Golden Plains Shire will enter the Fire Danger Period from 1am, Monday 13 December, 2021.
Fire restrictions will be in force until the Country Fire Authority (CFA) announces the end of the season.
Each year, the CFA introduces Fire Restrictions for all private land in Golden Plains Shire over the summer period. Fire restrictions are determined by the CFA in response to weather and fuel curing in the lead up to summer and they advise Council accordingly.
During the Fire Danger Period, there are a number of restrictions that residents must follow, and landowners must maintain the levels of fine fuels on their properties. Landowners in Golden Plains Shire are required to keep grass on their properties cut so it is no higher than 100mm during the Fire Danger Period. On properties more than two hectares, grass must be kept below 100mm, up to a minimum of 20 metres from a house or outbuilding.
Council encourages residents to make sure any burn offs are completed well ahead of the start of the Fire Danger Period. If you are planning to burn off your garden waste pile, make sure you have:
- Checked the fire danger rating. Do not burn off unless the rating is Low-Moderate
- Logged the burn off on 1800 668 511 or online at Fire Permits Victoria
- The means to immediately extinguish the fire
- Cleared all around your burn pile
Residents must be in attendance of their burn offs at all times and must ensure the fire is fully extinguished before leaving it unattended.
To find out what you can and can’t do during the Fire Danger Period, and on days of Total Fire Bans, visit the CFA’s website: cfa.vic.gov.au.
In 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 is anticipating another 470kms of roadsides will be slashed in the lead up to the Christmas period.
This year, Council is trialling a program to slash unsealed roadsides deemed suitable by its Environment and Sustainability Team. Council also conducts a burning of selected reserves to remove fire hazards. This program commences in the drier south of the Shire before moving north, with the program to be completed by Christmas.