Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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With calm autumn conditions across much of the state, communities can expect to see smoke in the air as a mix of planned burns, private burns under CFA’s permit system and agricultural burns take place over the coming weeks.

While current conditions are ideal for burning, weather patterns may cause smoke to linger over parts of the state overnight and through to early morning on some days.

FFMVic Chief Fire Officer Chris Hardman said it is crucial fire agencies take advantage of favourable conditions when they present.  

“Planned burning on public land is one of the tools FFMVic uses to keep Victoria safer from bushfires,” Mr Hardman said.

“Our climate is changing and that means finding the right days for safe and effective planned burning is becoming more challenging. Autumn typically provides our crews more opportunities to conduct planned burns, as the weather is more stable, and fire behaviour tends to be manageable and predictable

“With the current favourable weather and forest conditions, we are delivering as much planned burning as we can.

“Reducing dry vegetation such as grass, leaves, bark, shrubs and small fallen branches means fires are less intense and slower to spread, making it more likely that firefighters can keep bushfires small and contained before they pose a risk to communities.

“We work closely with Country Fire Authority (CFA), Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and Bureau of Meteorology to keep the smoke impact from planned burns as low as possible. We make every effort to make sure favourable weather conditions reduce smoke drift into communities.

“Victorians can register to receive notifications of upcoming planned burns at the Planned Burns Victoria website.”

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan is urging Victorians to understand permit requirements before conducting private burn-offs while the Fire Danger Period (FDP) remains in place across most of Victoria.

“We are now starting to issue schedule 13 permits to farmers to burn crop stubble to kill off weeds and reduce pests, however we remind Victorians, that no burning off is to occur unless people have received permission,” Mr Heffernan said.

“While the FDP has ended in East Gippsland, it remains in place across the rest of Victoria. It is vital that landowners check local conditions are safe and appropriate before burning off – both on the day and the days following.

“You may see a large amount of smoke in areas where these activities take place, so we ask farmers to let their neighbours know who may be sensitive to smoke so they can take necessary precaution.

“Any burning off activity should have enough water and resources on hand to monitor and extinguish and Triple Zero Victoria must be notified as awareness for emergency services and community members.”

Victoria’s Chief Environmental Scientist Professor Mark Patrick Taylor said EPA understands smoke from any source, including planned burns and private burn-offs can cause health concerns.

“Be prepared by watching for FFMVic planned burn notifications and by checking the air quality in your area through EPA’s AirWatch,” Professor Taylor said.

“Your nose is also an excellent smoke detector. If you can smell smoke, take the necessary precautions to protect your health.”

The Planned Burns Victoria website has details of all planned burns currently on the three-year Joint Fuel Management Program, visit  https://plannedburns.ffm.vic.gov.au/.

To find out what can and can’t be done during fire danger period, visit https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/warnings-restrictions/fire-bans-ratings-and-restrictions/can-i-or-cant-i

Check fire restrictions and register private burns at www.firepermits.vic.gov.au or call 1800 668 511.

Detailed information about current air quality throughout Victoria can be found on EPA’s website.

Visit the EPA website for tips about looking after health when there is smoke.

Source: South Australia County Fire Service

Homes that have been built to withstand a bushfire, and are prepared to the highest level, may provide safety.

You may lose power, water, phone and data connections.

Fire crews are responding but you should not expect a firefighter at your door.

What you should do

• Check and follow your Bushfire Survival Plan.
• Protect yourself from the fire’s heat – put on protective clothing.
• Tell family or friends of your plans.

If you are leaving

• Leave now, don’t delay.
• Roads may become blocked or access may change. Smoke will reduce visibility.
• Secure your pets for travel.
• If you become stuck in your car, park away from bushes, cover yourself, get onto the floor as the windows may break from the intense heat.

If you are not leaving – prepare to defend

• Identify a safe place inside, with more than one exit, before the fire arrives. Keep moving away from the heat of the fire.
• Bring pets inside and restrain them.
• Move flammable materials such as doormats, wheelie bins and outdoor furniture away from your house.
• Close doors and windows to keep smoke out.
• If you have sprinklers, turn them on to wet the areas.
• If the building catches fire, go to an area already burnt. Check around you for anything burning.

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What is a governing document?

Governing document requirements

When should you review your governing documents?

• are required to meet the governing rules condition
• should review their governing documents to confirm they are compliant with all substantive requirements.

You may need to update your NFP’s governing documents if:

• its purposes have changed since being established
• they don’t have appropriate clauses that prohibit the distribution of income or assets to members.

An annual general meeting (AGM) can be the ideal time to review your NFP’s governing documents, so any amendments can be noted in the AGM minutes.

How to update your governing documents

Your state or territory government may have specific requirements when updating your governing documents. For further information, refer to How to make changes to your rules or constitutionExternal Link.

An NFP self-assessing its eligibility for income tax exemption must not distribute income or assets to members.

This must be demonstrated by including clauses in the NFP’s governing documents that prohibit the distribution of income or assets to members both:

• while it operates, and
• when it winds up.

NFP self-review return requirement

Non-charitable NFPs with an active Australian business number (ABN) need to lodge an annual NFP self-review return to notify us of their eligibility to self-assess as income tax exempt.

When completing the NFP self-review return, NFPs are required to answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the question: ‘Does the organisation have and follow clauses in its governing documents that prohibit the distribution of income or assets to members while it is operating and winding up?’

This is an important requirement that must be met to self-assess as income tax exempt.

NFPs must review their governing documents before completing the self-review return, to ensure they are answering this question accurately.

If an NFP’s governing documents do not have this clause, the governing documents must be updated to include the clause.

If your NFP doesn’t have and follow these clauses in its governing documents, it can still self-assess as income tax exempt for the 2023–24 income year provided it has not distributed any assets or income to members.

