Alpine Shire Council will hold a free green waste weekend at its Mount Beauty, Myrtleford and Porepunkah transfer stations on 14 and 15 November 2026, from 10am to 2pm. Mayor Sarah Nicholas urged residents to clear their properties before the declared fire season. The Country Fire Authority advises moving flammable items away from houses, clearing dry debris, keeping grass under 10cm and cleaning gutters. Each customer may bring up to two cubic metres per day. Branches must be 200mm or less in diameter, and stumps will not be accepted.
A new report commissioned by Emergency Leaders for Climate Action says Australia's fire seasons have lengthened by 21 per cent since 1979. The group estimates the longer seasons could cost the economy $6 billion a year over the next 30 years. Most of that cost is linked to harm to health and wellbeing. Former Fire and Rescue NSW commissioner Greg Mullins says better protection of homes and infrastructure could avoid $600 million in losses each year.
Hepburn Shire Council will accept grass and branches from shrubs and trees at its transfer stations as the fire season approaches. The free service will run for the whole of November, and residents are urged not to leave clean-up until the last minute, as vegetation dries out quickly. The councillor says the council is not broke and has the funds to keep serving the community, but it must focus on essentials rather than large buildings. He encourages residents and businesses who are behind on rates to contact the council about a payment plan.
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Colac and district residents are encouraged to get ready early for the upcoming fire season. Local brigades are holding Get Fire Ready events, with Otway Fire Brigade member Stewart Hunt pictured.
Bushfire mitigation works will begin at Port Denison on Monday 19 October and run for about a week. An authorised contractor, Regional Mulching WA, will remove weeds, invasive species, dead limbs and tree material. Work will take place from 7am to 4pm. Mulching will also be carried out on Retreat Boulevard. Residents are asked to keep clear of machinery and work zones.
Volunteers from the Nerrena Fire Brigade are running a Get Fire Ready drop-in session this Sunday, October 18, between 10am and 2pm. Residents can learn how to prepare their property, create a bushfire management plan and make informed decisions about their safety. Brigade Captain Samantha Smith said the session will also cover keeping fire trucks able to reach properties and making roadside numbers clearly visible. The brigade urges residents to understand their own fire risk, as each town, property and community differs.
Property owners are being urged to prepare their land before the fire danger period, which has not yet been announced. Council asks residents to slash grass, remove leaf litter, clean gutters, clear fallen branches and maintain defendable space around homes and outbuildings. Council also warns that grass build-up around engines and exhaust systems can ignite, so residents are asked to clean mowers, tractors and slashers and store equipment clear of vegetation. Mayor Naomi Joiner thanked residents for their efforts. Property fire hazard inspections will start in late October and continue through the fire danger period.
Ararat Rural City Council is urging residents to start preparing their homes, gardens, farms and rural properties for the coming fire season. Suggested steps include clearing long grass, removing leaves and bark, pruning branches and testing water tanks, pumps and firefighting equipment. Council will carry out annual fire prevention inspections later in the season. Eligible properties in high to extreme fire risk areas can receive green waste vouchers to help with clean-up costs. Residents can contact the council's Customer Service team for eligibility advice.
Riverine Grazier journalist Kimberly Grabham has been named a finalist for the 2026 Country Press NSW Journalist of the Year award. The paper was also named a finalist for Best Digital Presence. Hay Plains Landcare hosted a wildflower walk at Oolambeyan National Park on 29 September, where participants recorded plant and wildlife sightings. A live Bell's phase lace monitor also appeared at the Hay Show. In Moulamein, fire season permits are now required to burn off.
Hills Shire Council and the NSW Rural Fire Service have partnered to deliver the free Four Weeks to Fire Ready program. Each week covers a step, from discussing family plans and preparing homes to understanding fire danger ratings and finding reliable information. A Community Preparedness Survey gives participants a personalised score and suggested actions. Mayor Michelle Byrne says preparation is especially important this season, as forecasts point to hotter and drier conditions that can raise bush fire risk.
Glenelg Shire Council is offering free green waste disposal at all its waste management facilities from Saturday 24 October to Wednesday 4 November. Mayor Karen Stephens said the service helps residents clear dry vegetation and reduce fire risks around their homes. Council's Local Laws team is also starting its annual fire prevention inspections across the shire, and residents are reminded to keep properties free of excessive vegetation. Only household garden waste from Glenelg Shire residents and ratepayers is accepted, up to one cubic metre per customer.
