Backyard burning
Smoke from backyard burning can cause negative public health effects.
The City of Hobart does not recommend burning of any type of waste. We urge all residents to dispose of vegetation by using:
You can report neighbours who are burning off in their backyards and creating a nuisance by completing the online form.
Regulations
Burning on residential properties is regulated by the Environmental Management and Pollution Control (Smoke) Regulations 2019.
You can learn more on the Environment Protection Authority website.
In addition, the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994 states that backyard burning should not cause an 'environmental nuisance'. This includes smoke emissions.
To burn vegetation and vegetative waste on land with an area of less than 2000 square metres, you must:
- follow any relevant fire permits, environment protection notice (EPN) or council by-law
- use all practicable means necessary to prevent or minimise air pollution (smoke).
To stop smoke from causing issues for other people or the environment, you must take into account:
- wind direction and wind speed
- weather conditions
- the length of time that the vegetation or vegetative waste being burnt is likely to burn
- the proximity of nearby houses or buildings.
You must also make sure only dry vegetation or vegetative waste is burnt. Under the regulations you cannot burn:
- asbestos
- tyres
- coated wire
- paint containers and residues
- chemical containers and residues
- timber treated with copper chrome arsenate (CCA), pentachlorophenol (PCP), oil or any other chemical
- rubber
- painted wood
- plastic
- oil
- household waste
- linen
- foam rubber
- polystyrene.