DOMESTIC green waste disposal will cost residents nothing at the City of Ballarat Transfer station for one week from this Saturday.<\/p>\n
With the fire danger period edging closer, the council is asking people to identify fire risks at their homes and on their land.<\/p>\n
If the clearance of long grass, wood or other flammable materials is required, residents are encouraged to take that waste to the tip for free between Saturday, 23 and Friday, 29 November.<\/p>\n
City of Ballarat\u2019s Director, Infrastructure and Environment, Terry Demeo said the city\u2019s winter and spring rains have brought lots of green growth, and when left around homes and properties, this can end in devastation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith that comes a significant fire load, and as part of any fire management plan, clean up is a significant component, so we\u2019re encouraging people to do that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe think making the drop-off of green waste free is a significant incentive that will help people get out and get active in that clean up this late Spring, to be in a better position come fire season<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone should use their best endeavours to clean up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Some residents may be alternatively planning to burn off green waste under a Schedule 13 Permit to Burn.<\/p>\n
CFA District 15 (Ballarat) Commander, David Mounier said they need to be acutely aware of permit conditions and those of the environment.<\/p>\n
\u201cTake care and don\u2019t get over ambitious,\u201d he said. \u201cMake two piles. A small pile with your fire, and another pile with material that you\u2019ll feed the fire from. It\u2019s going to be easier to control, contain and extinguish.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s very important that people comply with the conditions of their permit, and remain aware of the local weather conditions, particularly the day they\u2019re planning to burn, and the days following.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou might think your burn off\u2019s extinguished but then it might pop up tomorrow in high winds and temperatures,\u201d Mr Mounier said.<\/p>\n
If weather conditions change or a total fire ban day is called when someone has planned a burn off, their permit will be suspended.<\/p>\n