Western Australian Current Acts

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BUSH FIRES ACT 1954 - SECT 27

27 .         Prohibition on use of tractors or engines except under certain conditions

        (1)         Subject to the provisions of subsection (2) a person shall not operate, during the prohibited burning times or the restricted burning times —

            (a)         a tractor or self-propelled harvester unless —

                  (i)         its exhaust system, including pipes, is maintained in sound and efficient condition; and

                  (ii)         its exhaust pipe is fitted with a spark arrester as prescribed by regulation; and

                  (iii)         its exhaust pipe terminates so as to discharge exhaust emissions vertically upwards or, in the case of a self-propelled harvester the exhaust pipe of which terminates at least 2 m above the ground, so as to discharge exhaust emissions horizontally or in a direction upwards of the horizontal plane;

            (b)         an internal combustion engine, steam engine or other prescribed machinery or vehicle contrary to the regulations or otherwise than in accordance with the regulations.

        Penalty: $5 000.

        (2)         A local government may at any time permit the use in orchards within its district of tractors the exhaust pipes of which are not vertical, and in any district where permission is so given, a person may operate in an orchard during the times mentioned in subsection (1) a tractor the exhaust pipe of which is not vertical, so long as the person while operating that tractor complies with the other requirements specified in respect of a tractor in paragraph (a) of that subsection and with the requirements of any notice under subsection (3) having effect in the district for the time being.

        (3)         A local government may, by notice published in its district by —

            (a)         publication in a newspaper circulating in that district; and

            (b)         broadcast from a radio broadcasting station that gives radio broadcasting coverage to that district; and

            (c)         display in prominent positions in that district,

                prohibit the operation in its district of any tractor or self-propelled harvester other than a tractor or self-propelled harvester that is equipped with a fire extinguisher.

        (4)         A notice under subsection (3) —

            (a)         shall have effect for such period during the prohibited burning times or the restricted burning times, or both, as is specified in the notice;

            (b)         may be varied or cancelled by the local government by a notice published in the manner set out in that subsection.

        (5)         During any period for which a notice under subsection (3) has effect in a district a person shall not operate a tractor or self-propelled harvester in that district unless a fire extinguisher as prescribed by regulation is carried on that tractor or self-propelled harvester or, in the case of a tractor, on a trailer, semi-trailer or agricultural machine or appliance being drawn or propelled by that tractor.

        Penalty: $5 000.

        (6)         The Governor may make regulations with respect to the prohibition or regulation of the use of engines, vehicles, plant and machinery during the prohibited burning times or restricted burning times.

        (7)         Regulations made under subsection (6) may —

            (a)         authorise a local government or a bush fire control officer to prohibit the carrying out of an activity or operation either absolutely or except in accordance with conditions specified in the notice or direction by which the prohibition is imposed or in the regulations;

            (b)         prohibit the carrying out of an activity or operation without the consent of a local government or bush fire control officer;

            (c)         provide that an act or thing shall be done subject to the approval or to the satisfaction of a local government or a bush fire control officer;

            (d)         provide as the penalty for a breach of any regulation so made a maximum penalty of $5 000.

        (8)         The provisions of subsections (6) and (7) are in addition to and not in derogation of those of section 61.

        [Section 27 amended: No. 11 of 1963 s. 13; No. 65 of 1977 s. 25; No. 51 of 1979 s. 2; No. 95 of 1981 s. 2; No. 8 of 1987 s. 8; No. 14 of 1996 s. 4; No. 38 of 2002 s. 39.]



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