Category: MIL-OSI

Source:

Wye River Captain Andrew Hack and Community Safety Coordinator and former Captain Roy Moriarty

Amid drought conditions, nearly 150 fire brigades in Victoria’s southwest will open their doors to community members throughout October, helping to prepare them for fire season.

With record rainfall deficits and an increased risk of fire for much of the southwest region, local CFA volunteers are prompting residents to get fire ready.

From Freshwater Creek, to Beeac, Cobden and right across to Nelson, members will base themselves at the fire station, general store or local market to educate their residents of the upcoming fire risk and ensure they understand how best to protect their families.  

Wye River Fire Brigade is no stranger to fire and will be among those getting involved. Captain Andrew Hack said town preparedness is a key focus for them in the lead up to summer, with their population rapidly rising from 100 people to almost 4000 in the peak season. 

“It’s interesting, you have a significant event like 10 years ago, but the longer the time passes from that event, people forget and can begin to let their guard down,” Andrew said.

“Whether it is cleaning up around their properties, getting their fire bag ready in preparation to evacuate, or simply understanding what their plan will be – it needs to be revisited.

“We just have to keep tapping away each year reminding people not to become complacent.

“CFA’s mantra is to be alert, not alarmed, and we just keep pushing that to people. We don’t want you to be scared, but we want you to plan and be ready.”

Recent winter weather conditions has seen a wrath of large debris needing to be cleaned up, particularly for those that live under the trees.

“Each year in the lead up to Christmas, the Colac Otway Shire Council drop large green skip bins in town and in Kennett River to allow residents to clear their vegetation,” Andrew said.

“It’s been a great way to assist people who would otherwise struggle to burn off themselves.

“Now is also the time to remove your firewood and any highly flammable items such as your doormat away from your home.”

Wye River Brigade 1st Lieutenant Tom Moore said the initiative is a great way to educate residents in understanding what an ember attack is and how they can protect their house.

Brigade members will be based at the Wye River General Store on Saturday, 11 October for their Get Fire Ready event, before opening their doors again on Saturday, 1 November for their annual community awareness forum.

As a thriving summer tourist town, the biggest challenge for the brigade is communicating with holiday goers renting houses, residing in the caravan park, or those driving in for the day.

“While we try to engage with property owners and real estate agents, it’s those who are here for one or two weeks at a time, or even for a day who are oblivious to the risks,” Andrew said.

“We understand people don’t want their holiday to be impacted, but on those stinking hot days with strong winds, this is not the place to be.

“Keep an eye on the simple signposting along the Great Ocean Road on your travels.”

Tom said it is important everyone stays informed via the VicEmergency App and listens to the local ABC. Reaching out to your neighbours is another valuable source of information.  

“For the period of time you’re coming down for a holiday, we ask you check the weather forecast in advance and see where the alerts and concerns are,” Tom said.  

“We have a lot of people moving into town who think the first thing they should do is head to the beach – but that is not where you want to be during a bushfire emergency.”

As a buffer between the firefighters and the community in the event of a big fire, the brigade has also created a community volunteer program, where members help with traffic control, disseminating information, and assisting the elderly, young people and those with pets.

“There’s lot of ways to get people involved other than jumping on the back of a truck, and they’re a really pivotal part of our response and a major help to us out on the fireground,” Andrew said.

To find out more about preparing your property, creating a fire plan or to find an event near you visit: cfa.vic.gov.au/getfireready 

Submitted by	CFA media

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

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Source: Murray Darling Basin Authority

Mr Speaker,

This Bill makes a number of changes to improve integrity, improve access and improve the information we collect about the education system.

First, it strengthens the integrity of the international education sector.

Second, it expands access for Indigenous students to study medicine by uncapping Commonwealth Supported Places in medical courses.

And third, it introduces measures in early childhood education and care to improve data collection and strengthen the integrity of subsidy administration.

International education measures

Mr Speaker,

International education is an important national asset. 

It brings tens of billions of dollars into the economy each year. 

