
has in the Environmental Planning and
Assessment Act 1979.managed bush fire hazard reduction work means
bush fire hazard reduction work that is carried out in accordance with a bush
fire risk management plan.Schedule 4 Other amendments to Rural Fires Act 1997(Section 4)[1] Section 22 General powers of rural fire brigade officers
and othersOmit “persons or property” from section 22
(1).Insert instead “persons, property or the
environment”.[2] Section 28 Damage to property and the
environmentInsert “and any remedial work necessary to rectify damage to
the environment” after “good faith” in section 28
(1).[3] Section 69 Duties of local authorityOmit “The fire control officer for a local authority”
from section 69 (1).Insert instead “A fire control
officer”.[4] Section 69 (1)Omit “by the local”. Insert instead “by a
local”.[5] Section 82Omit the section. Insert instead: 82 Local bush fire danger period(1) The Commissioner may, by notice published in a newspaper
circulating generally in a local government area:(a) declare that there is no bush fire danger period in the area or
part of the area, or
(b) specify a different period to that set out in section 81 as the
bush fire danger period for the area or part of the
(2) A declaration may be made on the Commissioner’s own
initiative or on the recommendation of a Bush Fire Management Committee for
the area.(3) As soon as practicable after publishing a notice under subsection
(1), the Commissioner is to publish a copy of the notice in the
Gazette.(4) Despite section 81, if a declaration is made in accordance with
this section specifying a different bush fire danger period in relation to any
area or part of an area, the bush fire danger period in that area or part is
the period specified in the declaration.(5) A declaration remains in force:(a) until it is revoked, or
(b) for such period as is specified in the declaration (unless it is
sooner revoked).
[6] Section 83Omit the section. Insert instead: 83 Consultation required before local bush fire danger period
declaration made(1) The Commissioner must, before making a declaration under section
82 that is to have effect only for the bush fire danger period occurring when
the declaration is made, consult with and take into account any
recommendations made:(a) by the local authority for any area to which the declaration
(b) by any fire fighting authority exercising functions in the rural
fire district or fire district constituted for the
(2) The Commissioner must, before making a declaration under section
82 on the Commissioner’s own initiative that is to have effect for a
period or periods subsequent to the bush fire danger period occurring when the
declaration is made, consult with and take into account any recommendations
made by the Bush Fire Management Committee for the
area.[7] Section 84Omit the section.[8] Section 85 DefinitionsOmit paragraph (a) and the note to the paragraph from the
authority.Insert instead: (a) in the case of land in a rural fire district—the
[9] Section 85, definition of “appropriate
authority”Omit paragraphs (b) and (d).[10] Section 86 Notice required before certain fires
litInsert after section 86 (2): Note. An authorised officer is not required to obtain various other
approvals or authorities if carrying out an emergency fire fighting
act—see Part 6A.[11] Section 87 Lighting fires for land clearance or fire
breaks in bush fire danger periodInsert after section 87 (2): Note. An authorised officer is not required to obtain various other
act—see Part 6A.[12] Section 88 Lighting fires that are dangerous to
buildings in fire districts and rural fire districtsOmit “local government area that is in a fire
district” from section 88 (1).Insert instead “fire district or rural fire
district”.[13] Section 88 (1) (a)Omit “an officer of New South Wales Fire
Brigades”.Insert instead “the appropriate
authority”.[14] Section 88 (2)Omit “local government area that is in a fire
district” from section 88 (2).Insert instead “fire district or rural fire
district”.[15] Section 88 (2), noteInsert after section 88 (2): Note. An authorised officer is not required to obtain various other
act—see Part 6A.[16] Section 93 Refusal to issue fire permitOmit “if the appropriate authority is a local
