Source: New South Wales Ministerial News
The City of Greater Bendigo is urging residents to get ready for the hot summer months by preparing their properties before the fire danger period is declared by the CFA.
The City’s fire prevention officers will commence property inspections in early to mid-October to ensure landowners are maintaining their properties in preparation for the fire season.
City of Greater Bendigo Municipal Fire Prevention Officer Darren Masters said current weather conditions will likely result in high grass growth which will dry out quickly and become a fire risk.
“According to the Australian Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for Spring, low rainfall for the past 18 months has resulted in an increase in fuel from dead plant material and vegetation,” Mr Masters said.
“Recent rainfalls will likely produce green paddocks during Spring, however with underlying dryness this could result in early curing which strongly influences ignition and the spread of a fire.”
“It’s important to start preparing your property now before the grass dries out and the fire danger period commences.
“Some key actions for residents include keeping grass low around homes and sheds, clearing gutters of leaf litter, removing flammable items from decks and verandas and cutting back overhanging branches.
“Properties that pose a fire danger risk with vegetation higher than 10 centimetres around dwellings can be issued with a Fire Prevention Notice by the City under the CFA and Fire Rescue Victoria Acts.
“Property owners who receive a Fire Prevention Notice must comply by treating the identified hazard within a defined period of time. This is typically three weeks from the date of inspection to ensure works are completed before the peak of the summer period.
“If property owners fail to comply with a Fire Prevention Notice the City can engage a contractor to undertake mitigation works. The cost of these works plus an administration fee will be passed onto the property owner. In some circumstances an infringement of 10 penalty units ($2,035.10) will apply.”
“The City encourages property owners to apply for an extension if they are having difficulty completing the works before the specified date.”
The City’s Fire Prevention Program is undertaken annually from October to February with property inspections commencing in the northern and western parts of the municipality, before progressing towards the southern areas.
The City will commence its annual Grass Slashing Program in November which includes rural roadsides and land that the City manages.
Greater Bendigo residents are reminded that they can dispose of their green waste for free all year round at the City’s Eaglehawk Landfill and the Heathcote and Goornong Recycling Centres.