Our fire prevention program is designed to keep people and property safe in our community. Fire prevention notices are one way we work towards reducing fire risk.
A fire prevention notice is issued when the Municipal Fire Prevention Officer deems it necessary to protect life and property from threat of fire.
The notice may be served to an owner or occupier of a property.
Fire hazards on private property can include:
- dead or long dry grass
- fuel such as dead branches, piles of cuttings
- wood piles placed too close to houses or fence lines
- other combustible material.
Our Fire Prevention Officers are authorised to enter properties to undertake inspections and to issue directional fire prevention notices.
If the property owner or occupier doesn't undertake the required works on time, we also have the legal right to enter and carry out required works on private land and recoup the costs.
Fire prevention notices may specify:
- parts of the land or property that need to be treated
- treatment methods for particular vegetation or material.
You must comply with the instructions in the fire prevention notice.
The works must be carried out by the due date specified on the notice you receive.
The notice does not authorise you to remove shrubs and trees unless directed to.
Follow up inspections are carried out on properties that have been issued a fire prevention notice.
If the prescribed works have not been carried out to the satisfaction of the Municipal Fire Prevention Officer by the due date:
- we will appoint a contractor to carry out the works specified in the notice
- the owner or occupier will have to pay all associated costs in carrying out the works specified in the notice
- in addition to the cost of work to meet the fire prevention requirements, we may issue an infringement notice. Read the Community Local Law 2024(PDF, 40MB) for more details and penalties.
If you are concerned about a property near you being a fire hazard, contact us as soon as possible.
We'll inspect the property and, if required, issue the owner with a fire prevention notice.
The Municipal Fire Prevention Officer works to a program and all properties in the municipality will be inspected at least twice during the declared fire danger period.
What if I don't visit my vacant block regularly to see how long the grass is?
As a property owner, it's your responsibility to maintain the property.
This includes ensuring that the grass is no more than 10 cm long for the duration of the fire season.
What happens if I moved house and didn't receive the notice before the due date?
As a property owner, it's your responsibility to advise us of your correct mailing address for the property you own.
You can change your contact details online or phone 03 9217 2170.
What if I'm planning to cut my paddock for hay, graze, cut for silage, strip grazing?
Contact our Municipal Fire Prevention Officer and inform them of your plans before the due date of your notice.
Phone: 03 9217 2170
Email: fire.management@whittlesea.vic.gov.au
This applies to rural farmland only.
I'm having difficulty getting the work finished by the deadline. Can I have an extension?
In most cases, an additional week or two might be considered, but you must contact us before - not after - the completion date on your fire prevention notice.
Phone: 03 9217 2170
Email: fire.management@whittlesea.vic.gov.au
A request for an extension longer than two weeks must be addressed in writing to:
Municipal Fire Prevention Officer
City of Whittlesea
Locked Bag 1
Bundoora MDC 3083
What if Crown Land or parks near my property look overgrown?
If you notice a Council park near you has overgrown grass, please contact us as soon as possible.
Phone: 03 9217 2170
Email: fire.management@whittlesea.vic.gov.au
We don't have the authority to issue fire prevention notices to state or federal government agencies. If the land near you is overgrown and not a Council park, please contact the relevant organisation:
The Country Fire Authority (CFA) introduces fire restrictions for all private land in the City of Whittlesea over the summer period each year.
The fire danger period can range from October to May, depending on the risk level predicted for the season. Visit the Country Fire Authority (CFA) website for more information.
For further details on preparing your property, visit the Country Fire Authority (CFA) website.
You can also read the Community Local Law 2024(PDF, 40MB) for more details.
If you're a fire prevention contractor, you'll need to complete a job sheet.
Submit your fire prevention work details online