Time to prepare your property and fire plan

With above average rainfall predicted for spring and summer, and with it, unprecedented grass growth, Mitchell Shire residents are urged to prepare their properties and bushfire survival plans.

Mitchell Shire is a high bushfire and grassfire risk area. It’s important people understand their fire risk, prepare their properties and make a bushfire survival plan.

In preparing their properties and during the fire danger period, residents are encouraged to:

  • Plan what to do in the event of a fire and know where to access information on high fire danger days
  • Download the VicEmergency app
  • Keep the grass short around your property
  • Remove, leaves, twigs and loose bark from around the home
  • Remove or prune shrubs near windows and under branches of mature trees
  • Cut back overhanging tree branches within 10 metres of houses and keep gutters clear
  • Remove other material that can burn from around your home such as boxes, furniture and woodpiles
  • Be prepared for power failures which could impact NBN connections and other telecommunication services
  • Pack an emergency kit of essentials such as important documents, first-aid, medications, blankets, water and a battery powered radio
  • Review your home insurance
  • Make a plan for pets and livestock on high fire danger days and in the event of an emergency

Council is also doing its bit to prepare for the fire season with the annual roadside slashing program and fire prevention property inspections starting soon, as well as preparing through our parks and open space maintenance program.

Regional property owners living in metropolitan Melbourne can apply for a travel exemption to travel into Mitchell Shire to prepare for the upcoming fire season.

Melbourne residents who need to undertake fire prevention works on their property are encouraged to engage a contractor to complete the works on their behalf whilst COVID-19 restrictions are in place.

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