A 64-year-old man is due to appear in Darwin Local Court tomorrow after being issued multiple infringement notices by Northern Territory Fire & Rescue Service.

He will appear in court for:

• Allow combustible material to accumulate
• Failure to create and maintain fire breaks

NTFRS Hazard Abatement and Bush Fire Mitigation Officer Paul Rubie said, “Fire breaks are the responsibility of a property owner or occupier. It is their legal requirement to ensure their property does not pose a danger. Fire breaks ensure easy access and egress for firefighters and assist in protecting the property of residents and neighbouring areas.”

“Under the Fire and Emergency Act 2016, a property owner or occupier can be issued infringement notices up to $628 +$40 levy or charged which can incur a maximum of 100 penalty units if they fail to install fire breaks.”

“With the current climate and the effects of fires on the community, now is a timely reminder for members of the public to ensure fire breaks are installed and maintained on their properties all year round. The owner of land must ensure flammable or combustible material does not accumulate on the land in a way that constitutes a danger by fire.”

“We consider these offences as very serious breaches as it puts firefighter’s lives at risk whilst trying to protect the public from fire. With fuel loads increasing across the Darwin rural and urban areas, NTFRS officers and volunteers will be kept busy this coming dry season and will need all the help they can get from property owners and occupiers.”

For further information on fire breaks, visit www.fire.nt.gov.au.