What is a firebreak?
A firebreak is an area clear of vegetation, bush and other flammable material.
Creating and maintaining a firebreak helps to protect your property against fire.
Firebreaks also provide access for firefighters and firefighting vehicles to safely enter your property to respond to a fire or other emergency.
If you live in an emergency response area (ERA), you are required to create and maintain firebreaks.
What is a compliant firebreak?
Firebreaks must be:
- free from vegetation or have grass that is no taller than 50 mm
- in place along the entire boundary of your property
- at least 4 meters wide.
The NTFRS also recommends that a 8 metre firebreak is maintained around your house and any other permanent structure, stationary engine or flammable material.
Things to consider
It is your responsibility to create and maintain firebreaks on your property. This is a requirement under law.
Firebreaks must be maintained all year round.
The NTFRS conducts inspections to help residents understand firebreak requirements and ensure their firebreaks are compliant.
If you do not create and maintain a compliant firebreak, you may be fined and face additional enforcement actions.
Within the ERA – NTFRS
If you require advice, you can contact your nearest NTFRS fire station.
You can contact a NTFRS fire station on the details listed below.
Fire Station | Telephone Number |
Darwin Fire Station | 08 8946 4110 |
Berrimah Fire Station | 08 8946 4142 |
Marrara Fire Station | 08 8995 5222 |
Palmerston Fire Station | 08 8932 1100 |
Humpty Doo Fire Station | 08 8988 0296 |
Katherine Fire Station | 08 8973 8014 |
Alice Springs Fire Station | 08 8951 6688 |
Outside the ERA – Bushfires NT
If your property is outside the NTFRS ERA, you may have different firebreak requirements. Bushfires NT may be able to provide you with advice.
Contact Bushfires NT via:
E: bushfiresNT.compliance@nt.gov.au
Weeds Management
Gamba grass must be controlled within 15m of all property boundaries, driveways and structures. Smaller land parcels (less than 3 hectares) must be working towards eradication of all gamba grass. For more information on gamba grass visit nt.gov.au/gamba.
Alerts and warnings
You can receive alerts and warnings through the Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services news feed, facebook page or on the Fire Incident Map.
For more information on bushfire safety and where to receive alerts visit Bushfires | Secure NT