Getting fuel reduction underway ahead of bushfire season
Published on 03 September 2026
Preparations for bushfire season are best started in winter, and Surf Coast Shire Council’s annual Winter Fuel Reduction Program has focused on Anglesea and Aireys Inlet in 2026.
The program focuses on different high-risk communities each year, encouraging owners and occupiers to reduce vegetation around properties and help create safe clearance zones between vegetation and buildings.
The early action can help save lives and property once the bushfire season hits.
This year’s program saw Council teams work with crews inspecting 960 properties in and around Anglesea and Aireys Inlet. Unlimited free collection of cuttings stacked by residents on nature strips resulted in creation of 503 cubic metres of mulch – enough to fill 2,096 big wheelie bins.
Crews also trimmed or removed vegetation from 360 road reserves to reduce risk for adjoining properties.
Delivery of the fuel reduction program rotates each year between Lorne, Moggs Creek, Fairhaven, Aireys Inlet and Anglesea.
Cr Mike Bodsworth: “Thanks and well done to all Anglesea and Aireys Inlet residents who supported this year’s Winter Fuel Reduction Program and took advantage of the free collections.
“The program has been running since 2009 rotating between high bushfire risk towns, and we are continuing to work with communities to enable it to be as effective as possible.
“Importantly, as well as making significant difference in practical fuel reduction terms the program shares the broader fire preparedness message across our shire.
“We all need to do all we can to help reduce risk here in one of Australia’s most vulnerable and volatile regions.”
During work on road reserves teams identified some nature strip plantings that were not aligned with Council’s Nature Strip Policy, which sets clear directions on permitted nature strip treatments within high bushfire risk areas.
Ensuring nature strip plantings comply with the policy is important to helping manage fire risk. Properties with non-compliant nature strips are issued with notices requesting removal of vegetation or landscaping.
“I encourage residents with questions about work near them to contact Council’s Community Fire Safety Team,” Cr Bodsworth said.
General fuel reduction guidelines include:
- Create two-metre clearance zones between vegetation and buildings.
- Remove woody weeds.
- Clear out dense vegetation near buildings or fences and create breaks in hedges.
- Always consider safety before trimming.
Prunings can be placed in green-lid kerbside bins or taken to local transfer stations.
In October, all residential property owners across the shire will receive vouchers providing free drop-off of green waste at Anglesea, Lorne and Winchelsea transfer stations, to support property preparations 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 and the implementation and maintenance of strategic fuel breaks within and around towns.
Find more information about fire preparation and prevention via surfcoast.vic.gov.au/FireReady or contact a Community Fire Safety and Environment Officer via 5261 0600 or info@surfcoast.vic.gov.au