Request for Travel for Fire Season Preparation Information

Melbourne residents who own properties within a Bushfire Prone Area, or has a Bushfire Management Overlay, in Colac Otway Shire can apply for a Letter of Approval to travel to the Shire for Fire Season Preparation to undertake necessary fire prevention work during COVID19 restrictions. 

Please read the following information before applying for a Letter of Approval to travel to the Colac Otway Shire.

If your request is approved, a pdf of your Letter of Approval and permit documents will be sent to the email supplied in your application.

Before applying for permission to travel to Colac Otway Shire to get fire ready, please consider engaging a local contractor to conduct the work on the property.

Travelling to Get Fire Ready

  • Melbourne residents have a maximum of 72 hours from the time they leave their primary residence, to the time they return to their property back in Melbourne, providing they are carrying out fire prevention work such as mowing, trimming, and clearing gutters. Travel may begin from Monday, 11 October, 2021.

  •  Each visit will require a separate request.

  • Melbourne residents must also adhere to metro restrictions while in Colac Otway Shire for fire prevention purposes. They may buy takeaway food but must not dine-in at cafes, for example, and local businesses will be asking for contact details of anyone dining-in.

  • Property owners will need to provide their Rates Assessment Number details as a requirement of their application to prove they own the property.

  • Visiting ratepayers can only bring people from their household and must nominate who they are on the request form. Their names will be included on the letter.

  • Colac Otway Shire Council will issue these letters of approval, when validated, along with advice from the Victorian Chief Health Officer and Victoria Police as soon as possible in accordance with State Government advice.

  • Colac Otway Shire Council will endeavour to issue letters of approval via email within three working days of receiving and validating your online request. If you do not receive confirmation of your approval or rejection of request within three days, please email inq@colacotway.vic.gov.au

  • Anyone who is unwell should get tested and stay home; and not attend their secondary property even if they have a letter of approval.

For information on preparing your property for fire season, visit our Getting Fire Ready page.

Find out if your property has a Bushfire Management Overlay or is located in a Bushfire Prone Area. Visit VicPlan, type in your address and view the Bushfire layer.

Apply Now

Frequently Asked Questions

Can property owners attend the property if it is occupied?

A property owner may attend their property to undertake critical emergency preparedness activities if approved by council, even if it is occupied, where this also meets the requirements of the rental agreement. While undertaking the work, the property owner must keep 1.5 metres distance from any occupant of the property and wear a face mask. In these circumstances; property owners are encouraged to consider the use of contractors, local businesses or their tenants to undertake necessary preparedness work.

Can property owners attend the property if there is no house?

Owners are only able to travel if they can stay overnight at the property or complete all required work on the same day.

Can property owners attend shops in regional Victoria for supplies to undertake the preparation (e.g. tools)?

No. When travelling into regional Victoria, any person from metropolitan Melbourne must comply with the restrictions in place in metropolitan Melbourne.

Any person from regional Victoria travelling to an additional property in metropolitan Melbourne must comply with the restrictions in place in metropolitan Melbourne.

This means the owner will not be able to visit local businesses to purchase supplies. The owner should travel with the tools and equipment they need. The use of local contractors is strongly encouraged.

Can an owner attend their property multiple times to undertake preparedness works?

Yes, the owner can apply for additional approval to travel if required.

 

 

Waste & Recyling

Visit Colac Otway Shire's Waste & Recyling pages to find out how to dispose of your rubbish.

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