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Fire hazards

A fire hazard can be any vegetation or other item that has the potential to burn.

Fire Hazards Fire Prevention Fire restriction period Fires and incinerators Permit to burn Request rural roadside slashing

Definition of a fire hazard

A Fire Hazard by definition is any thing that by its nature or composition is a fire hazard or is likely to become a fire hazard.

Fire hazards can include things such as:

  • long dry or dead grass
  • papers cardboard etc
  • combustible/flammable materials
  • fuel such as a pile of tree branch cuttings etc

Fire hazards can be present in rural and residential areas on vacant allotments and in residential properties.

Property inspections

Council Fire Prevention officers conduct inspections across the region throughout the year as part of our obligations under City of Geelong Local Laws and under the CFA Act and FRV Act.

Fire Prevention Notice

Each year properties that are identified as having the potential to cause a fire hazard are served with a Fire Prevention Notice which directs that all properties must meet the specific requirements stated on the Fire Prevention Notice.

If the properties are not maintained to this standard infringements are then issued and the fire hazard removed at the owner's expense.

Notices under the Neighbourhood Amenity Local Law may now also be issued outside of the fire season when vacant residential properties do not meet requirements of the Local Law.

Failure to comply with a notice will incur an infringement notice.

Fire prevention costs

If the Fire Prevention Unit issues a Fire Prevention Notice to an owner or occupier of land and the Fire Prevention Notice is not complied with then the land owner or the occupier or leasee may be subjected to a fine of $1976 dollars

Extensions of time

A one - week extension may be granted if extenuating circumstances exist. The landowner/occupier must contact the Fire Prevention Office prior to the expiry date on their notice.

Block clearance service

For all grass cutting/slashing contractors please refer to the Yellow Pages or search online.

We do not:

  • recommend any specific contractors when ratepayers want to slash their blocks for fire hazard clearance purposes
  • arrange cutting of grass for you.

Please be advised that if you engage a contractor to cut and/or clear your property for you it remains your responsibility to ensure that the work has been completed satisfactorily prior to the inspection date for the area.

Further you will also need to diligently monitor regrowth and schedule subsequent cuts as necessary to maintain compliance.

Common Questions

We commence preparation for the fire season from late October to the end of December. 

This consists of roadside slashing on all non-biodiversity roadsides and excludes VicRoads networks.
No, we will not maintain nature strips on a regular basis.

We will only repair safety issues on established nature strips. 

Once the CFA have declared the start date/day for the  Fire Danger Period for the Municipality, all Fire Prevention Notices issued by the Fire Prevention Unit on behalf of the CFA will have a 21 day time frame for all works to be carried out by the notice recipient.  An extension of ONE week only will be given if exceptional circumstances are sought.

If you require extra time to clear your property you will need to contact the Fire Prevention Department to discuss the matter prior to the expiration date listed on the Fire Prevention Notice. 

The Municipal Fire Prevention Officer and the Assistant Municipal Fire Prevention Officer will assist you with this request 

You can contact our Fire Prevention Department on 03 5272 4494, or 03 5272 5272 and they will pass your message on.

Information about payment of the following fees can be found on your invoice:

  • Invoice for property clearance by our nominated contractor (minimum amount of $254)

The debtor number will be on the invoice. Please quote the debtor number when paying a fee for contractor clearing.

If the fee is in relation to a penalty notice issued for failing to comply with a Fire Prevention Notice or a Notice to Comply, then you will need to contact Fines Victoria.

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