Burning Off? Do it Safely

As the weather starts to fine up - but is not yet too hot – it’s a great time to start clearing sections and burn off excess dry material at your property.

But before you start burning off, it is important to understand the local laws and guidelines around doing so.

Restrictions on where and when you can burn off apply depending on where your property is located. You can use our handy “When can I burn off?” tool on our website – simply enter your address to confirm the restrictions that apply at your property.

 If you do get the all-clear to burn off, the local laws team provides guidance on how to burn off safely.

These guidelines include:

·        Burning dry material only – do not burn wet or green vegetation

·        Fires must be supervised by an adult at all times – please do not leave fires unattended

·        An adequate water source (such as a hose, or at least 10 litres of stored water) must be available at the site of a fire at all times

·        Material for burning must be stacked in a pile no larger than one cubic meter (imagine the size of a toppled fridge) at any one time

·        Only one fire can be alight at a time for Residential Bushland Areas

·        Burning off can only be done during daylight hours (between 8am and 6pm)

 

Remember too, to make sure that fires are completely extinguished (with water) at the end of a burn.

 

Embers blown from a smouldering fire can alight nearby trees or vegetation and cause a fire to spread very quickly, so keep an eye on sudden changes in wind condition as your burn draws to a close.

Just a reminder that burning off is not allowed during June and July, during the Declared Fire Danger Period (set by the CFA) or on CFA declared Total Fire Ban days. Please refer to the CFA website during these periods for updates.

The Council website has fact sheets for the burning off restrictions for urban, rural or residential bushland areas.

 

For more information on burning off -  or to confirm the burning off restrictions at your property – check out the Open Air Burning Off  page or contact Council on 1300 368 333.

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Celebrating Community Safety

October is Community Safety Month and we're taking the opportunity to mark the occasion with a fun and free event in Lilydale next Friday.

If you're free between midday and 5pm on Friday 18 October come on down to the Lilydale Train Station for a community event to celebrate and promote safety within the Yarra Ranges.

The event will feature a free sausage sizzle with coffee and hot chocolate available onsite. Showbags will be handed out and local musicians will be performing live.

A range of Community Safety staff will also be available to answer questions and address concerns from residents around safety in the region.

As well as the Celebrating Community Safety event on Friday 18 October, Council officers and police will be visiting businesses in Main Street, Lilydale to discuss safety in the local community on Wednesday 23 October.

Promoting safety makes a huge difference within the community and contributes towards helping people feel safer and enjoy life. Bring your questions and join us for a fun and informative event!

For more information, please contact Council’s Community Safety Team on 1300 368 333

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