Fire Prevention

Fire Prevention Notices – What You Need to Know

If there are fire hazards on your property (like long grass or flammable materials), you might receive a Fire Prevention Notice. This notice will explain what work needs to be done to reduce the risk of a fire starting.

Why You Might Get a Notice
Delegated Municipal Fire Prevention Officers issue these notices to help keep everyone safe — including you, your property, and the wider community.

What You Need to Do
As the property owner, it’s your responsibility to:

• Get the listed work done by the due date on the notice.

• Keep your property fire-safe for the whole fire season.

Got Questions?
If you’re unsure about anything on the notice, or need more information, call Community Safety Officers on 5382 9777 — before the due date.

You can talk to us about: 

• Keeping livestock on your property

• Plans to cut hay

If the Work Isn’t Done
If the work isn’t completed:

• Council may hire a contractor to do it, and the charges will be forwarded onto the property owner.

• You may also receive an Infringement Notice.

You can check out our Fire Prevention Notice FAQ below or visit the Council’s Customer Service Centre for more info.

Fire Prevention Notices FAQ(PDF, 163KB)

You may receive an Infringement Notice for various offences, such as:

• Breach of Horsham Rural City Council Local Laws
• Offences under the Country Fire Authority Act

 What You Can Do If You Receive an Infringement Notice

You have a few options:

1. Pay the Fine

You can choose to pay the infringement by the due date listed on the notice.

2. Request a Court Hearing

If you want the matter to be considered in court:

• You must make the request in writing
• Your request must be received before the due date

3. Object to the infringement notice:

You can object to the 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, Burwood 3215, 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 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.

Council is offering all ratepayers with a Garbage or Recycling charge listed on the front of their rate notice one free load of waste in a 6’x 4’ trailer or a car boot.

Further information can be found here

For information on what can be recycled in your FOGO bin, click here.

For all other information relating to items taken to the Transfer Station, click here.

Alternatively, download our HRCC Waste app to find all information about waste, including setting a bin night reminder.

click here to find out more

During routine property inspections, our Community Safety Officers often find that residents are concerned about fire hazards—especially when it comes to overgrown neighbouring properties.

If you notice an overgrown property in your area, there are a few steps you can take:

1. Talk to your neighbour
If it feels appropriate, try having a friendly conversation. Sometimes property owners may be unable to maintain their yards due to health, age, or other personal reasons. You might be able to offer help or connect them with support services.

2. Contact Council
If speaking with your neighbour isn’t possible or doesn’t resolve the issue, you can report the property to Council.

• Your personal information may be requested but will remain confidential.

• You can report an overgrown property by submitting a request online here or by calling Council on (03) 5382 9777.

Working together helps keep our neighbourhoods safe and looking their best—especially during fire season.