authority—the local authority” from section 93 (b).Insert instead “the appropriate
authority”.[17] Section 94 Notice to be given of issue of fire
permitOmit section 94 (1).[18] Section 95 Permit not required for fires lit by public
authoritiesOmit “a local” from section 95 (2) (a). Insert instead
“an”.[19] Section 96 Appropriate authorities not determining
authoritiesOmit section 96 (2).[20] Section 97 Reporting requirementsOmit section 97 (1). Insert instead: (1) Within 2 months (or such other period as the Bush Fire
Co-ordinating Committee specifies) after the end of the financial year, the
Commissioner must report to the Bush Fire Co-ordinating Committee with respect
to fire permits issued by appropriate authorities during the
year.[21] Section 97 (2) (a)Omit the paragraph. Insert instead: (a) details of the circumstances surrounding the lighting of any bush
fires in the area of an appropriate authority that appear to have been caused
by the lighting of a fire authorised by a fire permit issued by the
appropriate authority, and
[22] Part 6AInsert after section 124: Part 6A Application of other legislationDivision 1 Application of other legislation to emergency fire
fighting acts124A Application of Environmental Planning and Assessment Act
1979(1) An environmental planning instrument made under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act
otherwise restrict the doing of any emergency fire fighting
act.(2) Part 5 of the Environmental
respect of any emergency fire fighting act.(3) An order under Division 2A or 3 of Part 6 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act
1979 does not have effect to the extent that it prevents or
interferes with the doing of any emergency fire fighting
act.(4) Subsection (1) applies to an environmental planning instrument
made before or after the commencement of this
section.124B Application of National Parks and Wildlife Act
1974 and Threatened Species
Conservation Act 1995(1) Part 6A (Stop work orders and interim protection orders) of the
1974 does not apply to or in respect of the doing of an
emergency fire fighting act.(2) A person does not harm fauna for the purposes of section 45, 70,
98, 99 or 100 of the National Parks and
Wildlife Act 1974 if the harm is caused by the doing of any
emergency fire fighting act by the person.(3) Division 1 of Part 7 (Stop work orders) of the Threatened Species Conservation Act
1995 does not apply to or in respect of the doing of any
emergency fire fighting act.124C Application of Local Government Act ordersAn order under section 124 of the Local Government Act 1993 does not
have effect to the extent that it prevents or interferes with the doing of any
emergency fire fighting act.[23] Schedule 3 Savings, transitional and other
Assessment Legislation Amendment Act 2002, to the extent that
it amends this Act[24] Schedule 3Insert the following clause (appropriately numbered) at the end of
the Schedule: Fire permitsA fire permit issued by the council of a local government area and
in force immediately before the commencement of the amendments made to section
88 by the Rural Fires and Environmental
Assessment Legislation Amendment Act 2002 is taken to be a
fire permit issued by the Commissioner.[25] DictionaryOmit “persons or property” from the definition of
burning.Insert instead “persons, property or the
environment”.[26] DictionaryInsert in alphabetical order: emergency bush fire hazard reduction work means
bush fire hazard reduction work carried out to protect persons, property or
the environment from an existing or imminent danger arising out of a
fire.emergency fire fighting act means anything
(other than emergency bush fire hazard reduction work) done or authorised to
be done by a fire fighting authority, during the course of bush fire fighting
operations, by or under this or any other Act.Schedule 5 Amendment of other instruments(Section 5)5.1 Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation
2000Schedule 4 Planning
certificatesInsert after clause 10: 11 Bush fire prone landThat land that is bush fire prone land is bush fire prone
land.5.2 Fisheries Management
Act 1994 No 38[1] Section 220ZF DefencesOmit “the Rural Fires Act
1997 or” from section 220ZF (1)
