Thank you to all residents who have already prepared their property for the upcoming fire season.
Over the past month, Council’s Fire Hazard Inspection Program has issued 275 Fire Prevention Notices to properties throughout the Shire that were deemed a fire hazard. The majority of the non-compliant properties are currently vacant or unoccupied.
Due to the recent wet weather, Council will consider extending the due date for Fire Prevention Notices for landowners who are unable to complete the specified works by Sunday 5 December. To request an extension, please email [email protected] or call 5220 7111 to speak with Council’s Community Safety team.
Council will begin the second round of Fire Hazard Inspections on Monday 6 December. If an extension has not be granted and works have not been conducted, owners risk a $1,817 infringement notice and Council organising a contractor to complete the works at an additional cost.
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 our 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.