Latrobe City faces a mix of bushland, grassland, farmland and urban environments - all of which can be at risk during Victoria’s fire season. Preparing your property early reduces danger to your home, your neighbours, and the wider community.
This page explains how to prepare your land, what Council requires during the Fire Danger Period, and where to find reliable information.
Is Your Property Ready for Fire Season?
Simple preparation can make a major difference during a bushfire or grassfire. If you can, create a firebreak around your home and outbuildings.
Around the Home
- Store fuel, firewood, gas bottles, paints and chemicals away from the house.
- Trim branches, clear gutters, and remove leaf litter and rubbish.
- Keep grass short.
- Trim shrubs close to the home and remove flammable materials around buildings.
- Fit wire screens to doors, windows and vents, and seal gaps under eaves and around the subfloor.
- Keep a ladder accessible for roof access.
- Ensure hoses can reach all parts of the house and garden. If you are not connected to mains water, consider a high pressure pump.
- Check that your insurance covers bushfire risk.
- Write a fire plan.
A list of local contractors who can assist with property preparation is available below;
Fire Prevention Inspections and Notices
Council’s Fire Prevention Inspection Program (FPIP) typically runs from 1 November to 31 March, aligning with the CFA declared declared Fire Danger Period.
Council officers conduct proactive inspections and respond to community complaints. If a fire hazard is identified, one of the following may be issued:
Fire Prevention Notice (FPN)
Issued under the CFA Act 1958/FRV Act 1958 for rural, semirural, urban fringe and bushfire rural and bushfireprone prone areas. An FPN will:
- Specify required works (e.g. slashing, clearing around buildings).
- Provide a compliance date (typically 14–21 days).
- Apply only to vegetation that creates a fire risk.
Notice to Comply (NTC)
Issued under Local Law No. 2 in urban and residential areas (generally these properties are more than two streets away from bushfire risk). An NTC:
- Directs the owner to remedy a Local Law breach.
- Works must be completed by the compliance date.
- Extension requests must be made in writing before the due date.
- Non-compliance may result in fines, forced clearance, and cost recovery.
If You Receive a Notice
- Works must be completed by the compliance date.
- Extension requests must be made in writing before the due date.
- FPNs may be formally objected to within 7 days; appeals can be made to the Coordinator Emergency Management by emailing EmergencyManagementAdmin@latrobe.vic.gov.au
- Non compliance may result in fines, forced clearance, and cost recovery.
Burning Off – What You Need to Know
Burning off in Latrobe City is regulated under the CFA Act, FRV Act, EPA requirements, and Latrobe City Council Local Law No. 2.
During the Fire Danger Period (FDP)
- A CFA or FRV issued permit is required to burn off.
- Burning without a permit is an offence.
- All open air fires are prohibited on Total Fire Ban days.
- Burns must be registered with the Burn Off Notification Line 1800 668 511.
Outside the Fire Danger Period
Burning off is still regulated by Local Law No. 2.
Burning off is not permitted:
- In township areas of Churchill, Moe, Morwell, Traralgon, Yallourn North, Yinnar, Boolarra, Glengarry, Toongabbie, Tyers and Traralgon South.
- Within 500 metres of a residential area.
If burning is permitted on your land, you must:
- Burn only dry, untreated vegetation from your property.
- Create a 3 metre firebreak around the burn area.
- Supervise the fire at all times.
- Have adequate water and firefighting tools on site.
- Light the fire after 7am and extinguish it before nightfall.
- Ensure the fire is fully out before leaving.
Burning prohibited materials (household waste, plastics, treated timber, chemicals, timber pallets) may result in fines and enforcement action.