Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) crews will start cutting grass on public land across the Murray Goldfields District to help reduce bushfire risk ahead of summer.
FFMVic Murray Goldfields District Manager, Aaron Gay, said crews will slash around 1400 hectares in the coming weeks, which is equivalent to more than 110 Melbourne Cricket Grounds of grass.
Works will take place across Bendigo, Castlemaine, Maldon, Chewton, Charlton, Inglewood, Wedderburn, St Arnaud, Heathcote, Rushworth, Avoca, Kyneton, Macedon and surrounding areas.
"Grass slashing works are carefully timed to align with the anticipated increase in grass growth," Mr Gay said.
"If slashing is carried out too early, it will encourage regrowth and require additional treatment later."
Mr Gay said the program is designed to help reduce bushfire risk on public land and support broader community safety outcomes.
"Our fuel management program seeks to reduce bushfire risk to communities and the environment by reducing the amount of fuel available to burn during a fire," he said.
"Reducing fuels such as grass, leaves and fallen branches can help make fires less intense and easier for firefighters to contain.
Mr Gay said reducing bushfire risk is a shared responsibility.
"We encourage residents to keep grass short, remove leaves and twigs from the yard and clear flammable materials from around their homes."
Forest Fire Management Victoria crews undertake fire preparedness work throughout the year, including slashing, mulching and other fuel management activities to reduce the risk posed by bushfires and grassfires to our communities.
For more information on how we manage the risk of bushfires, please visit: Managing bushfire risk
For more information on how to prepare you property for bushfire, please visit: CFA - Fire Ready Kit
Farmers, find out how to prepare your animals and property and build a fire plan for bushfire season.
Page last updated: 23/09/26