Overstrand Municipality is reminding property owners and people responsible for vacant erven to keep their properties clear of overgrown vegetation and other materials that could increase the risk of fires spreading to neighbouring properties.
Following inspections, properties identified as fire hazards may be required to be cleared in line with the Municipality’s Community Fire Safety By-law and its policy on creating and maintaining fire-wise vacant erven in urban and suburban areas.
Property owners will be given 14 working days from the date of the notice to bring their properties into compliance.
Owners who intend to clear the property themselves or use a contractor must notify the Municipality in writing at least seven days before the compliance date, confirming that the property will be cleared by the required date.
What needs to be cleared?
The general requirements include:
* Cutting and removing invasive alien plants.
* Cutting grass to a maximum height of 500 mm.
* Reducing the density of herbaceous and woody indigenous vegetation by at least 50%.
* Removing deadwood and other combustible material from underneath trees and shrubs.
* Removing excessive growth from indigenous shrubs and trees up to a minimum height of 1.2 metres, where the tree is higher than 2 metres.
* Removing all garden refuse and other combustible material from the property.
* Ensuring that cut vegetation is not left on the property or placed on municipal road verges after clearing.
Where possible, manual clearing is preferred to help protect the environment, although appropriate methods may be used where necessary.
Property owners are also responsible for identifying any rare, endangered or protected plant species on their property. Owners who wish to have vegetation assessed by a specialist may do so at their own cost.
If the Municipality has to clear the property
If a property is not cleared within the required period and the Municipality has to undertake the work on behalf of the owner, the property owner will be held liable for all costs incurred by the Municipality in carrying out the clearing of the property.
The Municipality urges property owners not to wait until a notice is issued and to ensure that vacant properties are regularly maintained, particularly during periods of increased fire risk.
Residents are encouraged to report overgrown properties for inspection via the Citizen App or by emailing the Fire Safety Section at firesafety@overstrand.gov.za
