Following consultation with local governments, recent changes to Total Fire Ban regulations have been introduced that broaden the activities farmers can undertake during these bans.
The changes mean farmers can now continue day-to-day agricultural activity such as harvesting, and feeding and moving livestock when a TFB is in place, as long as a Harvest and Vehicle Movement Ban has not been implemented by their local government.
Certain activities likely to create a bushfire danger such as operating an oxytorch, welding and operating grinders in the open air are still banned.
The changes also remove the requirement for farmers to have a firefighting vehicle on site when undertaking agricultural activities during a TFB, although local government local laws may require a firefighting vehicle to be onsite during harvesting operations.
For more information call the TFB Information Line on 1800 709 355.