Service spotlight: Fire season preparation begins now

Community Fire Safety and Environment Officer Andrew Roach carrying out bushfire fuel reduction on Council land..jpeg

Parts of the Surf Coast Shire are among the most vulnerable places to bushfire in Victoria.

Council plays an important role during the cooler months in preparing for the bushfire season by working with local communities to manage vegetation in these high risk areas.

We’ve been carrying out a winter fuel reduction program each year since 2009, targeting selected locations on a rotating basis.

This year we’re focusing on Moggs Creek and parts of Fairhaven and Lorne, taking in an area of around 800 properties.

The aim is to reduce or remove vegetation on private and public land that could fuel or accelerate the spread of bushfires.

Our staff are working in the nominated areas during July and August, managing vegetation on nature strips.

Property owners are urged to participate by managing vegetation on their own land during this time, including:

  • removing woody weeds; and
  • pruning trees and bushes that are within two metres of buildings.

To help, we’re offering unlimited free kerbside collection of vegetation within the fuel reduction program area until 22 August.

Property owners do not need to book this service – we’re monitoring roadsides within the program area and collecting as needed.

Our officers are also making themselves available to answer questions and educate property owners about bushfire prevention and preparedness.

“It’s important for Council and residents to do the work during these cooler months to get ready for the high risk times ahead,” Councillor Libby Stapleton said.

“It’s never too soon to start preparing.

“With such low rainfall during the first half of 2025, conditions are very dry and unfortunately that means we’re bracing for a potentially early, long and severe bushfire season.

“Managing vegetation now can help reduce the risk to your life and property, and give us the best chance of prevention and control of bushfires once the season starts.”

We’ve contacted residents within the program areas outlining what is taking place and providing advice on managing vegetation around homes and buildings.

Residents not within this year’s program areas are still encouraged to start preparing. Branches and prunings can be placed in green-lid kerbside bins, collected weekly, or taken to your local transfer station

Vouchers entitling residents to free drop-off of up to one cubic meter of green waste at the Anglesea, Lorne and Winchelsea transfer stations will soon be provided to all residents with their rates notices, with further green waste vouchers provided ahead of the fire season. 

The efforts of property owners, in partnership with Council, complements work carried out by Forest Fire Management Victoria and the Country Fire Authority, such as fuel reduction burns, mechanical treatments and the implementation and maintenance of strategic fuel breaks within and around towns.

Read more about fire preparation and prevention.

To contact a Community Fire Safety and Environment Officer call 5261 0600 or lodge a request. 

Top tips for vegetation management at home

General guidelines for removing vegetation include:

  • Always consider safety first;
  • Trim vegetation to create a clearance zone from buildings of two metres;
  • Remove any woody weeds (find out more about woody weeds); and
  • Thin out dense vegetation close to buildings or fences and create breaks in hedges. 

 

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