The time to prepare for the upcoming fire season is here with Council’s Municipal Fire Prevention Officers set to commence property inspections across the Southern Grampians over the coming weeks.
Fire Prevention Notices will be issued to properties identified as needing immediate works to improve safety.
Notices issued outline required actions needed to ensure properties reach an appropriate standard under the Country Fire Authority Act 1958 for the ensuing Fire Danger Period.
Council’s Fire Prevention Officer Jason Barker said it’s important that while the season has been off to a wet start, that residents begin preparing their properties.
“It seems a bit contradictory to start talking about the fire season when we have been witnessing the wet weather and flooding across the State,” said Mr Barker. “But we know once the warmer weather hits, the abundance of grasses we will have as a result of that rainfall will ultimately dry out and make huge amounts of fuel for the summer season.
“It’s important that residents are able to get on top of their properties now to minimise those grasses and reduce fine fuels like sticks, barks and leaves found around your home.
“We will be starting property inspections and issuing fire prevention notices over the coming weeks to those who are identified as needing to reduce fire hazards. The required works must be completed by the allocated date featured on the Notice or risk being issued an infringement notice.
“Reducing excess fuels can go a long way in minimising the intensity and spread of a potential fire on your property. But remember to be effective, this maintenance work must be continued throughout the entire Fire Danger Period and not carried out just as a once off.
“The 2021/22 season saw Council issue 224 Fire Prevention Notices across the region so we are hoping to see a reduction in that number this year and encourage our community to start preparing now,” concluded Mr Barker.
Residents who find themselves struggling to complete works as requested by the Notice deadline including access, physical limitations or other compounding factors, are encouraged to contact Council to discuss their options.
Property owners face a potential fine of more than $1,800 if works identified within the issued Fire Prevention Notice are not completed by the identified date.
Resources to help prepare properties for the upcoming Fire Danger Period can be found on the Country Fire Authority website, www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/how-to-prepare-your-property. For more information on Fire Prevention Notices, visit sthgrampians.vic.gov.au.