Fire prevention invoice queries

The City does send out invoices for fire hazard removal on private land. The invoice is not a fine. It is an account for fire hazard removal works undertaken by the City on behalf of the landowner and it incorporates an administration fee.

Submit a query

If you have received an invoice for fire hazard removal works you can submit your queries online.

Explanation of your invoice

You have received an invoice because you failed to comply with the work specified in a Fire Prevention Notice that was sent to you by the City. The Fire Prevention Notice included details on the timeframe and types of works to be undertaken.

As these works were not undertaken in the specified time frame, the City carried out the works on your behalf.

Fire Prevention Notices are issued by the City under the Country Fire Authority Act 1958 or Fire Rescue Victoria Act 1958 to ensure that necessary steps are taken to protect your life and property and the wider community. 

Clear explanatory notes were included with the Fire Prevention Notice. This included that if the work was not completed by the date on the notice, the Municipal Fire Prevention Officer, or an agent acting on behalf of the City, may enter your land and take the necessary steps to complete the works (as allowed per section 118 of the Local Government Act 2020).

There is no legal process to appeal this invoice as costs have now been incurred by the City per the CFA ActFRV Act and Local Government Act and must be paid. However, the City does welcome any queries you may have.

If a property owner fails to pay this invoice, they can be taken to court by the City to recover the cost including any interest accrued on the money owed (as allowed per section 118 of the Local Government Act 2020).

The City will review all invoice queries and provide a written response within 30 days.

Circumstances that may be considered

These circumstances may be considered in relation to your invoice received for fire hazard removal on your property:

  • You received an invoice for a property that you do not own
  • You received an invoice for a property that you did not own prior to the date on the original Fire Prevention Notice (i.e. recent purchase)
  • You had been approved for an extension of time to complete, however the works were undertaken before this agreed date
  • You are experiencing financial hardship and require a payment plan

Circumstances that will not be considered

  • Objecting to the works is not grounds for query as the opportunity to appeal the notice has passed
  • Circumstances as to why you had not completed the work by the due date is not grounds for an alteration to the invoice
  • Having been away and not receiving the notice as a result, is not grounds for an alteration to the invoice. All property owners are legally required to maintain their property to reduce fire hazard and risk to neighbouring properties and the community
  • Stating that tenants or another party should have done the work is not grounds for an alteration to the invoice as it is the obligation of the property owner to ensure that the works occur
  • Not seeing photographic evidence is not grounds for an alteration to the invoice, however you can apply to see the photographs
  • Not having provided permission for the works to occur is not grounds for an alteration to the invoice as the City can legally enter your land and take the steps specified to complete the works (as allowed under sections 225 and 232 of the Local Government Act 1989)