Fire Prevention

• Local Law Burning Off
• Plenty Gorge Precinct
• Fire Prevention Committee
• Other Links

Local Law Burning Off

Residents are not allowed to use incinerators or burn off in the open air unless they obtain a permit (only available for large properties). Unwanted materials should be composted, mulched, recycled, or placed in garbage bins. For information on skips and hard waste collection please call customer service on 9490 4222.

To obtain a permit for burning off please fill out the application via the link below or contact the Local Laws Department on 9490 4222 for a Local Law's Officer to come out and inspect your property's suitability for a burn off permit.

The fee for a burning off permit is $90, subject to review on the 31st October 2007.

Declared Fire Danger Period starts 12th November 2007.  No permits for burning off will be issued.

Fire Prevention Notices

Each year, Fire Prevention Notices are issued as part of Council's annual fire hazard removal program. It is essential that these works are carried out by the expiry date on the notice and that the property is maintained in that condition throughout the declared Fire Danger Period.

To protect everyone's safety, you must keep your property free from fire hazards such as long grass or other combustible material. Council may clear fire hazards at your expense.

It is up to every resident and property owner to ensure that fire prevention and protection works are carried out on their block and nature strip area.

Plenty Gorge Precinct

Mr Bruce Esplin, Emergency Services Commissioner from the Department of Justice, launched the Plenty Gorge Precinct Integrated Fire Prevention Strategy on Thursday, 13 May at the Nillumbik Shire Office, Civic Drive, Greensborough.

Participants in this development were Nillumbik Shire Council, Whittlesea City Council, Banyule City Council, Doreen, South Morang, Mernda, Plenty and Yarrambat Fire Brigades, Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board (MFB), Parks Victoria and the community.

‘The Plenty Gorge Precinct is recognised by all agencies and the community as a high wildfire risk area,' said Councillor Michael Hall, Chairman, Nillumbik Shire Council's Fire Prevention Committee.

‘The Strategy was developed as part of the ongoing development of community safety within Nillumbik and surrounding areas. It has developed as a cross agency integrated fire plan for the Plenty Gorge and it provides consistency across agency boundaries. It is believed this is the first strategy of its kind in Victoria.'

The Strategy: 

• Explains the roles and responsibilities of the various players in fire prevention; 
• Explains the current plans, actions and interactions; and
• Allows greater community input to planning processes, and facilitate cooperation and participation in works programs.

This Strategy is in line with the State Government review of Significant Fire Events in 2002/2003 and will form part of the:

• Municipal Fire Prevention Plan for the City of Whittlesea and the Shire of Nillumbik;
• Parks Victoria Fire Prevention Strategy - Plenty Park; and
• Fire Prevention Strategies of both Country Fire Authority and Metropolitan Fire Brigade for this location.

A copy of the full Strategy is available to download below.

Fire Prevention Committee

The Country Fire Prevention Act 1958 requires Banyule City Council to establish a Municipal Fire Prevention Committee.

The committee is formed from representatives of the local fire brigades, other agencies and Banyule City Council. This committee primarily has a planning and advisory role which includes the following:

• Planning for the establishment of fire breaks;
  
• Advising of the existence of fire hazards and steps to be taken for their removal;
  
• Recommending actions for reducing the risk of an outbreak or for suppressing a fire which may occur in the area.
  
  

The committee also co-ordinates the development of Fire Prevention or Risk Management Plans. These are ultimately compiled to form the basis of a plan for the whole municipality.

Other Links

CFA   www.cfa.vic.gov.au  
MFB   www.mfb.org.au  
Parks Victoria   www.parkweb.vic.gov.au  
State Emergency Service   www.ses.vic.gov.au