Clearing for bushfire management Guide

The Queensland Government’s vegetation clearing laws allow landholders to undertake a range of activities to deal with the threat or aftermath of a bushfire.

This guide explains the approval and notification requirements under vegetation and planning legislation.

• Exempt clearing work for bushfire management

  You can undertake certain clearing activities to protect your property from bushfires without getting our approval or notifying us. These exemptions are summarised in the table below.

  If you need to clear a wider area, you might be able to clear using a vegetation clearing code or apply for a development approval.

  Prior to clearing, you should also check whether other laws apply.

  This video highlights exempt clearing activities, under vegetation management laws, to safeguard your property from bushfires.

  Firebreaks are low-fuel areas located immediately adjacent to existing infrastructure (including a building, or other structure, built or used for any purpose) that are cleared and maintained to slow or stop the progress of a fire, or to perform back-burning.

  Fire management lines are roads, fence line clearings or tracks (including existing property tracks) used to access water for firefighting or divide the property for fuel reduction burning or back-burning.

  Exempt clearing work

  The following table outlines common activities that are exempt clearing work on:

  • freehold land
  • Indigenous land
  • leasehold land for agriculture and grazing purposes.

  Note: You can’t join clearing for multiple purposes to create larger clearing widths. For example, you can't clear to a 10m fence track, plus locate an immediately adjacent 10m fire management line.

  For a full list of clearing that is exempt under the vegetation management laws, refer to the list of exempt clearing work or Schedule 21 of the Planning Regulation 2017.

  Local laws

  Before you undertake any clearing, it's important to contact your local council for information on whether local laws apply to your property.

  A local law may apply to the removal of any trees in some local government areas. For example, a vegetation protection order or tree protection area may be in place.

  Certain local governments have local laws on clearing native vegetation and tree protection, including:

  • Brisbane City Council
  • Gold Coast City Council
  • Ipswich City Council
  • Redland City Council.

  Fire breaks and fire management lines

  The need for and extent of fire management lines depends on many factors, including:

  • the shape of the property
  • access from a public road
  • the layout of infrastructure
  • slope and aspect
  • the extent of prior clearing
  • the vegetation hazard class of the surrounding vegetation.

  The clearing for a firebreak or fire management line must be necessary to protect lives and property - this will depend on the circumstances of the property and surrounding landscape.

  This includes activity that also results in clearing of vegetation within regulated koala habitat. You can find out what koala habitat, vegetation categories and protected plants are on your property in a vegetation management property report.

  All exempt clearing

  Purpose for clearing	Vegetation category	Clearing allowances
  Fences, roads or tracks	Category B (Least concern regional ecosystems only)	Clearing to establish a necessary fence, road or vehicular track to a maximum width of 10m
  Fire management line	All	Clearing for a necessary fire management line to a maximum width of 10m.
  Firebreaks	All	For a necessary firebreak to protect buildings and other structures (other than a fence line): to a width of up to 1.5 times the height of the tallest vegetation or 20m (whichever is wider) Refer to Using a clearing code for fire management for other provisions relating to firebreaks
  Hazardous fuel load reduction	All	Fuel reduction burns can be done under a permit issued by your local fire warden - contact your local fire warden for more information
  Maintain existing infrastructure	All	Clearing necessary to maintain existing buildings and other structure, including fences, roads and watering points Clearing to source construction timber to maintain existing infrastructure on the land
  Risk to people or infrastructure	All	Clearing necessary to remove or reduce the imminent risk the vegetation poses to people or building and other structures

  Wider clearing

  At times, a landholder may propose wider clearing than what is exempt under the Planning Regulation 2017. In such cases, the accepted development vegetation clearing code, Clearing for infrastructure, may assist. The code enables landholders to clear a wider firebreak in non-coastal areas.

  If a wider firebreak is proposed, it may be possible to lodge a development application under the planning framework. You can apply for a development approval for the firebreak, and it will be assessed for its impacts on native vegetation and koala habitat.

  You may also need to lodge a separate application under other legislation. For example, to clear protected plants under the Nature Conservation Act 1992.

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• Using a clearing code for fire management

  If you need to clear a wider area than permitted under the clearing exemptions, you may be able to clear under the Clearing for infrastructure accepted development vegetation clearing code (PDF, 209.5 KB) .

  This code applies to Category B, C and R vegetation. See the table below for requirements.

  Find out how to clear under the accepted development vegetation clearing code.

  Clearing for infrastructure code requirements

  Purpose for clearing	Vegetation category	Clearing allowances
  Firebreaks	Category B, C and R vegetation across Queensland except for coastal lots	Clearing for firebreaks to protect buildings and other structures (other than fences, roads, tracks, irrigation channels or contour banks) to a width of 30m Refer to Exempt clearing work for other provisions relating to firebreaks
  Fire management lines	Category C and R vegetation across Queensland	Clearing for necessary fire management lines – what is necessary up to a maximum width of 10m Further necessary clearing may be undertaken by providing an exchange area. Refer to the Clearing for infrastructure accepted development vegetation clearing code (PDF, 209.5 KB) for further information Refer to Exempt clearing work for other provisions relating to fire management lines

  Related links

  Find out more about using the vegetation clearing codes.

