Council
3 October, 2025
Free green waste disposal to prepare for fire
CORANGAMITE Shire Council is encouraging residents to reduce potential fire fuel around their homes ahead of fire season.
Emergency Management Victoria has predicted an early start to the fire season this spring, possibly as soon as October in some parts of the state.
Despite the Bureau of Meteorology predicting higher-than-average rainfall between now and the end of the year, much of the shire still has a heightened fire risk following two years of drought.
Householders can drop off their domestic green waste from October 4 to October 26 inclusive – this excludes commercial customers.
In addition, kerbside collection customers can jump-start their fire safety clean-ups thanks to extra lidded Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) bin pick-ups.
The green-lidded FOGO bins will be collected weekly, instead of fortnightly, from Monday, October 5 until the end of the year.
Manager environment and emergency Belinda Bennett said non-commercial customers could drop off green waste at the Naroghid Landfill and all shire transfer stations.
“The free green waste drop off is to encourage residents to clean up their properties in preparation for the fire season,” she said.
“Recent rain has greened things up on the surface, but a lack of deep soil moisture means it won’t take much hot, dry weather for new growth to dry off and become a serious hazard.”
Ms Bennett said preparation was key for the upcoming fire season.
“Now is the time to reduce fuel loads by managing grass growth and cleaning up bark, twigs, leaves and other organic matter around your property,” she said.
“Clear out your guttering and get rid of dry grass, leaves and twigs and bark that can build up in corners or under steps and decks.
“Prune any branches hanging over your buildings or ground vegetation.
“Normally a heaped trailer or ute load of green waste would cost $38.80 to dispose of, so this is a great chance for people to clean-up around their properties for free.
“One overgrown block can pose a hazard to a whole neighbourhood so protect your home, and your neighbours, and clean up now.”
Ms Bennett encouraged residents to have a fire plan and know what to do if there is a fire.
“Now is the best time to understand your fire risk and get prepared, not when a fire starts,” she said.
“You can download a helpful guide from cfa.vic.gov.au/firereadykit.
“We are looking to commence fire inspections in early October.”
For more information about fire prevention, visit corangamite.vic.gov.au/Fire-ready or call 5593 7100.