The 10/50 Rule

WHAT IS THE 10/50 VEGETATION CLEARING SCHEME AND ENTITLEMENT AREA

The 10/50 scheme and Vegetation Clearing Entitlement Area (10/50 Code) allows property owners within designated areas to clear vegetation around their buildings for fire safety. Clearing under this provision must be carried out strictly in accordance with the 10/50 Vegetation Clearing Code of Practice. The code includes a number of exceptions to the code relating to certain types of vegetation and site conditions.  Failure to comply with the code may result in regulatory action including legal proceedings or issue of fines.

Frequently Asked Questions

IS MY PROPERTY IN A 10/50 CLEARNING ENTITLEMENT AREA?

To determine whether your property falls within a 10/50 Entitlement Clearing Area, you can use the RFS (Rural Fire Service) online tool.

Check if you are in a 10/50 area

You must re-check the tool on the day you intend to clear vegetation and to save a dated screenshot or hard copy of the map for future reference.

Key considerations:

• The code specifically applies to habitable buildings or certain high-risk facilities, so non-habitable structures do not qualify for clearing under this code.
• The 10/50 Code is designed for fire prevention and ensuring safer environments around residences in fire-prone areas.

CAN I CLEAR VEGETATION SURROUNDING MY HOUSE?

If you have a parcel of land within an identified 10/50 vegetation clearing entitlement area, the scheme allows you to:

• Clear trees on your property within 10 metres of a home, without seeking approval; and

Clear underlying vegetation (other than trees) such as shrubs on your property within 50 metres of a home, without seeking approval. However, it is highly recommended that you refer to the frequently asked questions section on the RFS website and familiarise yourself with the criteria within the code of practice.

WHAT IS AN INNER PROTECTION AREA?

The inner protection area is generally considered within 10 metres of the building containing habitable rooms. This area is designed to be nearly fuel-free and typically includes grassy spaces, car parks, roads, concrete surfaces, tracks, or trails. It does not require the complete removal of all trees and shrubs. The primary purpose of this zone is to prevent flame transmission and reduce radiant heat by eliminating available fuels, while also creating a safe landing area for embers to fall without causing new ignitions.

Additionally, this zone provides a safe position for firefighting efforts and is essential for establishing clear fire control lines. Grasses may exist within this zone if maintained at a height of 50-75mm, as taller grass significantly increases fuel loads, flame height, and fire intensity. Shrubs can also be present in the form of clumped groups within open grassy areas, with clumping designed to reflect species type and spatial density. For instance, larger shrubs should be spaced to minimize density.

Trees are permissible within this zone but must be located at least 3 metres from any dwelling to maintain safety and reduce fire risk.

Trees with canopies that start close to the ground, such as Allocasuarina, create a continuous link between the tree canopy and the shrub layer. This connection provides fuel that can allow fire to spread into the canopy. In a 'tall open forest,' where trees typically exceed 20 meters in height, the canopy is well-separated from the ground, reducing the likelihood of fire reaching the upper canopy. Conversely, in an 'open woodland,' the lower canopy (often under 5 meters in height) merges with the shrub layer, creating a more direct fuel pathway for fire to spread.

WHAT IS AN OUTER PROTECTION AREA?

The outer protection area (OPA) is generally considered the area within 50 metres of the building containing habitable rooms. This zone is designed to limit the development of intense fires and the transmission of severe radiant heat.

The OPA assumes that all trees will remain intact, with modifications focused on the shrub and grass layers or the regular removal of the litter layer. In some sparse vegetation types, shrub layer modification may not be necessary. The key advantage for firefighting is a reduction in fire intensity, achieved by minimizing the availability of fine fuels that feed the fire. Fine-leafed species, such as Allocasuarina, are typically targeted for removal as they burn rapidly and can elevate fire into adjacent tree canopies.

In most cases, removing approximately 85% of the litter layer is sufficient to establish an effective OPA.

It is essential that if you are using the 10/50 rule that you have evidentiary support. 
Council can ask residents if tree removal has occurred under this approval method and for all documentation to be provided to support this method.