Bushfire Season - a fire prevention wake-up call

Media Release
 
2 November 2009

While the Bushfire Season began with considerable fanfare last week, environmental and climatic conditions will govern the timing of local restrictions.  
 
Council’s Emergency Management Coordinator, Griff Davis, said the fire season announcement was a further wake-up call for property owners to ensure their fire preparedness activities are in line with the stringent fire safety guidelines.
 
“The important landmark for City of Whittlesea City residents will be the Declared Fire Danger Period - the beginning of restrictions -- with dates expected to be announced in mid November,” Mr Davis said.
 
“Under the guidelines grass must not exceed 10cm in length on properties under 2.6 hectares in area. Larger properties where grass exceeds this length must have a 20-metre-wide fire reduction zone around their boundaries.  Long grass and hazardous material should also be cleared.
 
“The guidelines become enforceable if Council Fire Prevention Officers - now inspecting properties - issue a notice on the property owner. Non-compliance with the notice will lead to fines together with the cost of council remedying the situation.”
 
He said residents concerned about fire hazards can be assured an intensive inspection program is under way.
 
Mr Davis said that in parkland and along certain rural roadsides, council was burning off to reduce fire hazards. These vital works may cause temporary traffic restrictions but council would ensure they are kept to a minimum.

 “Over the next six weeks, emphasis will be on priority roadside woody weed control and fuel reduction throughout the Eden Park area, to be carried out by Council staff and contractors, he said.
 
“Controlled fuel reduction burns in conjunction with continued woody weed removal and fire break slashing are also taking place through November at a number of Council conservation reserves in South Morang, Mill Park and Epping.
 
“Controlled burns have been successfully completed at Mill Park Lakes, the Quarry Hill Reserve and the Granite Hill Reserve,” Mr Davis said.

Controlled burns of woody weed stockpiles have also been carried out by Melbourne Water, with the cooperation of Parks Victoria, in the Plenty Gorge Parklands. The stockpiles were created between the Yan Yean pipe track and Yarrambat Falls during a weed removal project earlier this year.
 
The fire season wake-up call does not just apply to property compliance. All residents should be party to individually tailored personal or family plans along the lines of the Prepare - Act -Survive - guidelines outlined by the CFA. 
 
The next community fire information sessions will be on Monday, November 9 at Wollert Hall; Wednesday November 11 at Woodstock Hall and Monday November 16 at Yan Yean Reservoir.

For more information about fire prevention requirements or for advice about a property that may be a fire hazard please contact the Council’s Local Laws Department on 9217 2170.
 
For more information go to www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au or the CFA website, www.cfa.vic.gov.au
 
Media enquiries:
Communications Officer
Jim Linton
(03)   9217 2447