It also builds friendships and long-term connections around the world.

And in the world we live in this is more important than ever.

But it is also a target for unscrupulous individuals trying to make a quick buck.

In September 2022 we announced the Parkinson Review of the Migration System.

And in January 2023 the Nixon Rapid Review into the Exploitation of Australia’s Visa System.

These reviews identified integrity issues in international education, and we moved quickly on a number of recommendations of those reviews. 

This Bill is the next step. 

The reviews made it clear we have a problem with collusive and unscrupulous practices between some agents and providers.

In response, the Bill inserts a new definition of “education agent” which better captures their activities. 

It strengthens the “fit and proper” test for providers. 

This means that greater scrutiny will apply where there are cross-ownership arrangements between providers and agents, and where providers are under investigation for serious offences.

It also inserts a definition of “education agent commission”. This will allow for complementary amendments to be made to the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018 to ban commissions from being paid to education agents for onshore student transfers.

And it gives the Education Department clearer powers to collect and share information on commissions. This will help providers to choose reputable agents and shut out those who put students at risk.

The Minister for Education will also be able to pause new applications for providers or course registration for up to 12 months where needed, so agencies can focus resources on integrity issues.

The Bill also requires prospective providers to first deliver courses to domestic students for two years before they can apply to teach overseas students as evidence of their commitment to quality education.

The registration of providers that fail to deliver a course to overseas students for 12 consecutive months will also be cancelled to help deal with ‘phoenixing’.

The Bill also allows, with agreement from the Minister for Skills and Training, the Minister for Education to suspend or cancel courses with systemic quality issues, limited skills value, or where needed in the public interest. 

Together, these reforms make it harder for dodgy operators to enter or remain in the sector, while supporting the majority of providers who are doing the right thing.

The Bill also amends the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act (TEQSA).

Providers will now require authorisation from TEQSA to deliver Australian degrees offshore. 

This means that students who study with an Australian provider overseas will have the same confidence in the quality of an Australian qualification as those who study here.

Authorised providers will need to notify TEQSA of new or changed offshore delivery arrangements and report annually on their activities. This will give regulators the information they need to monitor quality and address risks early.

The amendments are designed to provide oversight of offshore arrangements while also minimising the regulatory burden on Australian providers.

The amendments are light-touch, set transitional arrangements that take into account existing offshore arrangements, and utilise information that providers already hold.

These changes safeguard our reputation as a world leader in education, here and overseas.

Indigenous medical students measure

Mr Speaker,

Indigenous Australians are significantly underrepresented in our health workforce.

They account for 3.8 per cent of the population, but only 1.25 per cent of the health workforce.

That percentage is even lower amongst doctors. 

Less than 1 per cent of doctors identified as Indigenous.

The Universities Accord recommended that we uncap Commonwealth Supported Places for Indigenous medical students to help address this.

In the election earlier this year we promised to do this.

This Bill delivers on that promise.

It means every Indigenous student who meets the entry requirements for medicine will have a Commonwealth Supported Place.

Evidence shows Indigenous Australians are more likely to have a positive healthcare experience from an Indigenous healthcare worker because of their unique skill sets and cultural knowledge and understanding.

We also know that Indigenous doctors are more likely to work in Indigenous community health services and in regional, rural and remote areas. 

These communities also have some of the highest demand for doctors in the country.

This is an important reform that will help increase the number of Indigenous doctors in Australia.

Last year we uncapped funding for all Indigenous students enrolling in non-medical bachelor degrees at a public university.

It has already had a positive impact.

Last year the number of Indigenous students enrolled in a university course increased by five per cent.

This year it increased by a further three per cent.

Next year we will take the next step and expand this demand driven system to all Australians from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Early childhood education and care measures

Mr Speaker,

The third part of this Bill strengthens integrity and transparency in early childhood education and care.

Every year the Australian Government invests more than $16 billion in the Child Care Subsidy.

We are committed to building a universal early childhood education and care system that is safe, affordable and accessible for every family.

