By DANI ROTHWELL
CARDINIA Council is proposing to change its open air burning policy to allow burning off of waste on a Sunday.
The council is seeking feedback by Monday 24 August from Cardinia residents about the proposed changes.
Some of these changes involve including maps of burning off zones, allowing burning off on Sundays and including a section on enforcement and complaints.
Mayor Cr Leticia Wilmot urged residents to provide feedback on the policy.
“Anyone who intends to burn off should make themselves familiar with the policy and are encouraged to provide their feedback on the proposed changes,” she said.
“We want this policy to help residents prepare and maintain their properties to reduce the risk of fire across the shire, as well as protect other residents from potential impacts.”
Gazette Facebook commentators noted that burning off on a Sunday was sometimes the only opportunity.
Nada Uzarevic said “Sunday is our only day off – working six days a week makes it very hard to burn off”.
Pam Cartledge said: “People who work Monday-Friday only have the weekend to do these sort of jobs. Clean up on Saturday, burn off on Sunday. If they have to wait for the following week during winter, it’s often been rained on and is too wet to burn”.
Annie Lamb noted that it could be problematic in suburbia.
“In non-built up areas I think its fine. Not a fan of big burn-offs in suburbia because my son and I both have asthma,” she said.
“It is also important than residents understand that allowing more opportunities to burn off green waste and vegetation will lead to increased smoke. So if you are concerned about this, please provide your feedback,” Cr Wilmot added.
Those wanting to provide feedback can do so by emailing fire@cardinia.vic.gov.au