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• Development approvals for bushfire management clearing

  You will need a development approval for any clearing that falls beyond the scope of the provisions for exempt clearing, or clearing using a code.

  Special provisions apply if you are clearing during an emergency.

  You may also need a development approval if the clearing is associated with a development application for a material change of use or reconfiguring a lot.

  Find out more about making a development application.

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• Bushfire management plans and other considerations

  Consider local conditions when planning your firebreaks and fire management lines to make sure they’ll be effective in reducing the risk or impact of a bushfire.

  The Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES), or other suitably qualified bushfire professional, can provide advice about the suitable location of firebreaks and fire management lines.

  Bushfire management plans

  A bushfire management plan is a useful planning tool for all landholders. The plan can:

  • identify the location of any existing or proposed firebreaks and fire management lines
  • describe how they’ll achieve their intended purpose
  • justify any associated vegetation clearing
  • provide alternate methods for reducing property risk (e.g. siting of infrastructure, land management practices).

  If you are in a bushfire hazard area, you may be required to prepare a plan as part of a development application for a material change of use or reconfiguration of lot.

  You can work with QFES and your local council to prepare a bushfire management plan tailored to the needs of your property.

  Related links

  • Find out more about bushfires and the rural fire service.
  • Contact your local rural fire service.
  • Watch the short Queensland Fire and Emergency Services documentary: The Burning Question.

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• Other laws and permits for bushfire management

  QFES fire permits

  Before lighting outdoor fires (such as fuel reduction burns), you must obtain a permit to light fire from the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES).

  The permit will stipulate the conditions under which the fire can be lit, including:

  • the width and height of the fire
  • the ground conditions
  • requirements for firebreaks and/or fire management lines that you must have in place to prevent the unintended spread of fire.

  Contact your local fire warden for more information.

  Local laws

  Before you undertake any clearing, it's important to contact your local council for information on whether local laws apply to your property.

  A local law may apply to the removal of any trees in some local government areas. For example, a vegetation protection order or tree protection area may be in place.

  Certain local governments have local laws on clearing native vegetation and tree protection, including:

  • Brisbane City Council
  • Gold Coast City Council
  • Ipswich City Council
  • Redland City Council

  Other laws and requirements

  Prior to clearing, you should also check whether other laws apply. Some common requirements, and the agencies responsible, are listed below.

  Department of Seniors, Disability Services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships

  • Indigenous cultural heritage (e.g. scar tree)

  Department Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing, and Regional and Rural Development

  • Legal covenants
  • Voluntary declarations (e.g. a landholder has voluntarily or agreed to protect native vegetation on their land)
  • Enforcement orders or restoration orders relating to prior unlawful clearing

  Nature Conservation Act 1992

  • Vegetation that needs to be cleared for a fire break (necessary clearing) may be habitat for endangered or vulnerable species listed under the Nature Conservation Act 1992
  • Take care to minimise the impact on these species.
  • Actions such as translocation/relocation and the use of spotter catchers can reduce impacts on wildlife living in native vegetation subject to necessary clearing.

  Find out more

  • Find out more about vegetation clearing laws.
  • Contact your local rural fire service.

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• Clearing during bushfire emergencies

  During a bushfire emergency, follow the directions of the authorised fire officers.

  You don’t need to get our approval or notify us before you undertake clearing that they have authorised or to help them deal with a dangerous situation.

  If you carry out emergency work without a warden’s authorisation and it is outside the scope of the exemptions and clearing code, you will need a development approval, but you can apply after the event.

  If the development approval is refused, you may be required to restore the land.

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• Cleaning-up after a bushfire

  You can remove fallen woody debris from existing tracks, roads, fire management lines and firebreaks without a permit or notification.

  Special clearing exemptions apply if your district has been declared a disaster area.

  Related links

  • Find out about deferring your land rent or instalment if you’ve been impacted by a disaster.
  • Find out about repairs to groundwater bores and spears.
  • Find out about watercourse works associated with emergencies and disasters.
  • Read about grants and other assistance for disaster-impacted Queenslanders.
  • Find out about low-interest loans for disaster recovery for rural businesses and primary producers.

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• Roadside vegetation management

  In Queensland:

  • local government are the local road managers
  • the Department of Transport and Main Roads are the state road managers, as they administer the state-controlled road network.

  Vegetation management within the road corridor, such as removal of vegetation for road infrastructure, or fire hazard reduction activities, are all undertaken by the road managers themselves or contracted to other parties.

  Road infrastructure

  Road Infrastructure clearing includes:

  • the removal of vegetation to access road base materials to source construction materials
  • clearing necessary to undertake new road development.

