Keep Baw Baw Shire safe this summer

Published on 16 November 2023

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.

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 www.bawbawshire.vic.gov.au/GreenWaste. 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,” the Mayor said.

“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.”

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. 

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,” Cr McCabe said.

“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.”

To find the VicEmergency webpage visit www.emergency.vic.gov.au or for Gippsland specific updates, follow their Facebook page at  www.facebook.com/VicEmergencyGippsland.

For more information on the Fire Hazard Inspections Program you can view the Frequently Asked Questions section on Council’s website at www.bawbawshire.vic.gov.au/FireDangerFAQs.

A remote mower in operation on an otherwise inaccessible slope.