Did You Know - Fire Fuel Loads

Published on 30 October 2026

Council Prepared for Roadside Fire Risk

Yarriambiack Shire Council carries out annual roadside fire prevention works to reduce risk during the fire danger period and help protect residents, homes, farmland, crops and community assets.

Council’s fire prevention works are delivered through its Municipal Fire Management planning and Assets and Operations Guidelines, providing a coordinated, risk-based approach to managing roadside fire risk across the Shire.

Council’s fire prevention program includes:

• Slashing and spraying along councils sealed road network (825km), with works programmed where practicable before the Fire Danger Period.
• Maintaining roadside vegetation along sealed roads to a target width of 3 metres from the edge of seal, with dry vegetation maintained at 100mm or less where reasonably practicable.
• Prioritising strategic fire breaks, high-risk locations, high-use routes and access to firefighting water tanks and hydrants.
• Targeted spraying around roadside infrastructure, intersections and locations where vegetation may affect safety.
• Fire hazard inspections of private properties, particularly in high-risk areas and townships, with fire prevention notices issued where required.

Status: Council's roadside spraying and slashing program is progressing across the Shire, with works being prioritised ahead of the Fire Danger Period.  Aiming for completion over next 4 weeks.

• Northern: Spraying of the sealed road network is complete, with slashing of sealed roads, town entrances and priority intersections to continue over the next four weeks.
• Central: Slashing has been underway for the past two months and is continuing around Sheep Hills, with an increased focus on completing priority areas over the coming four weeks.
• Southern: Slashing planned to commence Monday 26 October and will be coordinated with the roadside spraying program, progressing from Horsham-Lubeck Road north towards Minyip-Dimboola Road.

Not every roadside presents the same fire risk, so Council targets works where they are most needed.  Priorities are based on local fire risk, the importance of the route, seasonal conditions and available resources, rather than applying the same treatment across the entire road network.

Roadside vegetation management forms part of Council’s broader fire management approach, delivered in coordination with fire and emergency management agencies. Residents can report a specific roadside fire risk to Council, including the location and a brief description, so it can be assessed and prioritised.