Working Together to Keep Our Community Safe This Fire Season

Published on 20 October 2025

Fire-Prevention-2.png

As the warmer months approach, Southern Grampians Shire Council is encouraging all residents to start preparing their properties ahead of the upcoming Fire Danger Period.

Over the coming weeks, Council’s Fire Prevention Officers will begin inspecting properties across the Shire to identify potential fire hazards. These inspections are a key part of keeping our community safe and reducing the risk of bushfires this summer.

Southern Grampians Shire Council Mayor Dennis Heslin said if a property is identified as needing hazard reduction work, the owner will receive a Fire Prevention Notice.

“If you receive a Fire Prevention Notice, it will outline required hazard reduction work with the due date, helping to improve the safety of your property and the community.”

“To help residents get their properties fire ready, Council is offering free green waste drop-off at all its Transfer Stations from Monday 3 November to Sunday 9 November.

“This is a great opportunity to remove fine fuels such as long grass, leaves and loose bark from around your home”.

Conditions apply for the free green waste drop off:

  • Limit of 2m3 per customer, per day
  • Only green waste and small tree branches will be accepted, (nothing bigger than 200mm accepted)
  • No stumps, treated timber or other garden waste e.g soil, fencing wire, plastic strapping
  • Loads will be inspected on arrival and any contaminated loads will be rejected
  • Commercial loads are not accepted for free under this arrangement

Now is the perfect time to get started on cleaning up your property, here are a few simple steps you can take today:

  • Keep grass short and gardens tidy,
  • Trim overhanging branches and clear away leaves, bark and twigs,
  • Use your FOGO bin and take advantage of the weekly spring collection which continues until the end of November before returning to a fortnightly collection in December.

Acting now will help ensure you’re ready when the CFA Fire Danger Period begins in the coming weeks.

If you’d like more information about Fire Prevention Notices or want to report a potential fire hazard, please contact Council on 5573 0444 or visit our website Preparing for an emergency Southern Grampians Shire Council.

Resources to help prepare properties for the upcoming Fire Danger Period can be found via the CFA website How to Prepare Your Property | CFA (Country Fire Authority).

If you fail to complete the required work by the due date, you run the risk of receiving an infringement notice for non-compliance, and your property compulsory cleared by a contractor.

“Fire prevention is not a one-time job - it’s something we all need to stay on top of throughout the summer months. By working together, we can reduce fire risk and help keep our community safe this season,” concluded Cr Heslin.

 

-Ends-

 

 

Tagged as:
Back to top