WITH the Southern Grampians Shire now into its Fire Danger Period, residents have been asked to make sure they are ready for summer and the fire risks associated.
Southern Grampians Shire Council (SGSC) chief executive, Tony Doyle, said that council had been running property inspections to identify fire risks.
“Fire Prevention Officers have been out and about inspecting properties, and we’ve had a growing number of residents actively on the lookout for areas that pose a significant fire risk and informing Council, which is very positive,” he said.
“Every year we urge everyone to prepare for fire season as best as they can, and it’s great to see that residents are taking an active role in protecting their communities from fire risks.”
Fire Prevention Notices will be issued to properties identified as needing immediate works to improve safety, which outline actions needed to ensure properties are as fire safe as possible under the Country Fire Authority Act 1958 for the ensuing Fire Danger Period.
The required works must be completed by the allocated date featured on the notice to avoid fines.
SGSC Community Safety & Natural Resources coordinator, Bonnie Hewett, said it was looking like a very dry summer.
“It’s important that we are all well prepared for this upcoming season,” she said.
“When the warm weather hits, the abundance of grasses we have because of previous rainfall will ultimately dry out and create fuel for the summer season.
“It’s important that residents get on top of their properties now to minimise those grasses and reduce fire fuels like sticks, barks and leaves found around homes.”
Meanwhile, Lowan MP, Emma Kealy has pointed out that more could be done by the State Government to ensure land under public control included ongoing reduction of overgrown vegetation, especially on roadsides, “as a matter of urgency”.
She said the government’s fuel reduction program had become a monumental failure and her office continued to receive complaints from residents calling for extensive slashing of roadsides and public areas prior to summer.
“Many of our country towns and farming districts are bordered by massive areas of public land which are poorly managed,” she said.
“There is extensive vegetation growth on roadsides right across the region with out-of-control and highly flammable long grass, dead wood and weed species.
‘It is well known that unkept roadsides act as a wick during bushfire events, with experts confirming that community safety is significantly improved when roadside fuel loads are reduced through slashing, burning, and weed management.
“Local Councils simply don’t have the money to keep the sides of the roads continually slashed.
“Fuel load reduction on our roadsides must be prioritised and the Labor Government must immediately commit to an intensive slashing and vegetation removal program across regional Victoria given the forecast weather pattern for this summer.
“The overriding priority of the State Government must be the protection of human life … fuel reduction saves lives, and we need to do everything possible to mitigate the risk of catastrophic fires impacting our local communities.”
Ms Kealy is urging all residents to have a fire plan prepared and in place and be ready for what is predicted to be an early start to the fire season.
Communities should keep up to date with local Fire Danger Ratings through the VicEmergency app and website, and by listening to their local media.
Southern Grampians residents who find themselves struggling to complete works as requested by a notice deadline have been asked to contact council to discuss.
For more information on Fire Prevention Notices, visit sthgrampians.vic.gov.au
Resources to help prepare properties for the upcoming Fire Danger Period can be found on the Country Fire Authority website, bit.ly/CFA23pre