To do that we need a better understanding of the costs of delivering early education and care.

And this Bill will help us do that.

In MYEFO last year we committed $10.4 million over two years for the Early Education Service Delivery Prices project. 

This Bill gives that project the legislative support it needs.

It amends the Family Assistance Administration Act to allow the Secretary of my Department to compel providers that are constitutional corporations – if necessary – to provide cost-related data.

Data will be sought voluntarily in the first instance. But this power is important to help ensure that information is accurate, comprehensive and representative.

Getting a better understanding of the reasonable costs to deliver early childhood education and care services around the country will help us to deliver evidence-based reforms.

The Bill also makes three further changes in early education and care.

It expands the ability to use and disclose protected information, strengthening data governance, supporting transparency and ensuring continuity in reporting.

The Bill also aligns the date of effect of Child Care Subsidy reconciliation decisions with the date they take effect in the Child Care Subsidy system and in line with policy intent. 

This fixes inconsistencies that have been an issue since 2018, leading to over and under-payments.

Conclusion

Mr Speaker,

In conclusion, this Bill:

• Strengthens the integrity of our international education sector
• It helps increase the number of Indigenous doctors, and
• It will improve data collection and the integrity of our early education and care system.

All important and necessary reforms, and I commend them to the House.

Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

Representatives from the Australian and Victorian Governments and the City of Greater Bendigo will gather on Friday to mark the commencement of work on a multi-million-dollar redevelopment of Heathcote’s Community Hub.

The project has been supported with $2 million in funding from the Australian Government Growing Regions Program and $1 million funding from the Victorian Government Living Libraries Infrastructure Program with the remaining funds being contributed by the City of Greater Bendigo.

The project includes the development of a greatly expanded Library with tech hub and entry via High Street, multi-purpose community meeting and co-working spaces, outdoor community space, new accessible bathroom and parent and carer facilities, preservation works to maintain the heritage values of the building and landscaping of the rear courtyard.

When completed in the first half of 2027 the Community Hub will be home to the Heathcote Library and the City of Greater Bendigo’s Customer Service and Maternal and Child Health Services.

City of Greater Bendigo Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said the project is a major investment in Heathcote that will include refurbishment and expansion of the existing Victorian Heritage Register listed Municipal Office and former Court House buildings.

“The upgrades will help to preserve the heritage values of the buildings, bring them up to contemporary accessibility and multi-purpose standards and make them more energy efficient. It will be an important community hub that can support many different community needs, and uses, now and into the future,” Cr Metcalf said.

“Community hubs are important for healthy, sustainable communities and the City is excited to see this project now underway.”

Goldfields Libraries CEO Mark Hands said the project will effectively double the size of the Heathcote Library and enable Goldfields Libraries to increase their service delivery, programs and community activities.

“When completed Heathcote Library will meet the national library standard for floorspace area to accommodate Heathcote and District’s future population growth,” Mr Hands said.

“The new library will also introduce an expanded community technology hub with free public wifi throughout the building in response to the critical digital gap in Heathcote, where fewer homes have internet access.”

While the works are underway the Heathcote Library is operating at the Heathcote Mechanics Institute, 121 High St, Heathcote, the City’s Heathcote Customer Service Centre is operating from the Heathcote Visitor Centre, 106 High St, Heathcote and the City’s Maternal and Child Health Service are operating from Heathcote Health, 39 Hospital Street.

Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

I move that this Bill be now read a second time.

Today I am proud to introduce the Treasury Laws Amendment (Payday Superannuation) Bill 2025.

This Bill reforms our superannuation system to help ensure more Australians get the secure retirement they need and deserve.

From waiters and nurses –

To builders and teachers –

Aged carers and hairdressers –

This Bill makes sure their superannuation is paid on time.

Speaker,

Workers should be paid their super at the same time they are paid their salary and wages.

That’s exactly what this Bill enshrines into law.

It is a meaningful change that will take effect from July next year.

It’s a change that will strengthen Australia’s superannuation system.

