Preparing your property for fire season involves more than clearing firebreaks. Trees, overhanging branches and vegetation around buildings also play an important role in fire compliance.

If you own a rural property in the Margaret River or Nannup area, it’s worth checking your trees and vegetation before the annual compliance deadline. A freshly cleared firebreak might not meet your Shire’s requirements if low branches obstruct access or excess vegetation surrounds your home.

South West Tree Services helps property owners manage trees and vegetation to support fire compliance, protect buildings and prepare for bushfire season.

1. Understand Your Asset Protection Zone Requirements

An Asset Protection Zone (APZ) is a managed, low-fuel area around a habitable building. It helps reduce the risk of bushfire impacting your home. Both the Shire of Augusta Margaret River and the Shire of Nannup require a 20-metre APZ, maintained throughout the year. However, some properties may need additional measures.

Tree clearance requirements also differ between the two Shires under their 2026–27 bushfire compliance notices.

In Augusta Margaret River:

Keep trees at least 2 metres from buildings.
Maintain at least 4 metres of clearance between overhanging branches and the roof.

In Nannup:

Keep trees and branches at least 3 metres from buildings.
Maintain at least 5 metres of clearance between overhanging branches and the roof.
Under-prune trees within the APZ to 2 metres above ground level.

Nannup also requires larger APZs in certain downslope conditions. Therefore, check your property’s specific requirements before arranging tree work.

Remember to remove accumulated leaves, twigs and dead vegetation from around buildings, roofs and gutters. These materials can provide additional fuel during a bushfire.

2. Check Tree Clearance Around Firebreaks and Access Routes

Clearing vegetation at ground level is only part of fire compliance. Overhanging branches can also obstruct emergency vehicles, even when a firebreak looks clear.

Both Shires specify 4 metres of overhead clearance for relevant firebreaks and building access routes. However, the required firebreak width and layout depend on your Shire’s rules and your property’s category.

For example, Nannup’s 2026–27 notice specifies a 4-metre overall firebreak width, including 3 metres of mineral earth, along with 4 metres of overhead clearance.

Trees that overhang driveways, access tracks and firebreaks may need careful pruning to provide sufficient clearance. This work can prove particularly important on rural properties with mature trees close to sheds, homes and other structures.

Before fire season, walk around your property and look up as well as down. Check for low branches, dead limbs and vegetation that could restrict access. If you’re unsure whether a tree needs attention, an experienced arborist can assess the situation and recommend a suitable approach.

3. Get Practical Help With Fire Compliance

Every property presents different challenges. Mature trees, sloping blocks and branches overhanging buildings can make fire preparation more complicated than simply clearing a strip of ground.

As a local company, South West Tree Services understands the vegetation management needs of properties across the South West. Our experienced team has the skills and equipment to handle everything from straightforward pruning to more complex jobs involving branches over homes, sheds and other structures.

We can visit your property, assess the trees and provide practical advice as part of a free, no-obligation quote. We consider your Shire’s fire compliance requirements alongside tree health, environmental values and any approved property-specific Bushfire Management Plan.

That way, you can make informed decisions about the work your property needs before the deadline arrives.

4. Know Your Fire Compliance Deadlines for 2026

Planning ahead gives you more time to arrange tree pruning and vegetation management before the busy fire season begins.

For 2026, the general fire compliance deadlines are:

Shire of Nannup: 3 November 2026.
Shire of Augusta Margaret River: 30 November 2026.

However, don’t leave your Asset Protection Zone until the last minute. APZs require year-round maintenance, so regular checks help keep your property prepared throughout the year.

If you need help with fire compliance, APZ vegetation management or tree clearance, contact South West Tree Services. We work across Margaret River, Augusta, Karridale, Nannup and surrounding areas.

Get in touch today for a free, no-obligation quote and practical advice on preparing your property for fire season.