What is Council Doing?

Following the State Emergency Management Plan (SEMP) and the Local Government Emergency Management Framework (LGEMF), the Adelaide Hills Council aims to reduce disaster risks by:

• Understanding and sharing information about current and new emergency risks
• Integrating emergency risk information into our governance and decision-making
• Building and maintaining infrastructure to reduce emergency risks
• Partnering with stakeholders to address key emergency risks
• Strengthening community resilience to disasters
• Increasing community preparedness through clear communication
• Meeting the requirements of the Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005 (SA), including running fire prevention programs
• Representing the community’s interests in emergency management to higher levels of government and contributing to decision-making

For more information about the role of Local Government in disaster preparation, response, and recovery, visit our Community and Government Roles page.

Council has developed a Bushfire Mitigation Strategy that outlines the responsibility of residents, council and other organisations in land management.

Everyone has a role in preparing for fire danger season with year-round actions to reduce the impact of bushfires.

Find a quick reference guide and the full strategy below. We also provide a breakdown of 'shared responsibility' and what it looks like in practice.

If you want to burn vegetation for fire prevention or control on private property, you need a permit.

This helps ensure safety and keeps the air clean. Applying for a permit is free, and we review applications quickly. Permits are flexible, allowing a burning 'window' of up to two months, and are valid from 10 am to 3 pm, Monday to Saturday.

People in the Adelaide Hills Council area fall into one of three categories for burning permits:

1. Townships
2. Adelaide metropolitan area (excluding townships)
3. Non-Adelaide metropolitan area (excluding townships)

For more information, please call the Council at (08) 8408 0400 or visit our Burning and Fire Guideline page.

Council helps with fire safety and disaster preparation under the Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005.

One way we do this is by issuing 105F Notices that protect life and property from the threat of a fire.

Authorised officers can give 105F Notices to landowners, asking them to take steps to make their properties safe during the fire danger and bushfire seasons. If these notices are not followed, there can be a fine of up to $10,000.

These actions help make properties safer from bushfires and protect the community. For more details, see the Fire and Emergency Services Act below.

Council plays an important role in managing roadside vegetation by:

1. Maintaining Verges: We perform annual maintenance to ensure road safety and prevent fires. However, not all verges are included in this program.
2. Guiding Property Owners: Property owners are responsible for maintaining their verges, including mowing, weeding, pruning, and clearing debris. Please ensure that your landscaping doesn't block safety features or services.
3. Protecting Native Vegetation: Native plants are protected by law, and you may need approval to clear or prune them.

For more information, visit our Roadside Vegetation page.

Council offers green organics drop-off days to help residents prepare for bushfire danger season and manage green organic waste.

The collected waste is turned into high-quality mulch, soil, and compost products.

For information about the location and time of our next drop-off day, visit our Green Organics Drop-Off Days page.

The Adelaide Hills Council's Emergency Management Policy outlines how we handle emergencies.

It connects with local, regional, and state emergency plans that affect our area. The policy identifies the risks in the Adelaide Hills and their potential impact on the community. It describes the strategies we'll use to manage these risks, including preparation, response, and recovery actions. The policy also explains how we'll monitor and implement these actions.

The Council supports recovery after emergencies by:

• Coordinating with the community for a comprehensive recovery effort.
• Adjusting services to meet recovery needs.
• Repairing and restoring damaged Council property.
• Communicating with affected communities to understand their needs and priorities.
• Advocating for community support to ensure adequate assistance.

Our recovery efforts are based on the severity of the emergency, the Council's capacity, and the community's needs. We follow the National Principles for Disaster Recovery in our approach.