Picture: TODD LEWIS
FINES will be issued if landowners fail to clean up properties over the coming days in the lead-up to the fire danger season starting next Thursday.
Above average temperatures are expected in the next few weeks after recent rain, prompting fire fuel and soil to dry out and increase the danger over summer.
Grant District Council community ranger Dale Millar said townships were being inspected and notices will be served on landowners who need to clean up their properties.
He said people should be cutting long grass, removing limbs hanging over buildings and onto neighbouring properties and cleaning out gutters.
“Once notices are served, people have 14 days to comply with the order and if it is not complied with, we will send a contractor in and they will get a bill for the maintenance,” Mr Millar said.
He said property owners who were continually non-compliant could expect to receive fines from the council.
“These people can and will be expiated under the CFS Act and it is a $315 fine on top of whatever work is carried out by the contractor,” he said.
With many properties, including holiday homes, owned by people interstate, Mr Millar said it only required a phone call to arrange a contractor to conduct a clean-up.
“We know there are people who are only here at certain times during the year, so they do not get to see the properties and how they are looking all the time,” he said.
As well as cleaning up their properties, Mr Millar said it was paramount members of the community updated their bushfire action plans now.
“We have leaflets at the front counter of council offices in relation to being bushfire ready and they are also available on the Country Fire Service website,” he said.
“You should have a plan in place and there are areas mapped out by the CFS of your evacuation points within the district, which you can access.”
Region 5 CFS acting regional commander Sam Quigley re-iterated the importance of people in the South East taking measures to ensure their safety throughout the fire danger season.
He said the Sherwood fire last year should act as a reminder to people in the Lower South East about the devastation that can be caused by a blaze.
“I cannot understate the importance of having a plan and staying across reliable information put out from the CFS and Bureau of Meteorology,” Mr Quigley said.
“People need a plan for what they will do on a day of increased fire danger, as well as when a fire occurs.
“If your plan is to stay and actively defend, consider what may change and what you will do.”
Mr Quigley said communication among neighbours could serve as the best preparation when it comes to extreme fire danger days.
“An often really simple way to be prepared is to speak to your neighbours,” he said.
“If you have been busy, this time of year is a good opportunity to catch up and discuss how you will prepare and plan for a fire.”
Mr Millar said the authorities would be cracking down on unlawful fires when the season starts next week.
“There are specified areas where you can camp, but there are others where you cannot,” Mr Millar said.
“If you are going camping and you want a permit to light a fire, that’s fine, but we need to assess it first.”
