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Fire Hazard Inspections Program for Baw Baw starts 1 December 2023 to minimise risks and better prepare for bushfire season

Preparing for the fire season in Baw Baw Shire by participating in Council's Fire Hazard Inspections program, which starts December 1, offering free green waste drop-offs for readiness.

By news@gippsland - 16th November 2023 - Back to News

Help minimise the risk of fires across Baw Baw Shire this summer and ensure your property is fire ready ahead of council's Fire Hazard Inspections program. Council's Fire Hazard Inspections Program will commence from 1 December 2023, or following the declaration of the fire danger period, whichever comes first. This program aims to reduce the risk of bushfires and their potentially devastating impacts to life and property.

A remote mower in operation on an otherwise inaccessible slope to minimise the risk of fires across Baw Baw Shire

Green waste drop-off

To help Baw Baw be fire ready, council will again offer a free green waste drop-off service at transfer stations in Erica, Lardner, Neerim South and Trafalgar, on varying days throughout November and December. To find out where your nearest drop-off point is and their operating days, visit Free Green Waste Disposal Days 2023 page. Each household can drop-off up to three cubic metres of acceptable green waste.

Baw Baw Shire Mayor Councillor Annemarie McCabe is urging residents to look within their own property and identify any potential fire hazards to help minimise the risk of fires across the municipality and ensure a safe summer for all. "Ahead of this fire season I strongly urge our residents to reduce fuel loads and take a look around their properties to see what could be potentially hazardous, ahead of the warmer months."

"It is important that we as a community do whatever we can to help reduce the risk of natural disasters, such as bushfires, and support our dedicated emergency service workers by ensuring our properties are fire ready. This includes cleaning up leaves on or around your house, cutting back grass and safely disposing of fuel," the Mayor said.

Fire risk mitigation

Fire Prevention Notices will be issued to properties deemed a fire risk, directing owners or occupiers to remove or clean up vegetation or other potentially flammable materials found on their land. To ensure that council is doing all it can to protect the community, Baw Baw Shire conducts its own maintenance to mitigate risks from fire.

This includes a grass cutting program, and in July this year, council also invested in new technology to access inclined and previously inaccessible vegetation that could otherwise not be safely reached by traditional mowers and operators.

Emergency access

Councillor McCabe also encouraged residents to stay tuned to the VicEmergency app and social media pages to keep up to date with the latest news and announcements this summer. "The VicEmergency app and website is the best source of truth and advice during an emergency, with a specific Facebook page dedicated to Gippsland."

"I encourage our community to look out for one another, so if you know of a friend or relative who might not be able to access the VicEmergency app or social media pages, keep them informed and up to date," Cr McCabe said.

Visit VicEmergency website or for Gippsland specific updates, follow VicEmergency Gippsland Facebook page. For more information on the Fire Hazard Inspections Program you can view the Frequently Asked Questions section on council's website at Fire Hazard Inspection Program FAQs.

Pictures from Baw Baw Shire Council website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com