The Fire Danger Period for the Gannawarra Shire usually occurs between November and May each year, with restrictions on the lighting of fires to be in place at this time.
The 2024/25 Fire Danger Period for the Gannawarra Shire ended at 1am Monday, 7 April 2025. Details regarding the 2025/26 Fire Danger Period will be announced in late 2025.
For burn-offs prior to, and after, the declared Fire Danger Period, ensure you comply with Gannawarra Shire Council Local Laws, inform your adjoining neighbours and always register your burn with VicFire on 1800 668 511.
For more information visit the Country Fire Authority's Can I or Can't I? page, which can be viewed by clicking on the image below:
For all current information relating to fires please visit the www.cfa.vic.gov.au or contact your local CFA Office in Kerang on (03) 5450 3406.
The Gannawarra poses various risks to properties during the fire season. Areas near forests may be at risk, whilst grain harvesting and paddock operations have historically contributed to fires that have threatened properties.
For more information about what you can do to prepare your property for the fire season, visit the CFA website or watch the video below.
Council's Local Laws Officers/Municipal Fire Prevention Officers check properties across the Gannawarra leading up to and during the Fire Danger Period to assess them for fire hazards.
Properties deemed to be a high fire risk (e.g. long uncut grass) are issued with a Fire Prevention Notice instructing the landholder to carry out works to reduce the risk.
To learn more about the Fire Prevention Notice process, please click on any of the headings below.
If you have further questions about Fire Prevention Notices contact Council’s Local Laws Officers or Municipal Fire Prevention Officer on (03) 5450 9333.
Stage 1 - Courtesy letter
A Courtesy Letter is issued to a property owner who received a Fire Prevention Notice the previous fire season.
The letter is issued as a reminder to prepare their property for the coming fire season without waiting for a Fire Prevention Notice.
All property owners and residents have a responsibility to maintain their properties and reduce the threat and spread of bush and grass fires.
Cost associated at this stage
$0.00
No fee associated
Stage 2 - First inspection
Fire Prevention Officers will inspect all areas conducting fire hazard inspections to ensure neighbourhoods are prepared for the fire season.
If a property is identified as having a fire hazard, a Fire Prevention Notice will be issued under the CFA Act, which requires the property owner to remove the fire hazard as directed by the expiry date or face further action and a fine. For more information about Fire Prevention Notices, please click here.
Cost associated at this stage
$0.00
No fee associated
Stage 3 - Second inspection
Fire Prevention Officers will conduct a second inspection after the expiry date on the Fire Prevention Notice, to confirm that the fire hazard has been removed.
If the Fire Prevention Notice has been complied with, no further action will be required.
If not, Council will engage a contractor to remove the fire hazard. This is called a “Compulsory Clearance”.
Cost associated at this stage
$0.00
No fee associated
Stage 4 - Compulsory clearance
An authorised contractor will remove the fire hazard at their earliest opportunity after the second inspection.
All fees associated with this action will be borne by the property owner.
Cost associated at this stage
Relevant Council fees and charges
Stage 5 - Infringement
Council may issue a Fire Hazard Infringement to property owners who fail to comply with Fire Prevention Notices. These are issued under Section 41D of the Country Fire Authority Act. Failure to pay the penalty can result in further litigation.
Costs associated at this stage
$2,035 infringement penalty
Community Amenity Local Law 2023
Part 2 – Your Property and Animals
Division 1 - Your Property
Section 16 - Open air burning
16.1 A Person must not, on Private Land under 0.5 hectares, light a fire or allow a fire to remain alight in the open air, including an Incinerator.
16.2 A Person must not burn or cause to be burnt, or allow to remain alight in the open air, including in an Incinerator or other similar device, in the Municipal District any:
(a) any offensive materials; or
(b) any materials that cause offensive emissions of smoke and odour to enter any neighbouring residential property.
16.3 The following matters are exempt from this clause:
(a) a fire lit for domestic cooking purposes in a permanent of portable Barbeque, a wood fire oven, copper stand burner or other similar cooking device.
(b) a properly constructed fireplace including a metal brazier, chiminea or similar type structure lit for heating purposes.
Explanatory Note for a Schedule 15 Fire Prevention Notice
Power and Purpose
The municipal fire prevention officer of the council has the power under section 41 of the Country Fire Authority Act 1958 to issue this notice.
The purpose of this notice is to require you take the necessary steps to protect your life and property, and that of your neighbours, from the threat of fire.
Effect of not complying with this notice
If you do not comply with this notice within the time allowed or you do not lodge an objection (see below):
• The municipal fire prevention officer may arrange for the council, a fire brigade or other contractor to enter upon your land and take the steps specified in this notice.
The council will then send you an account for the cost of taking these steps. If you do not pay the account, the council can take you to court to recover the cost including interest on the money owed (see sections 225 and 232 Local Government Act 1989.)
In addition:
• The municipal fire prevention officer may serve you with a fire prevention infringement notice (“infringement notice”) for failing to comply with this notice and requiring you to pay a penalty of 10 penalty units within a specified time.
(Not less than 28 days after the infringement notice has been served.)
Failure to pay the infringement penalty by the due date may result in further enforcement action being taken and may incur further costs.
Or
• Proceedings may be taken against you for a failure to comply with this notice. If proceedings are taken, you can be fined up to 50 penalty units or imprisoned for a period of up to 12 months (see section 41D(1) Country Fire Authority Act 1958.)
Objection
You can object to this notice if you wish (see section 41B Country Fire Authority Act 1958,) by lodging your objection with the municipal fire prevention officer within 7 days of the service of this notice, stating your grounds of objection.
Within 14 days of lodging an objection, the municipal fire prevention officer must confirm or vary this notice (specifying the new time within which you must comply) or withdraw this notice.
Appeals
If you have lodged an objection and the municipal fire prevention officer fails to confirm, vary or withdraw the notice within 14 days, or you are not satisfied with a confirmation or variation of the notice, you may appeal (see section 41C Country Fire Authority Act 1958.)
Appeals must:
1. Be in writing;
2. Be lodged with the Chief Officer, Country Fire Authority, 8 Lakeside Drive, East Burwood, 3151, within 7 days of the 14 day period described above, or within 7 days of the confirmation or variation (whichever is earlier);
3. Fully state the grounds of your appeal.
The Chief Officer (or a delegate) will then consider whether your appeal is valid.
To do this, an investigation will be made of your case. In the course of the investigation, an officer of the Country Fire Authority may visit you to assess the matter.
When considering your appeal the Chief Officer (or a delegate) will take into account all relevant circumstances, including the proper needs of conservation, and any alternative means of addressing the threat of fire.
After considering the appeal, the Chief Officer (or a delegate) must either confirm, vary or cancel the notice.
You will be notified in writing of the decision.