By JESSE GRAHAM
YARRA Ranges residents should finish their burning off before the end of May, with the council issuing a reminder that burning off is banned in residential zones over June and July.
On Monday 23 May, the Yarra Ranges Council released a reminder that burning off is prohibited in residential bushland areas through June and July.
Mayor Jason Callanan said the reason for the ban was because wood and organic material was wettest during these months, and would create “excessive smoke” when burnt.
“Burning wet material is prohibited under the local law,” he said.
“The law aims to strike a balance between burning off for fuel reduction purposes and reducing the impact of smoke on neighbours and the environment.
“Residents across the whole municipality may be affected, with Belgrave, Belgrave Heights, Belgrave South, Coldstream, East Warburton, Ferny Creek, Healesville, Kalorama, Kallista, Launching Places, Menzies Creek, Millgrove, Monbulk, Montrose, Mount Dandenong, Mount Evelyn, Olinda, Powelltown, Sassafras, Selby, Seville, Seville East, Sherbrooke, Tecoma, Upwey, Wandin North, Warburton, Wesburn, Woori Yallock, Yarra Glen and Yarra Junction being partially or completely residential zones.
Those in rural zones will still be permitted to burn off, for fire prevention purposes – however, burning off is also not allowed on Sundays, Smog Alert Days and Total Fire Ban Days in this zone.
For those in residential zones, the council suggested alternatives to burning, such as mulching, taking green waste to a waste transfer station or using a green waste bin.
