Winter fuel reduction program

A fire prevention notice is a legally enforceable direction, issued by a Council Municipal Fire Prevention Officer directing landholders to undertake works as outlined within the notice to reduce the risk of bushfire.

A fire prevention notice contains further information about how and why a notice has been issued, and details the appeals process if the recipient does not agree with the direction.

Only properties within the defined program area are eligible for the free kerb-side collection of trimmed branches and vegetation.

Council encourages all residents within high bushfire risk areas to undertake appropriate vegetation maintenance works on their properties. Council’s Community Fire Safety and Environment Officers are available at any time to provide advice and support on bushfire risk mitigation measures.

Disposal options for landholders outside the defined program area include:

• using their weekly FOGO bins,
• upgrading their bin size or adding additional green waste bins, or
• utilizing the three free green waste vouchers issued to residents prior around October. 

Residents can place their trimmed branches and vegetation on their nature strips immediately after receiving the letter and factsheet inviting them to participate in the program.

Council Officers will monitor vegetation loads placed on nature strips for collection throughout the duration of the program and facilitate collection as required. The end date for collection of vegetation associated with this program is 6 September 2023.

Council offers free property assessments to rate payers throughout the year.

Council Officers provide tailored advice regarding bushfire risk, including advice on vegetation maintenance, as well as specific risk factors and information to consider when creating a Bushfire Plan.

To receive further information/resources or to book an appointment, rate payers are encouraged to contact Council’s Community Fire Safety and Environment Officers on 5261 0600 or lodge a request.

Residents are encouraged to contact Council's Community Fire Safety and Environment Officers on 5261 0600 or lodge a requestto discuss this concern further.

A Bushfire Management Plan (BMP) shows all the bushfire protection measures that must be implemented as part of a property development to reduce bushfire risk to an acceptable level.

Any permit issued since 2016 for buildings and works in an area subject to a Bushfire Management Overlay will include a BMP. A BMP remains with the property and the requirement to implement the bushfire protection measures defined within the plan is ongoing.

The bushfire protection measures defined in a Bushfire Management Plan (BMP) work to reduce the risk of bushfire to property. The buildings on a property with a BMP have been built to withstand the impact of bushfire only when the bushfire protection measures defined in the plan are implemented and maintained.

Diverging from these measures, specifically vegetation management, can significantly compromise the resilience of the property, the landholders safety, and the wellbeing of property neighbour’s, their assets, and the broader community.

Management of vegetation within road reserves, particularly within the high risk areas and townships (our coastal communities), to reduce bushfire risk is vital. This includes measures/considerations around the volume of fuels, as well as their impact on access and egress.

Residents are reminded that under out nature strip policy, the planting of vegetation within road reserves in high risk townships by residents is prohibited.