All property owners, occupiers and land managers are responsible to ensure fire hazards are adequately reduced within the property they own or manage.

Property owners, occupiers and land managers must not allow fire hazards to become fire risks.

Fire risks to people and property include any flammable materials or buildings in a dangerous condition or arrangement, and any dangerous behaviours or actions.

Councils are responsible for ensuring fire hazards on their property are adequately managed.

Councils are also responsible for issuing Abatement Notices regarding fire risks on private or public property within the municipal area.

In general, councils need to be informed that a potential fire hazard or fire risk exists.

Under the Local Government Act 1993, a Council may issue an Abatement Notice requiring a property owner or occupier to abate a fire risk.

If the Abatement Notice is not complied with, the Council may abate the fire risk and may recover the cost of the abatement works from the property owner or occupier.

The Tasmania Fire Service has responsibility for the protection of life, property, and the environment from fire, throughout the entire State.

The Tasmania Fire Service ensures that fire-danger is appropriately mitigated by undertaking the chief role in fire prevention, preparedness, and response.

The Tasmania Fire Service works closely with land management agencies and provides training and support to councils in fire risk assessment and abatement.

Under the Fire Service Act 1979, the Tasmania Fire Service may:

• Issue a notice to a property owner or occupier in any part of the State requiring the removal of a fire hazard.
• Issue a notice to a Council requiring the Council abate a fire hazard on any property within the municipal area as if it were a fire risk.
• Take all reasonable actions to remove a fire hazard on any private or public property in any part of the State and may recover the cost of those works from the property owner or occupier.