And it’s a change that will help deliver a more secure retirement for millions of Australian workers.

Speaker,

Workers will benefit from more frequent and earlier super contributions, that will grow and compound over their working life.

For the average 25‑year‑old workers’ retirement balance, this is the equivalent of receiving an extra $6,000 in today’s dollars.

If a worker is missing out on their super the impact is even more significant.

In a typical unpaid super case for a 35‑year‑old, recovering their super leaves their retirement balance more than $30,000 better off in today’s dollars.

Speaker,

The need for this reform is clear and compelling.

While most employers do the right thing, some disreputable ones are exploiting their employees.

On the most recent financial year data, there was almost $5.2 billion in unpaid super that should have gone to workers.

That’s $5.2 billion that should be helping thousands of Australians in their retirement but isn’t.

This issue disproportionately affects more vulnerable Australians and women.

That’s because those on lower paid, casual and insecure work – who are more likely to be women – are most at risk of missing out on their super.

Super is an entitlement of workers, like salary or wages, and unpaid super is a form of wage theft.

This Bill will help put a stop to it.

It will also help the Australian Taxation Office enforce the law and more quickly identify employers not making contributions.

Currently, over a third of outstanding super debt is owed by insolvent businesses.

This is because unpaid super is being picked up too late.

When the ATO responds to an employee complaint, they are investigating almost 2 years of potential unpaid super, on average.

As part of this reform, we’re also investing into the ATO’s capabilities, so it can detect suspected non‑payment of super in near real time.

Speaker,

There is a productivity dividend here too.

Smaller, more frequent super contributions will help employers manage their payroll more smoothly.

This legislation also redesigns the superannuation guarantee charge to be fit‑for‑purpose and make Payday Super work.

The current charge is a blunt tool that isn’t tailored to employers’ circumstances.

And it is complicated for employers to correct late contributions and calculate their liability.

The redesigned charge will prompt employers to quickly rectify late or missed superannuation contributions.

And it simplifies the process.

Employers will no longer need to choose which period their late contribution should count towards or calculate their own liability.

This will all happen automatically.

At the same time, the new charge will deliver significant consequences for employers that repeatedly fail to pay their workers or let super go unpaid for long periods.

And it will make sure workers are accurately compensated for lost earnings if their employer is late in paying their contributions.

Speaker,

We thank the unions, industry, businesses and the broader community for their feedback, engagement and views to get to this point.

From the years of advocacy for change, through the consultation on the policy design in 2023 and more recently the draft legislation and ongoing engagement with the ATO working group.

We recognise that implementing Payday Super will require an economy‑wide transition.

Not just for employers but also software providers, clearing houses and super funds.

Because of this, the ATO has advised it intends to consult on its approach to compliance for the 12 months after the change starts.

The ATO’s approach will differentiate between low and high‑risk employers.

This approach will mean that employers who are making the effort to pay contributions in line with each pay cycle will fall into the low‑risk category.

This approach will address the feedback we’ve heard to ensure we are getting the implementation of this policy right, and workers and businesses will be better for it.

Speaker,

At the core of the economic plan we laid out in our Budget earlier this year is a simple objective.

Our government is ensuring more Australians earn more, keep more of what they earn and retire with more too.

That’s what this legislation is about.

You can see that in everything we’ve done since coming to government in the superannuation sector.

It’s why we legislated the objective of super – to provide income for a secure retirement.

We’ve increased the superannuation guarantee so it has finally reached 12 per cent.

We expanded the coverage of the superannuation performance test from around 80 products to more than 800 in 2023.

We legislated to align financial reporting requirements by funds with those of public companies.

We’ve also announced mandatory service standards.

And we’re better targeting superannuation tax concessions and reforming the retirement phase of superannuation.

Our plan is making a meaningful difference, and wages are moving in the right direction again.

In the 5 quarters leading up to the 2022 election, real wages fell in annual terms.

They have now grown for the last 7.

We’ve recorded the strongest annual real wages growth in 5 years.