  Clearing carried out by the road managers to construct and maintain road infrastructure (other than fences), is exempt and does not require an approval (as per the Planning Regulation 2017).

  The road manager may need to lodge a separate application under other jurisdictions that apply. For example:

  • to clear protected plants under the Nature Conservation Act 1992
  • impacts to matters of national environmental significance under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
  • vegetation protection orders under local law
  • cultural heritage duty of care under the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Act 2003.

  Fence lines

  Unlike other road infrastructure, clearing to maintain a fence line on the road corridor is restricted to 3 metres. While no approval is needed for the clearing, a landholder with a shared boundary fence must seek the approval from the relevant road manager before clearing within the road corridor. Additional clearing may be possible under an accepted development vegetation clearing code or a development approval.

  Clearing to maintain a boundary fence can also be done on the adjoining private property. A landholder on adjoining land may clear vegetation up to 10 metres in width within their property to maintain a fence line, without an approval (as per schedule 21 of the Planning Regulation 2017).

  Emergency clearing

  Where there is approaching danger such as bushfire, it may become necessary to clear vegetation within the road corridor. Under the essential management provisions within schedule 21 of the Planning Regulation 2017, a landholder may clear vegetation necessary to reduce or remove the imminent risk that vegetation poses of serious personal injury or damage to infrastructure.

  Where a disaster declaration is made under the Disaster Management Act 2003 for an area, clearing vegetation does not require approval under schedule 21 part 5(15) of the Planning Regulation 2017, if the clearing is necessary to prevent or minimise either:

  • loss of human life, or illness or injury to humans
  • property loss or damage
  • damage to the environment.

  and

  • the clearing happens no later than 1 year after the day on which the disaster situation declaration was made, or on another day decided by notice.

  Section 53(j) of the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1990 allows an authorised fire officer to direct any person in a dangerous situation to take reasonable measures to deal with the danger. Any clearing within the road reserve done under the direction of an authorised fire officer does not require an approval under the Planning Regulation 2017.

  Bushfire clearing

  The Planning Regulation 2017 allows for a range of activities undertaken to deal with the threat or aftermath of a bushfire.

  Clearing for bushfire hazard in the road corridor aims to:

  • prevent fire igniting on the road reserve
  • contain roadside fires from spreading
  • manage safety of road users
  • encourage recovery from roadside fires.

  Road managers routinely meet with the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service to discuss clearing actions necessary for the expected upcoming bushfire season. Local bushfire mitigation work is then arranged as necessary.

  Hazard reduction burns

  A landholder may undertake hazard reduction burns, without a permit as per schedule 21 of the Planning Regulation 2017, so long as a permit to burn is obtained from the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service.

  Hazard reduction burns can be undertaken following approval from the road manager (for a state-controlled road this approval needs to come through the TMR Road Corridor Permit (RCP)), in conjunction with the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services.

  Fire breaks

  Firebreaks are low-fuel areas located immediately adjacent to existing infrastructure that are cleared and maintained to slow or stop the progress of a fire, or to perform back-burning.

  An adjacent landholder may clear vegetation to maintain a necessary firebreak inside the road corridor, with authorisation from the road manager (state-controlled roads will require a TMR RCP) as per schedule 21 part 5(h) of the Planning Regulation 2017.

  Access to land

  Landholders may clear vegetation for access to their adjoining land from the formed road to a maximum width of 10 metres without an approval as per schedule 21 part 5(e) of the Planning Regulation 2017. However, the landholder must have owner's consent for any clearing if the landholder is a lessee and seek approval from the relevant responsible road manager before clearing commences. Where the access is to a state-controlled road, the adjoining landholder will need to acquire a TMR Road Corridor Permit (RCP).

  Please contact your local council for further information on providing access to your property.

  Weeds and biosecurity

  A road manager may remove any weeds and hazardous vegetation (under the Biosecurity Act 2014) from the road corridor without a permit as per schedule 21 part 5(b) of the Planning Regulation 2017.

  Further information

  • Access the Planning Regulation 2017
  • Read more about Vegetation clearing laws
  • Contact the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development on 135 VEG (13 58 4) or by emailing vegetation@nrmmrrd.qld.gov.au
  • Fire management and permits: read more from Queensland Fire and Emergency Services or contact your local Fire Warden
  • Local vegetation orders, planning guidance and bushfire management plan policies: contact your local council
  • Protected plants: contact the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation on 1300 130 372
  • Cultural heritage: contact the Department of Seniors, Disability Services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships or the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation

Clearing for bushfire management, 12 Jun 2025, [https://www.qldgovau.staging-services.qld.gov.au/environment/land/management/vegetation/clearing-guides/fire]

This document is uncontrolled when printed. Before using the information in this document you should verify the current content on https://www.qldgovau.staging-services.qld.gov.au/environment/land/management/vegetation/clearing-guides/fire.