Owners of vacant land in Maroondah are being advised that Council officers will be conducting inspections from November through to April to ensure that blocks are cleared for the upcoming fire season.
Each year in the lead up to summer, Council Fire Prevention Officers undertake proactive inspections of all vacant land across the municipality. This program is run as part of Council’s annual Fire Prevention Program and continues throughout summer until the end of the fire danger period.
Owners of vacant land should by now have received an annual Fire Education Letter outlining their requirements to prepare their block before summer arrives.
Councillor Rob Steane said it is the responsibility of the landowner to ensure their vacant land is maintained, which includes slashing and mowing over the course of the fire season.
“Council acknowledges that COVID-19 lockdowns over winter and spring may have made it difficult in some cases to access contractors, but now that restrictions have eased it is important that vacant land is maintained to ensure Maroondah remains prepared for the summer period,” Cr Steane said.
Property owners are encouraged to implement a regular maintenance program on their property to ensure all long grass is cleared and any potential fire hazards are identified and removed without the need for Council intervention.
Where owners fail to comply with the prescribed fire hazard clearance, enforcement action may be taken. Infringements may be issued to property owners and a contractor engaged by Council to carry out the required works at the owner’s expense.
“Grassfires can start quickly and spread rapidly, so it is important that we do everything we can to prevent them starting in the first place,” Cr Steane said.
Residential properties can use their fortnightly green waste collection to reduce fuel loads on their property. Alternatively, green waste can be taken to a local waste and recycling centre for disposal. Visit our Waste & rubbish page for a list of centres located in Melbourne’s greater eastern region.
Reporting a fire hazard
To report a fire hazard, please submit your request online via our online services or call 1300 88 22 33.
