WITH bad forecasts predicted for this fire season I am encouraging residents to review their fire plans and start preparing for summer.
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Long grass should be reduced while it is green and kept maintained over the course of the season. This will reduce the fuel load and the risk of fires across the municipality.
Council staff will be commencing fire inspections during November, stressing the importance of being fire ready.
To help in your preparation, free waste vouchers will be available on the council website from November 1 to January 31. The vouchers will also feature in October’s edition of the Ararat Active Focus in the Ararat Advertiser.
Fire preparedness flyers will be sent out in the next couple of weeks and will include valuable information and messages from our emergency management team and CFA.
Council has also reviewed the six Ararat Rural City Neighbourhood Safer Places at this week’s meeting. Ararat Town Hall, Elmhurst Mechanics Institute, Lake Bolac Recreation Reserve, Moyston Recreation Reserve, Streatham Memorial Hall and Willaura Memorial Hall will be designated sites in the event of an emergency.
Moyston Fire Recovery work is continuing with the completion of roadside clearance and re-sheeting of roads that were affected by the January fires.
As part of the Municipal Bushfire Relief and Recovery Plan for Moyston, the Community Advisory and Social Recovery Committees are working on projects to meet community needs moving forward.
A fire preparedness evening will be held on Friday, October 9 at 6pm at the Moyston Recreation Reserve. This will provide information and discussions around fire preparedness, with displays of local products to assist properties in preparing for the coming season.
The Ararat Rural City Recreation and Aquatic Centre has received a fresh new name as it transitions to new management under Unified Community Sports and Leisure (UCSL).
The centre will now be known as the Ararat Fitness Centre. The name was chosen for its simplicity and to capture the broad range of activities at the centre which people can participate in.
- Cr Paul Hooper, Mayor