We’re now on the longest run of real wages growth above 0.7 per cent in a decade.

And real incomes per capita are growing now too.

Speaker,

This legislation is another important step in implementing that plan.

It’s about getting your super when you get your salary.

So there’s more super savings for more Australians and more secure retirements.

And that’s why we are proud to introduce it to the House.

Full details of the measure are contained in the explanatory memorandum.

Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

The Albanese Government has appointed Luke Woodward as a full‑time member of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for a five‑year period.

This appointment will help ensure one of the nation’s most important economic institutions has the talent and expertise to remain strong and effective into the future.

Mr Woodward has extensive experience in competition and consumer law enforcement at both the ACCC and in the private sector, including in mergers and infrastructure regulation.

He was most recently a partner at King & Wood Mallesons where he headed their national competition law group, and was previously a partner and head of the competition and regulation group at Gilbert + Tobin.

He was previously Executive General Manager (Compliance) and General Counsel at the ACCC.

Mr Woodward’s appointment will strengthen the high level of skills and experience available to the ACCC, supporting its vital role in ensuring that key sectors of our economy are effectively regulated.

Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

Today, the Albanese Labor Government has introduced legislation to require super to be paid on payday, a reform that will benefit the retirement incomes of millions of Australians.

This legislation is all about reforming our superannuation system to help ensure more Australians get the secure retirement they need and deserve.

Our government is ensuring more Australians earn more, keep more of what they earn and retire with more too.

After the passage of this legislation employers will be required to pay their employees’ super at the same time as their salary and wages.

This important change will take effect from 1 July 2026.

It will strengthen Australia’s superannuation system and help deliver a more secure retirement to more Australian workers.

Employees will benefit from more frequent and earlier super contributions, that will grow and compound over their working life.

For the average 25‑year‑old workers’ retirement balance, this is the equivalent of receiving an extra $6,000 in today’s dollars.

If a worker is missing out on their super the impact is even more significant.

In a typical unpaid super case for a 35‑year‑old, recovering their super leaves their retirement balance more than $30,000 better off in today’s dollars.

While most employers do the right thing, the Australian Taxation Office estimates $5.2 billion worth of super went unpaid on the most recent financial year data.

This issue disproportionately affects more vulnerable Australians and women. That’s because those on lower paid, casual and insecure work – who are more likely to be women – are most at risk of missing out on their super.

The Bill will:

• Require employers to ensure super contributions are received by the employee’s fund within seven business days of payday, or they will be liable for the superannuation guarantee charge.
• Help the Australian Taxation Office enforce the law and more quickly identify employers not making contributions.
• Redesign the superannuation guarantee charge to be fit‑for‑purpose and make Payday Super work.

The ATO has advised it intends to consult on its approach to compliance for the 12 months after the change starts. The ATO’s approach will differentiate between low and high‑risk employers.

This approach will mean that employers who are making the effort to pay contributions in line with each pay cycle will fall into the low‑risk category.

We thank the unions, industry, businesses and the broader community for their feedback, engagement and views on this legislation.

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb has welcomed the appointment of Luke Woodward as a Commissioner for a 5-year term at the ACCC, commencing from 10 October 2025.

Mr Woodward is regarded as one of Australia’s leading competition and consumer law practitioners. He has more than 30 years of experience spanning competition and consumer matters, mergers and acquisitions, and infrastructure regulation in a range of sectors.

Mr Woodward worked at the ACCC between 1993 and 2000 in roles including executive general manager, general counsel and senior assistant commissioner.

He was most recently a competition and regulation partner and national head of competition law at King and Wood Mallesons.

“I am delighted to welcome Luke back to the ACCC. His expertise and experience across a wide range of fields relevant to the work of the ACCC is recognised not only in Australia but globally,” ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said.

“Luke’s strong litigation experience will be an asset to the ACCC’s work, particularly in our enforcement program and in Australia’s new merger regime.”

Mr Woodward holds a Master of Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School and degrees in economics and law from the University of Sydney.

