Fire prevention

Burning Off

Burning off is restricted in certain areas of Moorabool Shire and during the Declared Fire Danger Period. Residents need to apply for a permit prior to lighting any fires. You are not allowed to burn household rubbish, building waste, or noxious materials like tyres or chemicals.

Fire Danger Period

The lighting of fires is restricted during the Declared Fire Danger Period. Residents need to check the CFA website or contact us to find out if restrictions are in force. This information is also displayed in local newspapers. Local Law permits to burn will not be issued at this time.

CFA Information on Declared Fire Season

CFA Fire Restriction Dates by Municipality

Local Law Part 2 - Open Air Burning

Residents may apply for a Local Law Permit to burn outside of the Declared Fire Danger Period.  This application must be completed and returned to the Community Safety department at least ten working days prior to the proposed burn.

Find out more and apply for a permit to burn outside of fire season here

Country Fire Authority Regulations and Permits 

Schedule 3 permits are issued during the Declared Fire Danger Period via an online system through Fire Permits Victoria. The online system allows Victorians to apply for fire permits when fire restrictions are in place, or on a day of total fire ban (TFB). The website is a collaboration of all of Victoria’s fire services, being CFA, DEECA and FRV.

Schedule 3 permits are no longer available through Council and can only be obtained through the Fire Permits Victoria website.

Using the FPV website, residents and businesses using fire or heat sources such as commercial catering, fireworks, welding and more can use it to:

  • Check if they need a fire permit.
  • Apply for a fire permit.
  • Notify authorities that they are using a permit
  • Register a burn-off when restrictions are not in place.

Permit holders must notify emergency services, and Fire Permits Victoria website makes this easy as the online system can notify the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA) and fire agencies when approved permits will be used. 

Fire Prevention Notices

If you have received a Fire Prevention Notice (FPN) and are unable to complete the required works by the due date, you may apply for an extension of time.

Can I request an extension?
You may request an extension where there are genuine reasons you cannot complete the works by the due date. Common reasons include:

  • Difficulty accessing the property due to weather or ground conditions
  • Delays in engaging a contractor to carry out the required works
How to request an extension

Online

You can submit an extension request using our online form Fire Prevention Notice Extension

Email

To request an extension, please send an email to info@moorabool.vic.gov.au and include the information listed below. Once received, your request will be assessed and you will be contacted to advise of the outcome.

  • Full name
  • Contact phone number
  • Property address
  • Fire Prevention Notice number
  • Original due date shown on the notice
  • Reason for requesting an extension
  • Number of additional days requested
  • Proposed new completion date

  • Supporting photos or evidence (if available)

Important information

  • Submitting a request does not automatically grant an extension. All requests are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
  • You must continue to take reasonable steps to reduce fire risk while your request is being assessed.
  • Council may request additional information as part of the assessment process.
  • If an extension is not approved, you must comply with the original notice to avoid enforcement action.

Frequently Asked Questions

Whose responsibility is it to maintain the grass / fire hazards on the nature strip?

The land owner is responsible to maintain the grass / fire hazards on the nature strip.

Can I report someone's property as a fire risk?

Reports of unsightly land which relate to long grass in residential (house or vacant residential block) areas, can be reported as a Fire Prevention / Hazard to the Municipal Fire Prevention Officer.

However, if this property is being reported for the risk of snake infestation only, this is not handled by Council, and landowners are responsible to remove, or pay for the removal, of snakes by a snake catcher from private property. 

Are there any local grass slashing contractors?

Local grass slashing contractors

As a courtesy to residents, we have compiled a list of grass slashing contractors who service the shire. Download grass slashing contractors here(PDF, 146KB).  For further information about fire preparedness visit the CFA website. 

Bushfire Resilience Inc. (BRI) is a local community organisation that aims to provide bushfire information to households based on science, experience, and best practice. This will enable households to acquire knowledge, and by being better informed, empower them to make better decisions in preparing for, and responding to the threat of bushfire. Find out more here.

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