Pile burning in the Hawkesbury

8 May 2024

Autumn and winter are seasons when many residents prepare and conduct their pile burns. All residents who plan to conduct a pile burn must read and comply with all open burning conditions, which includes filling out the online form at www.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au/_resources/forms/open-burning at least 24 hours before any intention to burn. All approvals are suspended on No Burn Days.

To gain approval to burn in the open, it must be land that is 4,000 square metres (one acre) or larger in size OR designated as Extreme Risk under the Hawkesbury Bush Fire Risk Management Plan

If your property does not satisfy either of the two criteria above, contact Council on 4560 4444 to discuss.

Burning can only be conducted between the hours of 8am and 5pm on any day. Fires must be put out by the end of the day and not left to smoulder overnight.

Piles must be constructed and burnt in accordance with the NSW RFS Pile Burn Standards, see www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/13323/Standards-for-Pile-Burning-V2.pdf

Residents who comply with Council’s open burning requirements are reminded that in urban areas where Fire and Rescue NSW is the appropriate authority, a permit from Fire and Rescue is required.

Residents are also reminded that only dead and dry vegetation that has accumulated on the property where the intended burn pile is to take place is to be burnt. Under no circumstances should plastics, cardboard or other waste materials be burnt in the open burn pile. Forty four gallon drums are discouraged for use unless for the purpose of recreational cooking purposes.

Council is currently reviewing the general approval process for pile burning. Once compiled, a draft version will be placed on public exhibition for comment.

For more information, and the online form, see www.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au/_resources/forms/open-burning