Golden Plains Shire residents are being encouraged to begin preparing their properties in the lead-up to summer.
Council officers started conducting fire hazard inspections on November 4 to identify properties that required cutting or slashing to meet Country Fire Authority guidelines.
Golden Plains Shire Council chief executive Shane Walden said landowners were required to keep grass close to dwellings or sheds cut to 100 millimetres high during the Fire Danger Period.
“With the fire season fast approaching, we all have an important responsibility to help reduce the risk of fire,” he said.
“Good fire safety practices help to protect everyone in our community, and I encourage residents to stay informed by visiting council’s website.”
High-fire risk properties like those with long and uncut grass near houses and sheds will be issued a Fire Prevention Notice, requiring that grass cutting or slashing be completed by the due date.
If works listed on the notice aren’t completed in the designated time, council may undertake fire hazard reduction works by engaging a contractor and invoice the landholder with the costs.
Failure to undertake the works listed on the Fire Prevention Notice may also result in an Infringement Notice of $1,923.
Roadside slashing will be conducted on council’s sealed roads, along with planned burning of selected reserves to remove fire hazards.
Landowners that receive a notice and cannot meet the required deadline or intend to have stock on their land must email council at enquiries@gplains.vic.gov.au
