Fire

If you received a Fire Prevention Notice last year, we may send you an Advisory Letter before inspections commence in November.

This letter is a reminder that all residents have a legal responsibility to maintain their properties in order to reduce the threat and spread of bush and grass fires. It is sent out as a courtesy, allowing you time to prepare your property ahead of any inspections made by our Fire Prevention Officers.

Our Fire Prevention Officers conduct fire hazard inspections throughout the shire starting in November each year and will visit your area to make sure your neighbourhood is safe and prepared for the fire season.

If we see property with a fire hazard, we will issue a Fire Prevention Notice. This notice requires the property owner to remove the specified hazard in 21 days from the issue date of the notice. Failure to act will lead to further action and an infringement.

Our officers will conduct a second and final inspection after the due date listed on your Fire Prevention Notice. This inspection is scheduled in order to check that the hazard has been removed.

If the hazard has been removed, the officer will make note of your compliance and this will be the end of the matter.

If the hazard has not been removed, the council will engage a contractor to remove the hazard at the cost of the property owner. This is called compulsory clearance.

Costs associated at this stage

If the property passes the second inspection, no fees will be incurred.

If the property fails the second inspection, the matter progresses to the next stage and fees will be incurred.

An authorised contractor will attend the property and remove the fire hazard within seven days of the second inspection. If the contractor arrives and the hazard has been removed, you will only be charged for the contractor's time to attend the site along with an administration fee, rather than the full contractor fee for works.

Costs associated at this stage

• Contractor's costs, plus

• $198 administration fee

The council will issue a Fire Hazard Infringement to property owners who fail to comply with a Fire Prevention Notice. These are issued under Section 41D of the Country Fire Authority Act 1958. Failure to pay the penalty can result in further litigation.

Costs associated at this stage

• $1,976 infringement penalty