(c).[2] Section 220ZF (5)Insert after section 220ZF (4): (5) This section does not apply in relation to any thing authorised to
be done by or under the Rural Fires Act
1997 in relation to any emergency fire fighting act within the
meaning of that Act.[3] Section 220ZU Notification of, and consultation
concerning, proposed departures from recovery or threat abatement
planOmit “the Rural Fires Act
1997 or” from section 220ZU (5).[4] Section 220ZU (6)Insert after section 220ZU (5): (6) This section does not apply in relation to any thing authorised to
meaning of that Act.5.3 Land and Environment
Court Act 1979 No 204Section 20 Class
4—environmental planning and protection development contract civil
enforcementInsert after section 20 (1) (cj): (cja) proceedings under section 100H of the Rural Fires Act
5.4 Local Government Act
1993 No 30Section 22 Other
functionsOmit “declaration of bush fire danger periods and”
from the matter relating to the Rural Fires
Act 1997 in the note to the section.5.5 Native Vegetation
Conservation Act 1997 No 133[1] Section 5 Definition of “clearing”Insert after section 5 (4): (5) For the purposes of this Act, the clearing of land by burning
during a bush fire within the meaning of the Rural Fires Act 1997 does not affect
any requirement of this Act with respect to any subsequent clearing of the
land (whether by burning or otherwise).[2] Section 12 Clearing excluded from operation of
ActOmit “the Rural Fires Act
1997, or the State
Emergency and Rescue Management Act 1989,” from section
12 (a).Insert instead “the State
Emergency and Rescue Management Act
1989”.[3] Section 12 (a)Omit “the latter”. Insert instead
“that”.[4] Section 12 (a1)Insert after section 12 (a): (a1) any clearing authorised under the Rural Fires Act 1997 in relation to
any emergency fire fighting act within the meaning of that
5.6 National Parks and
Wildlife Act 1974 No 80[1] Section 91AA Director-General may make stop work
orderOmit “Part 2 of the Rural
Fires Act 1997 or” from section 91AA
(3).[2] Section 91AA (3A)Insert after section 91AA (3): (3A) This section does not apply in relation to any thing authorised to
meaning of that Act.[3] Section 118A Harming or picking threatened species,
populations or ecological communitiesOmit “Part 2 of the Rural
Fires Act 1997,” from section 118A
(3).[4] Section 118A (3A)Insert after section 118A (3): (3A) This section does not apply in relation to any thing authorised to
meaning of that Act.[5] Section 118D Damage habitat of threatened species,
Fires Act 1997,” from section 118D (2)
(c).[6] Section 118D (2A)Insert after section 118D (2): (2A) This section does not apply in relation to any thing authorised to
meaning of that Act.5.7 Rural
Fires Regulation 1997Clause 38 Reduction of
fire hazards on managed landOmit clause 38 (e).5.8 Threatened Species
Conservation Act 1995 No 101[1] Section 71 Notification of proposed departures from
recovery planOmit “Part 2 of the Rural
Fires Act 1997 or” from section 71
(3).[2] Section 71 (4)Insert after section 71 (3): (4) This section does not apply in relation to any thing authorised to
meaning of that Act.[3] Section 88 Notification of departures from threat
abatement planOmit “Part 2 of the Rural
Fires Act 1997 or” from section 88
(3).[4] Section 88 (4)Insert after section 88 (3): (4) This section does not apply in relation to any thing authorised to
meaning of that Act.[5] Section 114 Director General may make stop work
Fires Act 1997 or” from section 114 (3)
(b).[6] Section 114 (3A)Insert after section 114 (3): (3A) This section does not apply in relation to any thing authorised to
meaning of that Act.Historical notesThe following abbreviations are used in the Historical notes:
Am amended LW legislation website Sch Schedule Cl clause No number Schs Schedules Cll clauses p page Sec section Div Division pp pages Secs sections Divs Divisions Reg Regulation Subdiv Subdivision GG Government Gazette Regs Regulations Subdivs Subdivisions Ins inserted Rep repealed Subst substituted Table of amending instrumentsRural Fires and Environmental
Assessment Legislation Amendment Act 2002 No 67. Second
reading speech made: Legislative Assembly, 30.5.2002; Legislative Council,
19.6.2002. Assented to 10.7.2002. Date of commencement, 1.8.2002, sec 2 and GG
No 122 of 26.7.2002, p 5545.