Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action Rural Assistance Commissioner Peter Tuohey said farmers should be planning now.
“Seasonal conditions to date have supported average to above average crop and pasture growth increasing vegetation on farmland across large areas of the state,” Mr Tuohey said in a statement.
“As we know, bushfire risk depends on many factors, including weather and climate, fuel amount and availability, vegetation types, recent fire, and disturbance history.”
Farmers and rural property owners are urged to review their fire plans annually, as well as during high fire-risk periods.
Mr Tuohey said those measures were key to minimising impacts and enabling a faster recovery.
Agriculture Victoria’s Fire Preparedness Toolkit provides a practical guide containing checklists and templates to help review preparedness planning.
“It can help you map critical assets, water sources, assembly/evacuation points and stock refuge areas, as well as potential stock disposal sites in the event of fire,” Mr Tuohey said.
“Ensuring your property identification codes are up to date, is another thing you can do to help.”
A recent farm fire preparedness webinar, which can be viewed on the Agriculture Victoria website, discussed practical steps to protecting livestock, property and farm business and included insights from farmers who were affected by the January fires.
The toolkit is available at agriculture.vic.gov.au/bushfires and can be used in conjunction with resources from the CFA and local councils.
Greater Shepparton City Council municipal fire prevention officer Colin Kalms said since July 1 council had issued 149 notices to comply, relating to unsightly land and overgrown grass, with 25 matters progressing to infringement.
A further 12 Fire Rescue and CFA fire prevention notices have been issued by council since September 1.
“Council is very active in responding to both unsightly land and fire prevention matters,” Mr Kalms said.
To prepare for the upcoming high-risk fire season, he suggested residents:
- Keep grass cut to less than 10cm
- Keep woodpiles away from the house
- Store flammable liquids away from the house
- Get rid of dry grass, leaves, twigs and loose bark
- Prune shrubs well away from tree branches and prune lower branches of shrubs to separate from surface fuels underneath
- Cut back overhanging branches
- Remove flammable items from decks and verandahs, such as boxes, furniture and doormats
- Do not have large shrubs next to or under windows
- Keep gutters clear of leaf litter
- Use pebbles or rocks in your garden (not flammable mulch)
“Preparing your property means you can reduce the chance of property loss during a fire, even if you plan to leave early,” Mr Kalms said.
“Potential fire hazards are a danger, not only to the landowner’s property, but also to their neighbours and their property, to livestock, crops and pets.”
With significant grass growth across northern Victoria throughout the year, it is predicted to dry out earlier than usual.
“Rural properties should also ensure they have sufficient fire breaks and all firefighting equipment should be serviced and ready to go,” Mr Kalms said.
Moira Shire Council crews have been slashing roadsides, while fire prevention officers are currently inspecting the shire’s properties to help reduce fire risk this season.
The first Fire Danger Period has already been declared by the CFA in parts of south-east Victoria marking a fire season start two weeks earlier than the previous season.
Moira Shire Council chair administrator Graeme Emonson is urging residents to follow council’s lead in taking proactive measures to ready themselves for summer.
“We also held a green waste amnesty to support residents in clearing their properties,” Dr Emonson said.
“Council has brought forward portions of its roadside slashing program ... efforts will predominantly focus on council’s sealed road network, with works extending to the unsealed road network where weather and ground conditions permit.”
Fire prevention officers will also respond to complaints to identify fire hazards on properties.
Landowners may receive fire prevention notices directing them to slash blocks, create firebreaks, clear undergrowth and remove flammable materials from their land, which carry significant penalties for non-compliance.
Visit the CFA website for information on how to prepare your property for the fire season.
You can also request a hard copy of Agriculture Victoria’s toolkit by emailing recovery@agriculture.vic.gov.au.
