AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

CARELESS USE OF FIRE ORDINANCE 1967

Explanatory Memorandum

No. 11 of 1967

	The provisions of the Careless Use of Fire Ordinance 1936 – 1966 relating to the lighting of fires in the area prescribed in the Ordinance as a built-up area, in practice the City of Canberra, are considered to be inappropriate.  At present, during a prescribed period fires can only be lit in such an area under permit from the Chief Fire Officer.

	Legislation controlling the lighting of fires in New South Wales has been progressively relaxed and as an interim measure it has been decided to introduce the comparative provisions of the New South Wales legislation in relation to the lighting of fires in built-up areas.

	The Careless Use of Fire Ordinance 1967 provides that a person may light a fire in a built-up area during a prescribed period in the following circumstances:

	(i)	at any time in a properly constructed fireplace for the purpose 	of cooking food; or to use a cooking appliance at any time in 	the open for the same purpose.

	(ii)	at any time in a properly constructed incinerator designed to 	prevent the escape of any sparks or incandescent material.

	(iii)	upon ground where all inflammable material whatsoever within 	15 feet of all points of the site has first been cleared, but only 	during the hours 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

The fire hazard during the hours from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. is considerably reduced due to cooler air temperature, lighter winds and earlier detection should a fire break out.

	A total fire ban will continue to apply on days of acute fire danger, that is, the provisions of section 7A of the Ordinance will continue to apply without amendment.

           C. R. K.
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  (Minister’s Initials)