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Harvest & Vehicle Movement Ban

The Harvest and Vehicle Movement Ban (HVMB), once declared by the Shire of Toodyay, prohibits all harvesting operations and all vehicle movements on a property (some exceptions apply, as listed below). These bans are issued under Bush Fires Regulations 1954 38A & 38B; or where a Total Fire Ban is in effect, Bush Fires Regulations 1954 24C.

When a ban is declared, it is advertised on ABC local radio and via the Shire’s Harvest & Vehicle Movement Ban SMS Notification Service.

Any of the abovementioned operations already underway when a ban is declared must cease immediately.

A HVMB remains in place for the remainder of the day on which it was declared, or until lifted (revoked) by the Shire at an earlier time.

A ban may be declared for the following reasons: 

  • Unfavourable fire weather conditions
  • Depletion of firefighting resources due to existing firefighting commitments
  • Public holidays (e.g. Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day and Australia Day)

During a HVMB, you may not:

  • Undertake harvesting operations.
  • Use or operation of any engines, vehicles, plant or machinery over or in the vicinity of vegetation. This includes but not limited to cars, earthmoving machinery, motorbikes or ATVs.
  • Hot works, such as welding, cutting or griding must continue to comply with Regulation 39 (applicable at all times), however the Shire strongly recommends that that consideration to postponing such works is given under HVMB conditions.

During a HVMB, the Shire permits:

  • Vehicle movement on a road or driveway that provides the safest, most direct access to or a parking facility at any residential, farming or business premises - if the area has been sufficiently cleared of inflammable material to prevent the escape of fire.
  • Vehicle movement for the purpose of prevention or attendance of an immediate and serious risk to the health or safety of a person or livestock, where all reasonable precautions have been taken to prevent the use or operation from causing a bush fire – this includes, but is not limited to, the presence of sufficient firefighting resources and use of diesel-powered vehicles only.
  • Vehicle movement involved in direct firefighting operations.
  • Vehicle movement and works by Western Power or Water Corporation or approved contractors undertaking essential service restoration, where all reasonable precautions have been taken to prevent the use or operation from causing a bush fire – this includes, but is not limited to, the presence of sufficient firefighting resources and use of diesel-powered vehicles only