As a transitional arrangement, we’ve provided NFPs up to 30 June 2025 to update their governing documents. Failure to do so will mean they cannot self-assess as income tax exempt from 1 July 2024, for the 2024–25 income year. They will be taxable organisations and required to lodge an income tax return or non-lodgment advice.

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Devonport woman charged with Arson

Tuesday, 1 April 2025 – 2:49 pm.

Police have charged a 39-year-old Devonport woman with multiple offences including arson in relation to a deliberately lit fire at Devonport last month. 
Emergency services were called to the fire on the corner of William and Madden Streets about 12.30pm on 6 March. 
Tasmania Fire Service Fire Investigators determined the fire, which destroyed a unit, was deliberately lit.
The woman will appear in the Burnie Magistrates Court in June 2025.

Source: Airservices Australia

At its meeting today, the Board decided to leave the cash rate target unchanged at 4.10 per cent and the interest rate paid on Exchange Settlement balances at 4 per cent.

Underlying inflation is moderating.

Inflation has fallen substantially since the peak in 2022, as higher interest rates have been working to bring aggregate demand and supply closer towards balance. Recent information suggests that underlying inflation continues to ease in line with the most recent forecasts published in the February Statement on Monetary Policy. Nevertheless, the Board needs to be confident that this progress will continue so that inflation returns to the midpoint of the target band on a sustainable basis. It is therefore cautious about the outlook.

The Board noted that monetary policy is well placed to respond to international developments if they were to have material implications for Australian activity and inflation.

The outlook remains uncertain.

Private domestic demand appears to be recovering, real household incomes have picked up and there has been an easing in some measures of financial stress. However, businesses in some sectors continue to report that weakness in demand makes it difficult to pass on cost increases to final prices.

At the same time, a range of indicators suggest that labour market conditions remain tight. Despite a decline in employment in February, measures of labour underutilisation are at relatively low rates and business surveys and liaison suggest that availability of labour is still a constraint for a range of employers. Wage pressures have eased a little more than expected but productivity growth has not picked up and growth in unit labour costs remains high.

There are notable uncertainties about the outlook for domestic economic activity and inflation. The central projection is for growth in household consumption to continue to increase as income growth rises. But there is a risk that any pick-up in consumption is slower than expected, resulting in continued subdued output growth and a sharper deterioration in the labour market than currently expected. Alternatively, labour market outcomes may prove stronger than expected, given the signal from a range of leading indicators.

More broadly, there are uncertainties regarding the lags in the effect of monetary policy and how firms’ pricing decisions and wages will respond to the demand environment and weak productivity outcomes while conditions in the labour market remain tight.

Uncertainty about the outlook abroad also remains significant. On the macroeconomic policy front, recent announcements from the United States on tariffs are having an impact on confidence globally and this would likely be amplified if the scope of tariffs widens, or other countries take retaliatory measures. Geopolitical uncertainties are also pronounced. These developments are expected to have an adverse effect on global activity, particularly if households and firms delay expenditures pending greater clarity on the outlook. Inflation, however, could move in either direction. Many central banks have eased monetary policy since the start of the year, but they have become increasingly attentive to the evolving risks from recent global policy developments.

Sustainably returning inflation to target is the priority.

Sustainably returning inflation to target within a reasonable timeframe is the Board’s highest priority. This is consistent with the RBA’s mandate for price stability and full employment. To date, longer term inflation expectations have been consistent with the inflation target and it is important that this remain the case.

The Board’s assessment is that monetary policy remains restrictive. The continued decline in underlying inflation is welcome, but there are nevertheless risks on both sides and the Board is cautious about the outlook.

The Board will rely upon the data and the evolving assessment of risks to guide its decisions. In doing so, it will pay close attention to developments in the global economy and financial markets, trends in domestic demand, and the outlook for inflation and the labour market. The Board is resolute in its determination to sustainably return inflation to target and will do what is necessary to achieve that outcome.

Source: New South Wales – News

Police and paramedics were called to Billing Street, Elizabeth Park about 1pm on Tuesday 1 April by reports of a violent altercation.

One person has sustained serious, potentially life-threatening injuries, and has been rushed to hospital.

Another person has been taken into police custody.

Billing Street has been closed to all traffic while emergency services are at the scene.

There is no threat to the public.

Anyone who witnessed this incident, has dashcam or CCTV footage that may assist the investigation, or has any other information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au

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We’ve reviewed our advice and continue to advise exercise a high degree of caution in South Africa. South Africa is hosting the G20 in 2025. During the year there will be multiple meetings across the country, which may result in increased traffic and police presence.

Protests and large gatherings can occur anywhere. Avoid areas affected by protests, demonstrations or large public gatherings. Monitor media for updates and follow advice from local authorities. Use major roads where it’s safe to do so and verify that alternate routes recommended by your GPS are safe prior to travel. Express kidnappings happen in South Africa. Always be alert to your personal security and surroundings (see ‘Safety’).

You may not be allowed to enter or exit South Africa on an Australian passport if you’re an Australian-South African dual national (see ‘Full advice/Dual citizenship’).

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CFA’s Oscar 1 Emergency Response Mine Rescue Brigade has brought home a podium finish at the Victorian Mine Rescue Competition (VMRC) over the weekend (28-30 March).

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

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Sale Fire Brigade

More than 100 CFA urban and rural brigades have left their mark in Mooroopna over March as the 2025 CFA/VFBV State Firefighter Championships officially come to an end.

Congratulations to all brigades, community members, and supporters who attended and participated in this year’s competitions. A full list of the 2025 Rural Championship and Urban Championship results can be found on the VFBV website.

The 2025 State Firefighter Championships are supported by the Victorian Government.