Council & Business
28 October, 2025
Council makes green waste disposal free for short time ahead of fire season
Central Goldfields Shire Council will make green waste disposal free from October 31 to November 11 ahead of a hotter and “challenging” fire season.
Central Goldfields Shire Council will soon offer free green waste disposal ahead of a hotter and “challenging” fire season.
From October 31 to November 11, green waste disposal will be free at Carisbrook, Talbot, and Dunolly transfer stations.
The initiative aims to support residents to get fire ready ahead of the fire danger period beginning on November 10.
Central Goldfields Shire mayor Grace La Vella said it was important the community start preparing now.
“It’s important that we take a whole-of-community approach to protecting our community from fire — council, CFA, state authorities and landowners — we all have a part to play and the time to start is now before the weather gets too hot,” she said.
While the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) are currently predicting a hotter-than-normal summer, others are predicting increased fire risk for the region.
If a spring rainfall doesn’t come, according to the Australian and New Zealand Council for fire and emergency services, the region will see an increased fire risk during spring.
This is because surface moisture is hiding a deeper drying caused by a long term lack of rainfall over the last year or more.
“We’re on the cusp of what the [BOM] is predicting is likely to be a challenging fire season for Victorians,” CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said.
But it’s a challenge the community can reduce with CFA Group Officer Peter Higgins encouraging residents to start cleaning up.
“Come into the winter and ... people think because we’ve got rain it’s not a priority but all of a sudden it will dry, and it will get hot, and it could be too late,” he said.
Carisbrook Fire Brigade Captain Ian Boucher said it’s also about making fire fighting easier for local brigades.
“It’s not just the grass too, it’s the overhanging branches. If we’re trying to get into your property with a firetruck they’re rather large vehicles so we need to have good access,” he said.
The CFA recommend driveways longer than 30 metres need to be 3.5 metres wide, plus another 0.5 metres on either side clear of obstructions like gate posts or bushes.
They also need to be clear of obstructions for four metres high.
Council are also joining residents in getting fire ready, Cr La Vella said, ahead of a higher fire risk for the shire.
“Our operations team have commenced work on our fuel reduction program with tree trimming around powerlines and weed spraying and soon extensive slashing of all council roadside and open grassed areas will commence,” she said.
According to council, they’re also required under State Government legislation to conduct fire hazard inspections on private property.
Cr La Vella said between November and April each year, council’s Municipal Fire Prevention Officer (MFPO) inspects properties within the shire to ensure they’re maintained to minimise fire risk.
“Within the Fire Danger Period, properties identified as being high fire risk will be issued with a Fire Prevention Notice to carry out works on their property by a specific date,” she said.
“If the landholder fails to comply, we will appoint a contractor to complete the works and invoice the landowner for the costs and possibly issue fines.”
Residents are encouraged to make the most of free green waste disposal and prepare for this fire season by:
Clearing undergrowth, bark and fallen branches
Moving firewood and other combustibles away from their home
Cleaning out gutters and drains
Pruning low branches near buildings and fence lines
Keeping grass and weeds low
For further information on how to prepare your property for the fire season visit: www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare