Meeting between council, RFS over pile burns

Deputy Mayor Mary Lyons-Buckett requested council organise the meeting to address the frequency of pile burning across the Hawkesbury in a notice of motion to council on October 9.

She also requested council report on the number of pile burning notifications it received  – as well as the number of permits issued by the RFS - on an annual basis.

The bushfire danger period was brought forward by a month to September 1 of this year due to the “extremely dangerous conditions rendering the LGA [Local Government Area] vulnerable to bushfire”, Cr Lyons-Buckett stated in her notice of motion.

“It is apparent not all residents in the Hawkesbury understand the regulations relating to pile burning, with some households using it as a regular method of disposal of a wide range of vegetation and household waste.”

Outside the meeting, Cr Lyons-Buckett said she wanted to start a conversation with the RFS to help “change attitudes”.

“People are using it [pile burns] to dispose of waste of all sorts,” she said. “It’s not being used how the regulations intended. 

“I have seen people burning wardrobes, it’s ridiculous.

“It’s time we dealt with it and tightened it up.”

Council was currently working on a number of waste strategies, including better utilisation of green waste and a “rehoming” facility at the local tip, as well as a database of businesses and individuals with skills to repair items to avoid them ending up as landfill, Cr Lyons-Buckett said.

“Secondhand Saturday” will also be held on November 17, allowing residents across the Hawkesbury to register a garage sale and have it promoted by council through its website. There will also be newspaper and social media promotion of the event to attract more buyers to the garage sales.

Residents can register their garage sale at http://www.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au/media/forms/register-your-sale.

For further information, contact 4560 4566.