The 2021/22 fire season is expected to be above normal conditions. To keep risks of grassfire to a minimum our Municipal Fire Prevention Officer inspects all properties in the City of Whittlesea to ensure grass is no longer than 10cm.
Municipal Fire Prevention Officer
9217 2170
info@whittlesea.vic.gov.au
Under the Country Fire Authority Act 1958 and Fire Rescue Victoria Act 1958, we have a legal obligation to ensure the community's risk associated with bushfire and grassfire is reduced.
Fire hazards on private property can include any of the following:
Our Fire Prevention Officers have the authority to enter properties to undertake inspections and to issue directional Fire Prevention Notices.
If the property owner/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.
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 Prevention Notices may specify:
You are required to 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:
As a property owner, it's your responsibility to advise us of your correct mailing address for the property you own.
Give our Municipal Fire Prevention Officer a call and inform us of your plans before the due date of your notice.
This applies to rural farmland only.
The Country Fire Authority (CFA) introduces Fire Restrictions - the Fire Danger Period - 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.
If you are concerned about a property near you:
We will inspect the property and, if required, will issue the owner with a Fire Prevention Notice.
Please note that 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.
Contact our Municipal Fire Prevention Officer to discuss your situation.
In most cases, an additional week may be considered, however we must hear from you before - and not on or after - the completion date on your notice.
Any extension longer than one week must be addressed in writing to:
If you notice a park near you has overgrown grass:
We do not have the authority to issue Fire Prevention Notices to state or federal government agencies.
We recommend you contact them directly:
Fire readiness is a high priority for us.
Roadside slashing forms part of a range of fire prevention activities that we undertake.