Following the Victorian Government’s announcement today, Golden Plains Shire property owners living in metropolitan Melbourne or a locked down area of regional Victoria can apply to Council to travel to their property and complete emergency preparedness works.
Under the second year of the Victorian Government’s scheme, approved non-resident property owners will receive a Letter of Support from Council which will act as a permit to travel, along with a letter from the Victorian Chief Health Officer and Chief Commissioner of Police outlining their responsibilities and the penalties for failing to abide by the conditions of the letter.
The Letter of Support will allow access to Golden Plains Shire from 11 October 2021 for a 72-hour period, and can only be used to complete the following fire or flood emergency preparedness works:
- mowing or slashing cutting grass/scrub
- clearing gutters
- removing vegetation
- clearing around dwellings and out-buildings
- sand-bagging
- assessing damage
- making repairs
When travelling, any person from a locked down area must comply with the restrictions in the place of their primary residence. Property owners or their nominated representative must be able to stay overnight on their property or complete the works in one day, as staying with friends, family or at a regional accommodation provider is not permitted under current restrictions.
Under the same program last year, Council provided Letters of Support to 60 property owners to travel from metropolitan Melbourne to undertake critical emergency preparedness works on their properties in the Shire.
The online application form is available on Council’s website at goldenplains.vic.gov.au/fire. Property owners with further questions can contact Council’s Community Safety team at 5220 7111.
Mayor Cr Helena Kirby says the Letters of Support will allow essential works to be completed, but also requires applicants to follow the public health directions from the Chief Health Officer.
“With the recent wet and windy weather and approaching fire season, it’s time for Golden Plains property owners to complete their annual emergency preparedness works. This includes some non-resident ratepayers who will need to apply with Council to travel from their homes in locked down parts of the state.
“The Victorian Government’s Emergency Preparedness Permit program supports the fire preparation of our Shire, while ensuring that those who receive these permits follow strict public health rules on their visit to keep our Golden Plains community safe and healthy.”