Fire Prevention and Education in the community
Published on 29 January 2021
Every year, in the lead up to the summer fire season, Central Goldfields Shire works with the Country Fire Authority (CFA) to identify and manage fire risks in the municipality.
Central Goldfields Shire Maryborough Ward Cr Gerard Murphy said that under the Country Fire Authority Act 1958, Council has a legal obligation to reduce the risk of fire for the community.
“We do this by slashing our roadsides and open spaces and our Municipal Fire Prevention Officer plays a key role in inspecting private land to ensure our landowners have adequately prepared their properties.
“Together, we all play a role in keeping our community safe during the fire season.”
Between November and April each year Council’s Municipal Fire Prevention Officer (MFPO) inspects properties within the Shire to ensure all properties have been maintained to minimise fire risk.
This involves removing fine fuels such as bark, leaves, twigs and long grass either as a fire break or the entire property. Fine fuels can contribute to the intensity and spread of a fire.
Council’s MFPO has issued Fire Prevention Notices across the municipality where additional work to a property was required with inspections now underway to make sure the work was completed.
Where work has not been undertaken Council may issue a fine and may engage contractors to undertake the work at the landowner’s expense.
Residents who know of a property of concern can contact Council’s Customer Service team on 5461 0610.
Council’s MFPO may inspect the property and provide the owner with a Fire Prevention Notice.
Council’s fire hazard inspection program is focused on reducing fuel loads immediately around assets such as houses and outbuildings within the townships of the Shire (areas within the 60km speed limits). If the fire hazard you are concerned about on a neighbouring property falls outside this area, it is unlikely a Fire Prevention Notice will be issued.
For more information about preparing your property for fire visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au
For information about what to do in a fire emergency, visit https://www.centralgoldfields.vic.gov.au/Property/Fire-and-emergencies