Thank you to all residents who have prepared their property for the upcoming fire season.
Over the past month, Council’s Fire Hazard Inspection Program has issued 249 Fire Prevention Notices to properties throughout the Shire that were deemed a fire hazard. This is significantly less than in previous years, which is a testament to the community’s efforts to get fire ready. The majority of the 249 non-compliant properties are currently vacant or unoccupied.
Due to the recent wet weather, including last night’s storm, Council is extending the due date for all Fire Prevention Notices that required works to be completed from the original deadline of 29 November 2020 to 6 December 2020. Please note that due to delays in mail delivery by Australia Post, new Fire Prevention Notices with the extended due date will not be sent out.
In line with this extension, the second round of the Fire Hazard Inspection Program will not begin next week, and will now commence on Monday 7 December, 2020. 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 $279 for this work.
If you can’t get to your property, arrange a contractor or if you plan to have stock on your land, please email or call Council to request an extension of time.
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.