With summer around the corner, Golden Plains Shire Council is encouraging residents to ensure their properties are prepared for the fire season, ahead of Council’s upcoming Fire Hazard Inspections Program.
A well-prepared property is more likely to survive a fire. It is important to reduce fine fuels on private property, which are the primary driver of fire intensity and spread. To make a property fire ready, owners should:
- Cut grass to a maximum height of 300 millimetres during the non-fire season, and then to a maximum height of 100 millimetres during the Fire Danger Period, or as directed under a Fire Prevention Notice;
- On properties more than two hectares, ensure grass is maintained to no higher than 100mm up to a minimum of 20 metres from the house or outbuilding;
- Remove any flammable material around the home, including cleaning out gutters;
- Clear dead undergrowth and fallen branches;
- Ensure any firewood is stored well away from the house or outbuildings;
- Trim excess vegetation along driveways; and
- Clearly number the property so that it can be easily found by Emergency Services.
Council will commence its annual property fire hazard inspection program on 2 November 2020. All properties deemed a fire hazard to the property owner or their neighbours will then be issued with a Fire Prevention Notice. The Notice will specify what works are required to remove the fire hazard by Sunday 29 November, 2020.
Council will undertake a second inspection from 30 November 2020 to determine if required works have been undertaken in accordance with the Fire Prevention Notice. If works have not been conducted, Council will issue a $1,652 infringement and arrange a contractor to attend and slash the property. Property owners will incur a minimum fee of $267 for this work.
Last week, Council made Emergency Preparedness Works Travel Permit application forms available on its website for Golden Plains Shire property owners living in Metropolitan Melbourne. While the border between regional Victoria and Melbourne remains in place, these permits will allow access to Golden Plains Shire for a 72-hour-period to complete emergency preparedness works. The application form and further information is available at goldenplains.vic.gov.au/fire. Completed forms must be sent to [email protected].
In mid-October, Council began its own fire prevention works, commencing the annual roadside slashing program of all sealed roads and strategic fire breaks to reduce fuel loads. Council also conducts burning of selected reserves to remove fire hazards. This program commences in the drier south of the Shire before moving north, with the program completed by Christmas.
Over the past three months, Council, with the assistance of the Victorian Government through the Working for Victoria Program, has employed a number of staff to undertake fire hazard, fuel reduction and litter collection works. These works have been shire-wide, and are in addition to Council’s Township Maintenance Policy.
For more information on Fire Hazard Inspections and Notices, including Frequently Asked Questions, visit goldenplains.vic.gov.au/fire.