Improving Fire Prevention Compliance at the District Council of Robe

For many regional councils, managing fire hazards on private land is a critical but resource-intensive task. The District Council of Robe in South Australia recently modernised its fire prevention compliance process, moving from a manual spreadsheet approach to a streamlined digital workflow ahead of the 2025–2026 bushfire season.

The change has made it easier for council staff to conduct inspections, issue notices and manage follow-ups—while maintaining the clear evidence and documentation required for statutory compliance.

Fire risk in the Robe region

The District Council of Robe is located on South Australia’s Limestone Coast, covering a largely rural and coastal area characterised by farming land, conservation areas and coastal settlements. These landscapes are highly valued but can also present bushfire risks during South Australia’s hot and dry summer months.

Vegetation growth on private land, particularly on the edges of townships and in rural residential areas, can increase the likelihood or spread of fire if not properly maintained. Under the Fire and Emergency Services Act, councils can issue Section 105F Fire Hazard Notices requiring landowners to reduce vegetation or other combustible material on their properties.

Each year, Robe Council issues around 100 Section 105F notices to property owners as part of its fire prevention program.

From spreadsheets to a structured compliance workflow

Until recently, the council’s fire prevention process relied on a spreadsheet-based system. While workable, it required significant manual effort to manage inspections, track compliance and generate letters.

When the council began exploring alternatives, they were not simply looking for a basic inspection app.

They needed a system that could:

• Capture inspection evidence in the field

• Work offline in remote areas with limited connectivity

• Automatically generate formal notices using property owner details

• Track follow-up inspections and compliance deadlines

• Provide a clear audit trail for regulatory enforcement

Implementing Crisisworks

The council implemented the Crisisworks Fire Prevention Notice system in November–December 2025, just in time to support the 2025–2026 bushfire season.

The project was led by Peter Ford, General Inspector, who was already familiar with the platform.

Peter had previously used Crisisworks while working in Stawell, Victoria, and knew it could support the full lifecycle of fire prevention compliance.

“We weren’t just looking for an inspection app. We wanted something that could manage the whole process—from inspections through to issuing notices and following up.”

The system combines a mobile inspection app with a web-based management platform that allows staff to coordinate inspections, generate notices and track compliance activity.

Simpler inspections and easier notice generation

One of the biggest improvements for Robe’s team has been the ability to conduct inspections digitally and generate notices quickly using owner and property data.

Field inspections can now be performed using a mobile app that works offline, which is essential for rural parts of the district where mobile coverage can be unreliable.

Inspectors can capture:

• GPS-tagged inspection records

• Photographic evidence

• Notes on hazards and required works

When a hazard is identified, the system makes it easy to generate a Section 105F notice, with owner details automatically populated into the letter template.

The platform also supports reminders and follow-up inspections, ensuring that properties are revisited if hazards are not addressed.

A flexible platform for other compliance activities

Another benefit the council identified early on was the flexibility of the system.

While initially implemented for fire hazard management, the platform can also support other inspection-based compliance activities such as:

• Parking enforcement

• Septic tank inspections

• Other regulatory inspections undertaken by council officers

This adaptability means the system has potential to support a broader range of council operations over time.

A positive response from staff

Since implementation, the system has been well received by council staff.

Peter Ford says the simplicity of the inspection app and the ease of generating notices have been particularly valuable.

“It’s very easy to use and makes the whole process much more efficient. I’d definitely encourage other councils to look into it.”

By replacing a manual spreadsheet process with a structured digital workflow, the District Council of Robe has strengthened its ability to manage fire hazards across the district while reducing administrative overhead.

Supporting safer communities

Effective fire prevention relies on timely inspections, clear communication with landowners and consistent follow-up. With around 100 fire hazard notices issued each year, having the right tools in place makes a meaningful difference.

Robe Council’s experience shows how even smaller regional councils can adopt practical digital solutions to support their fire prevention programs – helping protect communities and landscapes during the bushfire season.