Northern Grampians Shire takes no deviation from standard policy regarding fire prevention notices

Home owners, who are residents of metropolitan Melbourne, that are wishing to obtain letters of support or on-demand will be denied.

The Victorian Government announced on October 18, if home owners lived in metropolitan Melbourne and owned a property in regional Victoria, travel to that property was allowed if issued with a fire prevention notice requiring fire preparedness work, or if Council granted permission to travel for fire or emergency preparedness activities on that property.

About 100 properties within the shire are owned by a person with a Melbourne-based address.

READ MORE:

The Council have indicated a fire prevention notice would only be issued if council officers identify that a property presents a threat to life or property from bushfire.

The process for council to conduct fire hazard inspections on private property and issue fire prevention notices is already in place, and property owners cannot request a fire prevention notice.

Council officers will undertake Fire Hazard Inspections in Northern Grampians Shire from November, on commencement of the Fire Danger Period as declared by the CFA.

District 16 operations manager Bernie Fradd said he expected the fire danger period to commence from about mid-November.

Residents of metropolitan Melbourne will not require a permit to travel to regional Victoria if issued with a fire prevention notice, as the document would be evidence of reason for travel.

When fire prevention notices are issued council will ensure adequate time will be given for works to be completed.

Northern Grampians Shire Council chief executive officer Liana Thompson said it was important for the safety of everyone for the current process to be followed carefully.

"Council understands the frustration of Melbourne residents who are not currently able to travel to their rural properties but we ask them to be patient to ensure the safety of our community is protected," she said.

OTHER NEWS:

"If a property in our region is identified as a fire risk, the property owners will be contacted and a fire prevention notice issued as quickly as possible to ensure fire hazard reduction works can be undertaken swiftly.

"I urge all property owners to wait for council to contact them in regards to any works that need to be undertaken on their property."

There are many local slashing and gardening businesses that provide grass cutting services in the local area that can assist with works in the absence of the requirement to travel.

Council will keep residents informed of any future Victorian Government updates that may change the current advice.

Did you know you can receive updates straight to your inbox? To make sure you're up-to-date with news from across the region, sign up below.