Kedron dad receives letter from Lord Mayor over fire pit petition

Brisbane’s Lord Mayor has confirmed the council will undertake a fire pit trial this winter, after a Kedron dad’s petition collected almost 1000 signatures overnight.

A Brisbane man's petition to BCC over their tough stance on fire pits has had over 900 signatures overnight.

Brisbane Council has seen the light, with the Lord Mayor announcing the City’s firm stance on backyard fires would be relaxed after a local man’s petition ignited public interest overnight.

Mayor Adrian Schrinner announced this morning that backyard fire pits would be permitted in Brisbane this winter as part of a city wide ‘trial’ – just one day after residents petitioned council to relax the restrictions.

“I’m confirming that Council will support a trial to allow people to have fire pits in their backyards, provided they take notice and show respect for their neighbours,” Cr Schrinner said.

Adrian Schrinner says fire pits will be allowed this winter. Picture: Steve Pohlner

“At the moment you can have a fire if it is for the purpose of cooking food.

“We’re removing that requirement (this winter).”

The Kedron dad who started the petition collected more than 900 signatures overnight – and a letter from the Lord Mayor.

Darren Mitchell only started the petition to council yesterday, calling on them to allow fire pits for recreational purposes providing they don’t adversely impact the environment or neighbours.

It comes after an Oxley mum and her children were forced to extinguish their fire pit while they were cooking marshmallows at their home in April.

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Mr Mitchell’s petition had nearly 900 signatures overnight, and Mr Schrinner wrote to the Kedron dad today.

“Thanks for your message and taking the initiative on this,” he wrote.

“I’ve asked our council officers to take a more commonsense approach to the use of fire pits as part of a new trial this winter. We’ll be updating the enforcement guidelines accordingly.”

“Long story short, provided residents are respectful of their neighbours and don’t cause a major smoke hazard or burn anything toxic, we’re happy for fire pits to be used this winter. I hope this helps address your concerns.”

Harry, 13, Kirsty, and Tilly George, 9, were forced to extinguish their fire pit. Picture: AAP Image/Josh Woning

In a further statement, Cr Schrinner said he had been working with City Standards, Community Health and Safety Chair Kim Marx since the cold weather kicked in on a winter trial which relaxes the long standing rules around using fire pits in suburban backyards.

“It’s an Australian tradition to have a few beers around a fire pit and in the current environment where coronavirus impacts are restricting us to home and small gatherings, a backyard fire is one of the joys we can indulge in at the moment,” he said.

“Residents can now use braziers and fire pits for outdoor heating and our council officers will only be responding to complaints where there are serious claims of smoke issues.”

“We are taking a common sense approach and trust that the community will be the same. We ask everyone to be considerate of others, think about how close you are to your neighbours’ boundary and be reasonable about how big you make your fire.”

“Also, above all be safe – particularly if children are around.”

SEE MR MITCHELL'S PETITION TO BCC HERE

Until now, people have been prohibited from lighting and maintaining fires in the open air or in an incinerator for any purpose other than:

■ Where the fire is used to cook food for human consumption in a barbecue or similar structure (but not a fire on the ground or in a brazier)

■ For approved theatrical performances or similar approved entertainment events

■ Where the subject land is included in the Rural area classification (under the Brisbane City Plan 2014) and neither the height, width or length of the material to be consumed exceeds two metres

■ Where a permit has been issued by the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services

■ Where the fire is required to be lit by notice under section 69 of the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1990