Plan and prepare for the upcoming fire season
Published on 25 October 2024
Murrindindi Shire Council is urging all community members to prepare for the upcoming fire season by cutting or slashing overgrown grass, cleaning up their properties, and making a fire plan.
Although the CFA Fire Danger Period hasn’t been announced yet, the drier than average conditions indicate that it will soon be upon us. It’s crucial for everyone to start preparing now for the threat of bushfires and grassfires.
Rural areas are more likely to be impacted by bushfires and grassfires, but it is important that owners of residential and industrial land also take the time to prepare their properties in advance of the Fire Danger Period.
Residential landowners are required to maintain the grass on their property to a height not exceeding 10 cm, to reduce fire risk throughout summer. If you own rural land over one hectare in size, you may be required to cut the grass around the perimeter of your property (a minimum of 10 meters from the property boundary), where possible to reduce that fuel load and slow any potential fire.
Community members are encouraged to make use of Council’s free green waste disposal. Between now and 30 November 2024, you can drop off your green waste for free at our Resource Recovery Centres in Alexandra, Eildon, Kinglake, Marysville or Yea.
As part of Council’s Fire Prevention Program, we are also taking steps to reduce fire risk across the Shire. In the coming weeks, Council’s Fire Prevention officers will begin inspecting properties across Murrindindi Shire to identify potential fire hazards and work with property owners to reduce fuel loads and meet your fire prevention responsibilities. Our Roadside Slashing Program is now underway, with contractors working across the Shire to maintain over 460 km of Council-managed roadsides.
For more information on how to prepare your property, visit cfa.vic.gov.au or our Fire and Heat page.
Murrindindi Shire Council’s CEO Livia Bonazzi said “Long range forecasts from the Bureau of Meteorology point to a hotter and wetter than average summer, and it is important that our communities plan and prepare.”
“I encourage everyone to take the time ahead of the Fire Danger Period to prepare or refresh your fire plan, clean up your property, and know where to get the right information during an emergency. The VicEmergency app and website are the primary source for emergency information. You can also tune in to our local Emergency Broadcasters”