THE local ban on fire pits may soon be repealed.
The existing local law in the Kingston Council area reads that “a person must not light or allow to be lit or remain alight a fire in any incinerator or other structure used for the purpose of burning solid fuel materials to create heat outdoors.” On 26 July, councillors voted to review the law.
A recent survey conducted by council on the issue of fire pits revealed that most residents would like to see them allowed. Of 724 responses received, 89 per cent said that fire pits should be legal.
The ban does not apply to barbeques or pizza ovens.
Kingston Council has agreed to review the policy, with a further period of community consultation with a draft amendment. That amendment will retain the ban on incinerators, retain the ban on burning off offensive or dangerous materials, retain the permission of fire burning for the purpose of cooking for cultural activities or religious observance, outline a safe distance requirement from other properties, and retain the current directive powers by authorised officers to direct immediate extinguishing of the fire.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 28 July 2021