Our role

Fire management planning is a shared responsibility between the state government regional agencies such as the Country Fire Authority (CFA) and local councils.

Together these bodies put in place strategies and plans to help prevent prepare for respond to and recover from fire.

We have a dedicated Emergency Management Unit to help us meet our responsibilities and protect our community from fire.

Our role includes:

• Developing and maintaining emergency management plans for the region including a Municipal Fire Management Plan. This is done in partnership with other emergency services agencies.
• Carrying out proactive fire prevention planning through the Municipal Fire Management Planning Committee which also includes representatives from the CFA State Emergency Service (SES) and Victoria Police.
• Working with the CFA on removal or reduction of fire risks or hazards.
• Carrying out an annual fire season inspection program. This program sees City of Greater Geelong staff issuing around 2000 fire prevention notices on vacant land that is deemed a fire risk. Where the owner of the property fails to respond we hire a contractor to carry out the work needed.
• Implementing and regulating planning overlay controls to address risks to properties such as fire and flood.
• Supporting the CFA with resources when responding to fires (such as supplying graders water carts and other heavy equipment).
• Inspecting and issuing approximately 1700 permits to burn outside the fire danger period.
• Issuing CFA Schedule 13 permits to farmers to allow burning of stubble.

Roadside maintenance

We are responsible for maintaining roadsides along council-owned roads while VicRoads is responsible for maintaining roadsides of roads owned by VicRoads.

We carry out a first round of fire management works on rural roadsides each year in preparation for the fire season..

These works include the slashing of more than1100 kilometres of roadside across Greater Geelong and the removal of woody weeds.

Roadside vegetation is also pruned within the road envelope to enable safe access for vehicles. 

We will also respond to requests from residents. If you are concerned about long grass or fire risks in your area you can log a service request or phone 03 5272 5272.

We don’t however clear living or dead native vegetation from the road reserve.

Native vegetation on rural roadsides is protected and vital habitat for wildlife. Our wildlife has been particularly affected by both climate change and loss of habitat. 

Council-owned and managed public recreation reserves and nature reserves are maintained year-round by our Parks and Gardens team and Environment team. 

We work hard to implement fire prevention measures such as issuing fire prevention notices and maintaining roadsides as a matter of high priority.

What you can do

Our Emergency Management Team recommends all community members understand the importance of being prepared for fires.

We suggest that you:

• take note of fire danger rating forecasts for Victoria via the Bureau of Meteorology 
• adhere strictly to the law on days of Total Fire Ban and
• Visit the VicEmergency website or download the app for timely information and warnings.

There are several other steps you can take to prepare yourself your loved ones and your property for a fire.

Follow the CFA’s ‘plan and prepare’ guide for advice on what to do before and during a fire. It includes tips for:

• preparing your property via landscaping maintenance and home improvements
• understanding your level of risk (you don’t have to live in the country to be at risk of a fire)
• preparing a bushfire plan:
• What Fire Danger Rating will be your trigger to leave?
• Where will you go? What route will you take?
• What do you need to organise for your pets and livestock?
• How will you stay informed and who do you need to keep informed?
• how to give yourself the best chance of survival if you are caught in a fire.

If property owners maintain their property in a fire safe manner (for example cutting grass to 100mm removing fine fuels and any flammable materials maintaining trees and cutting them back away from buildings) any fire that may occur on the narrow strip of roadside should pose little threat.

Monitoring air quality

The EPA website is the best place to find up-to-date information and advice about air quality.

Poor air quality can affect people differently depending on age pre-existing medical conditions and the duration of exposure.

In the event of poor air quality Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Dr Brett Sutton advises:

• People with heart and lung conditions (including asthma) pregnant women children and people over 65 are most sensitive – these people in particular should minimise their exposure to smoke.
• Symptoms of smoke exposure may include: cough (or worsening of cough); nose throat and eye irritation or worse for more vulnerable people such as tightness in the chest and shortness of breath.
• For asthmatics activate your asthma management plan and if you don’t have one see your GP.
• Visit a GP if you are experiencing symptoms or call 000 if your symptoms are serious.
• In general: avoid exercise stay indoors and find a space where smoke exposure is at the lowest levels (for example a public facility with air conditioning). Close your home to outside air (shut all windows and doors).