With the upcoming fire season fast approaching, Council encourages all residents to begin preparing their property in the lead up to summer.
Under State Government legislation, Council must conduct fire hazard inspections on private property. During the week of 4 November, Council officers will inspect many of the Shire's townships and will identify properties that require cutting/slashing in line with CFA guidelines. Owners of land in Golden Plains Shire where grass is close to dwellings or sheds are required to keep grass on their properties cut to a maximum height of 100 millimetres during the Fire Danger Period.
Properties deemed to be a high fire risk, such as from long, uncut grass near houses and sheds, will be issued with a Fire Prevention Notice from Monday 4 November 2024. Fire Prevention Notices will be issued to all owners listed on the title of the property. In the first round of notices, owners will be required to have completed works by the due date on the notice.
Grass cutting or slashing must be completed by the due date and the property maintained for the duration of the fire danger period. Residents who are genuinely unable to meet the deadline are encouraged to contact Council via [email protected] to request an extension of time. Any request must include an explanation of why extra time is needed.
Landowners that receive a notice and cannot undertake the work are encouraged to organise a contractor as soon as possible to assist with works.
Residents who intend to have stock on their land must inform Council via [email protected] if they have received a Fire Prevention Notice. Council may request slashing around structures and the boundary in these situations.
If the works listed on the Fire Prevention Notice are not completed and no correspondence is received, Council may undertake fire hazard reduction works by engaging a contractor. Council will invoice the landholder with these costs. Failure to undertake the works listed on the Fire Prevention Notice may also result in an Infringement Notice of $1,923.
Golden Plains Shire Council CEO Shane Walden encouraged residents to prepare their property this fire season.
“With the fire season fast approaching, we all have an important responsibility to help reduce the risk of fire. Good fire safety practices help to protect everyone in our community, and I encourage residents to stay informed by vising Council’s website at goldenplains.vic.gov.au/community/fire-flood-and-emergencies,” Mr Walden said.
Council will be conducting roadside slashing of all of Council’s sealed roads and CFA approved strategic fire breaks. Council also conducts planned burning of selected reserves to remove the fire hazard and for ecological purposes.
For more information, visit goldenplains.vic.gov.au/community/fire-flood-and-emergencies, contact Council’s Emergency Management team at [email protected] or call 5220 7111.