He fills a position left vacant after the departure of former ACCC Commissioner Liza Carver.

Further information about the ACCC’s Chair, Deputy Chair and Commissioners is available at ACCC Chair & Commissioners.

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

The ACCC will not oppose Elders Limited’s (ASX: ELD) proposed acquisition of Delta Agribusiness after accepting a court-enforceable undertaking that commits Elders to divest six Delta stores in Western Australia.

Elders and Delta both supply rural merchandise such as agricultural chemicals, seed, fertiliser, animal health products and related services, such as agronomy services, through their retail networks. Both companies also supply rural merchandise at the wholesale level.

“Our review closely considered the likely effect of the proposed acquisition on competition in each local area where both Elders and Delta have a retail store, taking into account the specifics of each local area,” ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh said.

“We examined the strength of competing retailers, the particular geographic features and size and type of farms, among other factors. We also engaged with a range of stakeholders including farmers, competing retailers, wholesale suppliers, buying groups and industry bodies as part of our review.”

“The nature of competition in the retail supply of rural merchandise is more localised than is the case in other retail sectors, partly due to the differences in farming in different local areas, and the importance of local relationships,” Mr Keogh said.

“Following an in-depth review, we were concerned that the proposed acquisition would be likely to substantially lessen competition in several local areas in Western Australia.”

To address these concerns, Elders has undertaken to divest six Delta stores in Western Australia, and the ACCC has accepted their undertaking.

The ACCC considered, and has approved, Independent Rural Pty Ltd as the purchaser for Delta stores in Dalwallinu and Kalannie, and E. E. Muir & Sons Pty Limited (Muirs) as the purchaser for Delta stores in Albany, Hyden, Manypeaks and Wellstead.

“The ACCC considers that the undertaking provided by Elders addresses the competition concerns that would otherwise arise from the proposed acquisition. Independent Rural’s and Muirs’ acquisition of Delta stores in each of these local areas will create a strong, independent and viable long-term competitor to Elders in those six areas,” Mr Keogh said.

The ACCC concluded that the proposed acquisition is unlikely to substantially lessen competition in the retail supply of rural merchandise in other local areas where both Elders and Delta own retail stores.

In its Statement of Issues, the ACCC also identified potential competition concerns in the retail supply of rural merchandise at a broader regional, state or national level, and in the wholesale supply of rural merchandise in Western Australia.

Having reviewed additional information and engaged in further market inquiries, the ACCC considers that the proposed acquisition is unlikely to substantially lessen competition in the retail supply of rural merchandise at a broader regional, state or national level, or in the wholesale supply of rural merchandise in Western Australia.

“Ultimately, the ACCC did not consider that the proposed acquisition was likely to substantially lessen competition in any relevant market with the undertaking provided by Elders,” Mr Keogh said.

Further information, including the undertaking accepted by the ACCC, can be found on the ACCC’s public register at Elders Limited – Delta Agribusiness.

Notes to Editors

‘Agronomy services’ refer to advice provided to farmers by qualified individuals known as agronomists with specialised knowledge in soil and plant sciences. It encompasses a range of advice and services aimed at optimising crop production and farm management.

Rural merchandise is an umbrella term for agricultural products purchased by farmers as inputs into operating a farm and includes agricultural chemicals, seed, fertiliser, animal health products and other miscellaneous merchandise. Some rural merchandise stores also offer agronomic advice.

Background

Elders is an Australian agribusiness. It supplies rural merchandise through its 245 Elders-owned retail stores across the country and also supplies independent stores via its national wholesale business, Australian Independent Rural Retailers (AIRR). Elders also provides agronomic services, livestock and wool agency, real estate, financial, and feed and processing services across Australia.

Delta is an Australian retail supplier of a range of rural merchandise products and related services. Delta operates 64 retail stores, primarily in regional areas of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia, and also operates a wholesale business (Delta WA) in Western Australia. Delta also provides agronomic services, livestock agency, grain marketing, real estate and financial services.

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.