More than 300 Wyndham landholders have been fined for failing to clean up fire hazards on vacant blocks.
Most of the notices issued by Wyndham council after the latest round of inspections ending November 20 were for properties in Point Cook.
But chief executive Kerry Thompson said fire risks for properties on the city’s rural fringe had been significantly reduced by works on the Regional Rail Link.
“The fire risk to Wyndham’s rural outskirts has been significantly reduced by the ongoing construction works on the Regional Rail Link, which have created a wide, sweeping fire break across the north and west of the city,” she said.
Ms Thompson said the council had issued 308 infringement notices to landowners. Those issued with notices were fined $200 and are required to clean up their properties within 21 days. Failure to do so will result in the council carrying out the work and billing the owners.
“Works to clean up some of the properties that received infringements in the latest round of inspections are ongoing, but on past trends about half of all residential blocks and one in every 100 rural blocks require council intervention,” she said.
“Wyndham City conducts regular inspections of vacant land with landowners required to maintain grass and under- growth to a height of no more than 150 millimetres and keep their land clear of any fire hazard, noxious weeds, litter or rubbish.
“There are currently 6177 vacant lots in Wyndham City and all landowners [of these lots] are sent a letter one month prior to inspections, which generally take place in March and October.”
Ms Thompson said the council had a legal obligation to enforce CFA requirements and local laws relating to the removal of fire hazards on all properties.
“All rural properties in Wyndham City are required to have fire breaks. However, some exemptions apply, such as properties with crops and stock.”
