How Council prepares for fire

Council manages only a small percentage of land in Nillumbik and works in partnership with other public landholders and private property owners to prepare for the fire season.

Council has a program of bushfire prevention and preparation works throughout the year to: 

• reduce fuel loads in our parks and reserves and on our roadsides
• help keep roads and fire tracks clear and accessible
• maintain and provide access to water tanks for emergency services
• prevent vegetation coming in contact with electric lines

The purpose of the works is to mitigate (reduce) the threat to life, property and the environment including native wildlife and endangered species.

 

Bushfire mitigation works undertaken in 2022/23 included:

• Fuel reduction including brush cutting, removal of debris, thinning vegetation and mowing is 81% complete across the Shire
• Box clearance (removal of vegetation around the required clear zone of the road) to keep roads clear and accessible in an emergency
• Tree hazards assessments
• Inspection and maintenance of fire access tracks
• Maintenance of water tanks

View Council’s full Bushfire Mitigation Works Program 2023/24(PDF, 258KB).

The program is reviewed and developed yearly in consultation with the Municipal Fire Management Planning Committee.

If you are concerned about the fire risk in a specific area, please contact us on 03 9433 3111 to discuss your concerns and a Fire Prevention Officer will undertake an inspection.

Find out more about how Council prepares for emergencies.

Communities First

The Communities First Project will support and strengthen existing community bushfire preparedness initiatives, while looking for new opportunities to collaborate with community members and agencies to ensure we are well prepared when bushfires occur in our Shire.

Find out more about the Communities First program.