Huge response to Brisbane Council fire pit survey
Following a three-month trial, more than 7500 Brisbane residents have had their say on whether fire pits should be allowed. SEE THE RESULTS
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More than 7500 people have had their say on whether Brisbane City Council should permanently allow fire pits and braziers, with 96 per cent of respondents in favour.
The citywide survey closed on August 31, and council is now considering the results, but says it is very pleased that people behaved safely during a three-month trial.
City Standards, Community Health and Safety chair Kim Marx said the backyard winter fire pits trial, which began on June 1, has been very warmly received.
“It’s great that residents have been hitting Facebook and the Council website to have their say on if they want backyard fire pits to keep burning in the future,’’ Cr Marx said.
To date, across both Brisbane City Council and Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner’s social media pages, more than 7500 people have had their say.
Only 4 per cent were against the trial becoming permanent.
Council started the trial after public outrage when residents began receiving fines at the height of lockdown.
A Kedron man began a petition in May to have council rethink their rules on fire pits that put most people at risk of a $266 fine for lighting one.
Darren Mitchell’s petition attracted almost 1000 signatures overnight in May after he discovered backyard fires were prohibited unless they had a permit or met specific guidelines.
In April, an Oxley mum and her children were forced to extinguish their fire pits while they were cooking marshmallows at their home.
Currently, residents are banned from lighting and maintaining outside fires unless approved for theatrical purposes, cooking food for human consumption or permitted by the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services.
“It was great to see an overwhelmingly positive response from residents on social media and we are now reviewing the more than 800 (formal) submissions received to ensure all feedback is reviewed before we make a final decision,’’ Cr Marx said.
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“Residents have really demonstrated they can use their fire pits and brazier safely and responsibly.
The safety of residents is our priority and these stringent guidelines have helped residents keep their fire pits safe, in control while minimising smoke impacts on neighbours.’’
The trial was launched with a number of strict guidelines on safety and minimising smoke.
“To spread the safety message further, we also partnered with Kidsafe Queensland to produce a video with tips to keep children safe around outdoor fires,’’ Cr Marx said.
Council’s Kidsafe Queensland fire video can be viewed here.