Shire flooded with calls for Covid permits

Bass Coast Shire Council has received more than 2500 enquiries about the new fire permit process.

Last week the state government announced Melbourne holiday homeowners will be allowed to visit their properties in regional Victoria to make sure they were fire or flood ready.

Owners with property in Bass Coast will be able to apply for written formal approval from the council to visit the area.

There was a frantic scramble last week to work out the process for the new permits.

At the time, CEO Ali Wastie said they were “working on setting up the application process for Travel Exemption Permits and determining how they will be assessed”.

An application form was posted on the council’s website last Thursday afternoon, along with information about who could apply.

Ms Wastie called on people to be patient as the permit applications were assessed.

“Given that we’re expecting a high volume of applications, we’re asking people to please be patient while we work our way through them. Applications may take up to five business days to complete.
“There will be no charge for permits. Our webpage is the best place for the community to go for the most up-to-date information,” she said.

“In line with the guidance provided by Local Government Victoria, we will be issuing permits to properties partially or wholly situated in a bushfire prone area, Bushfire Management Overlay or Land Subject to Inundation Overlay.

“These areas have been determined using scientific information and data, taking into account factors such as weather, topography and vegetation. Bushfire hazard data is developed by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) and verified in collaboration with CFA and Council.”

Property owners can check online which overlays applied to their property.

The website states owners of vacant blocks or properties without houses are not able to camp or stay in caravans on their properties. Owners who receive a permit cannot visit local businesses to purchase supplies, tools or equipment.

There is a 72-hour limit on visits, with vacant landowners and tenanted properties only allowed 24 hours to complete the work. However, owners can visit more than once, but must apply for additional permits.

Council advised anyone unable to travel to Bass Coast to maintain their property could look online for “local slashing and gardening businesses that provide grass cutting services”.

The pressure to secure a permit may have eased slightly after the Premier announced on Monday the lockdown in Melbourne has been lifted. Melbourne moves to Step Three this week, but the 25km travel restriction and the "ring of steel" around Melbourne remains in place.

However this is due to be abolished on November 8, at which time people from Melbourne will be free to travel to their properties.

Permit process

Normally the council, in conjunction with the CFA would issue Fire Prevention Notices to property owners, compelling them to clean up around their property.

This year, due to the Covid restrictions, the process has been reversed.

Owners wanting to check their property will need to provide relevant details to the council, including the type of work needed and the date of the visit, to be issued a permit.

Any resident of metropolitan Melbourne visiting their regional properties will be required to comply with the restrictions in place in Melbourne. This includes not dining in at local cafes, hotels or restaurants.

Announcing the new permit process, Premier Daniel Andrews warned residents of metropolitan Melbourne it was “not an invitation to use this as an opportunity to travel to regional Victoria”.

Residents who live in regional Victoria can travel to a second property, holiday home or business in regional Victoria to prepare it for an emergency.

Council will also continue to issue Fire Prevention Notices where it is deemed necessary to place an obligation on property owners. Residents issued with a Fire Prevention Notice are legally bound to oblige and can travel to their property to clean it up.

Details of the permit application process are available on the Bass Coast Shire Council website.