Fire Prevention Notice

What is a Fire prevention advice & who receives it?

Fire prevention advices are sent as a polite reminder to land owners about getting their properties into shape as the fire danger period approaches.

The letter does not state that anyone's property is a fire hazard. It simply tells owners to make sure their property is maintained so as not to become a fire hazard

Basic advice is given about what steps to take, and council's fire hazard inspection program is explained, along with the powers the Country Fire Authority Act gives council in cases where a property is deemed a fire hazard (or a potential one).

The letter is not just sent to owners of vacant land. Some vacant land doesn't need a notice, and often land with a building on it does.
  
What next?

Council officers will conduct inspections of properties from the beginning of December to assess whether properties have been cleared of all fire hazards.

Under the Country Fire Authority Act, Fire Prevention Notices may be issued where satisfactory fire prevention measures have not been carried out.

The maximum penalty for failing to comply may be determined by the courts, with an on-the-spot penalty - refer to Regulatory Services. The law also authorises Council to enter a property and undertake fire prevention works (at owner's expense) where they have not been carried out as required, and rectify breaches of the Local Law.