Preparing for fire season with free green waste week

The City of Ballarat is helping residents prepare their properties for the upcoming fire season with free green waste week.  
 
Between Saturday 12 November and Sunday 20 November, residents can drop off their domestic green waste free of charge at City of Ballarat Transfer Station.  
 
Despite recent and forecasted wet weather, it is important residents are prepared for the upcoming fire season. Now is the time to identify risks on your property and prepare to reduce the spread, speed and intensity of fire by clearing your property of long grass and flammable material.  
 
City of Ballarat Mayor, Daniel Moloney, said recent wet weather does not mean the risk of fire this summer has disappeared.  
 
“Wet conditions can encourage vegetation growth, meaning there may be more flammable material come fire season,” he said.  
 
“Preparing your property now can minimise risk.”  
 
Green waste must be separated from other waste and loads must not exceed three cubic metres. Green waste may include prunings, small branches, grass, leaves and flowers. Fruit and vegetable scraps, food waste, plastic pots and bags, glass, metal or tin, and building rubble cannot be disposed in green waste. 
 
Each year, around 10,000 tonnes of green waste from Ballarat households is processed and sold to agricultural and residential markets. 
 
Residents who bring non-green waste and mixed loads will be charged at normal rates. 
 
Some items can be disposed of at City of Ballarat Transfer Station at no cost. These include household kerbside recycling material, paper, cardboard, glass, plastic containers (numbers one and two in the triangle), empty (triple rinsed) agricultural chemical containers, metal, steel, aluminium and cooking oil. Conditions apply on volumes, size, product types, time of year or eligible persons.  
 
The City of Ballarat Transfer Station is located at 119 Gillies Street South Alfredton. 

During November, City of Ballarat Transfer Station opening hours are 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday and 10am to 4pm, Saturday and Sunday.