By Jessica Micallef
Macedon Ranges residents are urged to start preparing now for the upcoming fire season.
Fire and rescue agencies have started their preparations under a COVIDSafe plan to ensure burns and fuel reduction activity can be conducted safely, and residents in fire-prone areas are encouraged to do the same.
Although metropolitan Melburnians cannot travel into regional Victoria for leisure due to lockdown restrictions, Sunbury residents can now travel to their second property or home in regional Victoria to undertake fire preparedness activities ahead of the fire season.
Written formal approval from the council where the second property is located in is required.
Sunbury residents will need to provide the relevant council with details about the property, the type of work needed to be undertaken and the date of travel.
Macedon Ranges residents can continue to travel to a second property, holiday home or business iwithin regional Victoria to prepare it for an emergency.
Councils will also continue to issue fire prevention notices were it is deemed necessary to place an obligation on property owners to legally travel to a property to clean it up.
Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said that in the lead-up to the summer season, CFA brigades and Fire Rescue Victoria across the state will be running fire safety essentials online sessions to help residents prepare for fire risk.
“Significant planning has been underway for some time across the sector to prepare not only for the potential of fire, but also for the potential for floods and other emergencies,” he said.
“This is an important reminder for all Victorians to know where to go for emergency information and how you and your family can stay safe this summer.”
Police and Emergency Services Minister Lisa Neville said now was the time for residents to increase their understanding of the fire risk in their area.
“Prepare your property, talk to your loved ones about what you’ll do to stay safe from fire,” she said.
“Our emergency management services have started their preparations, so now it is u to all Victorians to understand their local fire risk and develop a fire plan.”
