Council’s spring property inspections underway
Published on 27 August 2015
While Mildura Rural City Council’s Parks and Gardens staff are always busy clearing weeds and debris on public land, residents are also being urged to begin tidying up backyards and blocks in preparation for the upcoming fire season.
With the recent warmer weather seeing spring bud-burst already, Council’s local laws staff are starting their annual review of potential fire hazards across the municipality and are reminding everyone that property owners are required to keep their homes and backyards in a tidy condition.
Community Development and Safety Councillor Ali Cupper said an early clean-up will ensure that our communities are fire ready by summer.
“Now is the ideal time to start looking at backyards and to remove any excess long grass, weeds or rubbish lying about. Fire hazards also commonly emerge on vacant land and non-productive irrigation blocks.”
“Our Local Laws staff constantly check to ensure people are doing what they need to in terms of keeping yards tidy but as the weather warms up it becomes a greater focus,” said Cr Cupper.
“We urge all landowners to take the steps necessary to ensure their properties are adequately maintained. Normally the Fire Danger Period starts around the end of October each year and once we enter that period, Fire Permits will no longer be issued.”
The opportunity for people wanting to back-burn or burn off rubbish is quickly drawing to a close, and property owners and occupiers who fail to comply with Council’s local laws can be fined.
Council works with other agencies such as the Country Fire Authority to monitor fire risk. Both Local Government and CFA Acts clearly stipulate landowners must not allow land to become unsightly or a potential fire hazard.
“Fire prevention and safety is everyone’s responsibility. Council works with the CFA and other local agencies to educate the community on how best to prevent, prepare for and respond to fires. This includes fire management planning, inspecting properties for fire hazards and issuing permits to burn.”
If Council does notice a potential fire risk with a property, they will issue a notice giving the land owner time to rectify the problem. While inspections have begun, people with concerns about a property in their neighbourhood can contact Council directly on 5018 8100.
Further information about fire permits, fire safety and keeping your property tidy is available on our webpage www.mildura.vic.gov.au/Fire-Safety
ENDS
Media enquiries
Angela Umback
p) (03) 5018 8689
e) angela.umback@mildura.vic.gov.au